Introduction: The current study was designed to detect Mycoplasma agalactiae (Ma), Mycoplasma mycoides subsp. capri (Mmc), Mycoplasma capricolum subsp. capricolum (Mcc) and Mycoplasma putrefaciens (Mp) in sheep and goats with clinical signs consistent with contagious agalactia.
Material and Methods: A total of 299 samples were collected from 55 mixed herds in Azarbaijan-e-Sharghi province, Iran. Samples were examined using PCR and culture methods.
Results: The findings showed that in 40 herds at least one sample was positive by PCR or culture method. Moreover, out of 274 sheep samples, 101 were proved to be positive using the PCR technique and 76 were found positive using the culture method. Out of 25 goat samples, 10 were found positive using PCR and 9 were positive through the culture method. Less than 20% of isolated mycoplasmas were Ma. Ma was detected from almost all studied regions in the province while Mmc, Mcc, and Mp were detected only in a very limited area that was deemed by the research group the mixed infection zone.
Conclusion: In vaccination or eradication projects, it would be more economical to focus on mixed infection zones. Further investigation on mixed infection zones could facilitate better understanding of contagious agalactia epidemiology.
