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Mycoplasma diseases in the UK

Cattle

Mycoplasma bovis

Mycoplasma bovis is a major contributor to calf pneumonia in the UK and is the main Mycoplasma species identified from sick cattle in the UK.

However it is also associated with mastitis in cows, arthritis, meningitis, eye infections, abortion and infertility.

Diagnosis at VLA is carried out by the molecular PCR/DGGE test (VLA test code TC 0672) or by serological testing (VLA test code TC0400 M. bovis ELISA).

Antibiotic studies on M. bovis have shown that many antibiotics are not effective in vitro and this includes the macrolides, lincosamides and tetracyclines, with some fluoroquinolones becoming less effective. The results of these in vitro tests is reflected in the field situation where M. bovis is difficult to treat.

A saponised-inactivated vaccine developed at VLA was shown to be safe, highly immunogenic and protective against a strong experimental challenge of M. bovis.

The autogenous M. bovis vaccine, produced by the VLA Mycoplasma Group, appears to be effective. An isolate must be obtained from the affected farm and the vaccine is made for use solely on that farm.

The vaccine is produced at VLA Weybridge and it then undergoes independent sterility testing.

Safety tests are carried out on the farm before VMD give permission to release the vaccine. The process takes approximately three months. If you are aware of a M. bovis problem where the vaccine could be used, please contact the VLA Mycoplasma Group.

For further information, see the:

If it is at all possible, farms which are free of M. bovis should seriously consider maintaining this status by ensuring suppliers/dealers of replacement animals are free of M. bovis using the tests described above.

Mycoplasma alkalescens

Mycoplasma alkalescens has been associated with arthritis, otitis, mastitis and respiratory disease in cattle. Over the past few years there has been an increase in M. alkalescens detections in the UK.

Mycoplasma bovigenitalium

Mainly found in the reproductive tract and has been isolated from pneumonic, arthritic and mastitic cattle as well as aborted foetuses. It is often associated with reduced fertility, endometritis and granular vulvitis.

Mycoplasma bovirhinis

Mycoplasma bovirhinis is thought to be a commensal but is frequently identified from cattle often in association with other Mycoplasma species. 

Mycoplasma canadense

Mycoplasma canadense first isolated from bovine mastitic milk in Canada, is an important mastitis pathogen. It has been isolated from mastitis, nasal mucus, vaginal mucus, semen and synovial fluid of cattle. More recent reports show an association with granulopapular vulvovaginitis. It currently accounts for approx 5% of mycoplasma identifications from cattle.

Mycoplasma canis

Mycoplasma canis was first reported in cattle in the UK in 1995.  It has been associated with pneumonia in cattle. The incidence in the UK appeared to peak in 2000 but has been consistently detected since.

Mycoplasma dispar

Mycoplasma dispar is a proven cause of pneumonia and has been reported in cases of mastitis but can be isolated from the lungs and nasal cavities of healthy and pneumonic cattle.

Mycoplasma wenyonii

Mycoplasma wenyonii is a wall-less hemotrophic prokaryote that normally adheres to red blood cells. Infections caused by M. wenyonii have been reported to result in parasitaemia, anaemia, pyrexia, hind limb oedema and significantly reduced milk production. M. wenyonii can be detected in the blood and saliva from affected cows by PCR/DGGE. This suggests that saliva maybe a route of transmission. The route of transmission has not been determined but there is evidence that flies, lice and mosquitoes may serve as mechanical vectors. Infections appear to be cyclic.  Cattle do appear to respond to antibiotic treatment aimed at treating mycoplasma infections, but  may remain infected and clinical signs may return.

Other Mycoplasma and related species, isolated from cattle

Mycoplasma arginini, M. bovoculi (eye infections), M. verecundum, Acholeplasma species and Ureaplasma species (reproductive infections).

Pigs

Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae

Infections of Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae cause the disease porcine enzootic pneumonia which is a mild, chronic pneumonia.  M. hyopneumoniae is highly infectious and is thus a serious problem in the swine industry.

Occurrence of this disease can be reduced through improvements in animal husbandry, particularly reducing overcrowding, improving housing ventilation and by vaccination.

We use the PCR/DGGE diagnostic test (Test Code TC0672) to detect M. hyopneumoniae as, due to its fastidious nature, culturing could take weeks. A serological test is also used (TC0546).

