ISOLATION AND PHENOTYPIC CHARACTERIZATION OF MYCOPLASMA MYCOIDES SUBSPECIES MYCOIDES FROM PNEUMONIC CATTLE SLAUGHTERED AT ZARIA ABATTOIR, KADUNA STATE

Abstract

This study was conducted to isolate and phenotypically characterize Mycoplasma species from pneumonic cattle slaughtered at Zaria Abattoir, Kaduna State using culture and isolation, and biochemical tests for identification. A total of 47 samples comprising of lung tissues, pleural fluid and nasal swabs were collected from 3 different breeds of cattle, namely White Fulani, Red Bororo and Sokoto Gudali with each having 27, 8 and 12 samples respectively. Isolation rate of 11.1% was recorded in White Fulani while no isolate was found from the other breeds, giving an overall isolation rate of 6.4%. The positive isolates identified based on their “fried egg” appearance under stereomicroscope were specifically isolated from pleural fluid 2(7.4%) and nasal swab 1(3.7%).
Phenotypically, all the isolates hydrolyzed glucose, reduced tetrazolium, and did not catabolize arginine, hence, identified as Mycoplasma mycoides subspecies mycoides (Mmm). In CONCLUSION, this study established the presence of Mmm in cattle presented for slaughter at Zaria Abattoir. Therefore, intensive disease surveillance through isolation, serology and molecular detection techniques should be instituted to ensure accurate and timely diagnosis of this devastating disease.