Mixed infection of Mycoplasma and bacteria of the respiratory tract of sheep with reference to the histopathological picture in Sharkia Governorate

Abstract

The current study deals with the prevalence of Mycoplasma mixed with Escherichia coli, Klebsiella sp. and Pseudomonas sp. causing respiratory diseases in sheep in different farms at Al-Sharkia Governorate. Biochemical and serotyping identifications revealed the presence of M. ovipneumoniae, E. coli of different serotypes, K. pneumoniae, K.oxytoca and P. aeuroginosa. The prevalence rates differ from one bacterial agent to another. M. ovipneumoniae was detected by 31.8%, E. coli by 21.8%, Klebsiella sp. by 11.8% and finally, P. aeuroginosa by 9.1% from the collected samples. Molecular characterization using PCR test targeting the 16SrRNA genes of these bacterial agents revealing their specific DNA amplicon sizes of each bacterium except for Klebsiella sp. which was targeted by gyrA gene. Various pictures of tracheal lesions in infected sheep were observed and recorded. Different types of pneumonia were observed macroscopically and microscopically among the different causitive bacterium. Antibiotic profiles shows variety of sensitivity. Ciprofloxacin is the drug of choice for most isolates. P. aeuroginosa shows high level of antibiotics resistance.