Abstract

DNA amplification technique which is called PCR is a precise and specific test method and nowadays is also used for identification of Mycoplasma, the causative agent of contagious agalactia in sheep and goats. It also avoids the antigenic cross reaction and variability that hamper serological methods. Several sets of primers are available for different members of Mycoplasma such as Mycoplasma agalactia, Mycoplasma capricolum, Mycoplasma mycoides, and Mycoplasma putrifaciens, which cause the enzootic infections frequently, in some area of Iran, even in Ahvaz, the central city of Khuzestan province. Several methods for the detection of Mycoplasma such as culturing and serological tests have been published. These tests would require by making the culture media (agar and liquid media), time consuming about (3 to 5 weeks to grow detectable colony), and even some Mycoplasma species were difficult to detect with these methods. A specific PCR assay was developed as a diagnostic test, for detection ofMycoplasma infections, carried out for evaluating 47 samples of synovial fluid, milk and eye swabs from sheep's and goats which about 19.1% of them were showed positive forM. agalactia. According to our results only few samples grew in culture, (8.51%). Use of PCR test with high specificity and sensitivity for detection of Mycoplasma has become increasingly widespread, therefore for a quick detection of infection caused by M. agalactia, PCR test application is recommended.

Key words: Sheep, goat, milk, Mycoplasma, contagious agalactia.