Characteristics of an unusual mycoplasma isolated from a case of caprine mastitis and arthritis with possible systemic manifestations.
A mycoplasma designated strain GM790A was isolated from milk and internal organs of 2 lactating goats showing mastitis and arthritis. The isolate was not related serologically to any of the currently known ovine-caprine mycoplasmas, except an isolate designated Mycoplasma sp. G, first recorded from the external ear canal of clinically normal goats in Australia. Sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and restriction enzyme DNA studies of strain GM790A and Mycoplasma sp. G revealed similar but not identical patterns. The inoculation of strain GM790A into the teat canal of 2 lactating goats resulted in an abrupt diminution of lactation leading to mastitis and agalactia in about 3 days. A maximum of 1 x 10(7) colony-forming units (CFU) of the mycoplasma were shed per ml of mammary secretion. Milk production partially resumed at a low level 3 weeks postinoculation, the longest period tested, but the milk still contained 1 x 10(2) CFU of the agent. The results of this study indicate that strain GM790A possesses pathogenic potential for the goat and most probably represents a new species of the genus Mycoplasma.
DaMassa
A J
AJ
Department of Epidemiology, University of California, Davis 95616.
Nascimento
E R
ER
Khan
M I
MI
Yamamoto
R
R
Brooks
D L
DL
D000818:Animals; D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial / Q000276:immunology; D001170:Arthritis, Infectious / Q000382:microbiology / Q000662:veterinary*; D001426:Bacterial Proteins / Q000032:analysis; D004269:DNA, Bacterial / Q000032:analysis; D004591:Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel; D005260:Female; D015511:Goat Diseases / Q000382:microbiology*; D006041:Goats; D007106:Immune Sera / Q000276:immunology; D008413:Mastitis / Q000382:microbiology / Q000662:veterinary*; D009174:Mycoplasma / Q000145:classification* / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D009175:Mycoplasma Infections / Q000382:microbiology / Q000662:veterinary*; D015183:Restriction Mapping
D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial; D001426:Bacterial Proteins; D004269:DNA, Bacterial; D007106:Immune Sera