Mycoplasma hyorhinis

Mycoplasma hyorhinis is a cause of otitis, arthritis and pneumonia. This disease can cause high morbidity rates which in turn leads to economic losses through poor food conversion and retarded growth.

Sheep and Goats

Mycoplasma ovipneumoniae

Mycoplasma ovipneumoniae is often isolated from the trachea, nasal cavities and lungs of sheep and goats with pneumonia.

In the UK there has been an apparent increase in its isolation from pneumonic sheep flocks since 2001. This may be related to overcrowding following restrictions of movement imposed on sheep flocks in 2001. During times of stress, subclinical infection may predispose sheep to acute fibrinous pneumonia, pulmonary abscesses or pleurisy. Gross lung pathology is not pathognomic for this mycoplasma, so laboratory diagnosis is essential to confirm mycoplasma involvement in disease.

Economic losses from M. ovipneumoniae can be large due to the poor livestock growth. Improved husbandry practices, such as lower stocking densities and improved ventilation, are important factors in preventing and reducing the spread of respiratory disease.

Mycoplasma conjunctivae

Mycoplasma conjunctivae causes infectious keratoconjunctivitis (IKC) in sheep and goats. This can be diagnosed by the PCR/DGGE method (TC0672) or by specific PCR (TC0659). Treatment of individual animals often means that the disease continues to spread through the flock / herd.

Contagious agalactia

This is not present in the UK, but it occurs in some other European Countries.  Contagious agalactia is a disease syndrome found mainly in dairy sheep and goat breeds and characterised by mastitis leading to a reduction in milk production, arthritis, IKC and occasionally pneumonia.

The major cause is Mycoplasma agalactiae but M. capricolum subsp. capricolum, M. mycoides subsp. capri and M. putrefaciens are also implicated. In chronically affected animals, arthritis and IKC are the main signs although they may not always be seen in the same animal.

Any suspicion of contagious agalactia must be immediately notified to Animal Health.

Avian

More than 23 different Mycoplasma species have been detected in avian hosts, most are thought to be commensals. However, Mycoplasma gallisepticum and Mycoplasma synoviae are OIE listed diseases. M. gallisepticum and M. meleagridis (in turkeys) are included in the European Directive (2009/158/EC) and UK Poultry Health Scheme.  Mycoplasma gallinaceum has also been reported to be associated with disease. M. gallinarum, M. gallopavonis, M. iners and M. pullorum are frequently identified and their role in disease should perhaps be reconsidered.

As well as the PCR/DGGE method (TC0672) the VLA offers serological testing for M. gallisepticum (TC0306), M. synoviae (TC0308) and M. meleagridis (TC0307). We also offer an immunoblotting test. Immunoblotting is a specific and sensitive confirmatory test which should be used to clarify any ambiguous results for less specific serological screening tests. M. gallisepticum immunoblot (TC0749) and M. synoviae immunoblot (TC0750). 

Mycoplasma gallisepticum

Mycoplasma gallisepticum causes chronic respiratory disease in domestic poultry. The disease is characterised by coryza, conjunctivitis, sneezing and by sinusitis. It can result in loss of production and downgrading of meat type birds and loss of egg production.

Mycoplasma synoviae

Mycoplasma synoviae is a pathogen of chickens and turkeys which causes synovitis and airsacculitis. Recently it has been reported to cause egg shell abnormalities.

Mycoplasma meleagridis

Mycoplasma meleagridis mainly affects turkeys and is characterised by respiratory and skeletal problems. Infection is via the conjunctiva or upper respiratory tract and transmission is venereal in breeders.

Various species

Haemoplasmas

Haemotropic  mycoplasmas, also known as hemoplasmas, are non-cultivable bacteria detected in the blood of  various mammalian species.  Originally classified as Haemobartonella and Eperythrozoon species they have, on the basis of 16S rRNA gene sequences, been reclassified within the genus Mycoplasma.

They occur in most host species (see M. wenyonii in cattle).  Their incidence in the UK is not currently known, but M. suis in pigs is reported in many other countries. 

M. haemolamae has recently been reported in alpacas in the UK. Clinical signs are lethargy and chronic weight loss and acute cases may result in the animal not being able to stand. PCR/DGGE tests (TC0672) are able to detect M. haemolamae and some other Haemoplasma species.