Sample Collection for Mycoplasma ovipneumoniae in Sheep

I am frequently asked the best sample to collect to test sheep for Mycoplasma ovipneumoniae infection.

The answer to this question can be found in the early research on Mycoplasma ovipneumoniae conducted by the Australian Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) (1).

The researchers investigated sample collection at necropsy from lambs with pneumonia. Six different types of samples were collected for mycoplasma culture:

  • Nasal swab

  • Pharyngeal swab

  • Tracheal swab

  • Bronchial swab

  • Bronchial washing

  • Lung suspension (20%)

The best result was obtained with the bronchial swab, followed closely by the nasal swab. The trachea swab provided an intermediate result. Bronchial washing, lung suspension and the pharyngeal swab provided inferior results.

Percent recovery of Mycoplasma ovipneumoniae by culture from the respiratory tract of lambs at necropsy

I have also compared bronchial swab to lung tissue homogenate collected from lambs at necropsy for detection of Mycoplasma ovipneumoniae by PCR. Although only a small number of samples were compared, bronchial swab again gave a superior result. Eleven swab samples were positive for Mycoplasma ovipneumoniae by PCR. Of these, only four matching lung tissue homogenate samples were also positive for Mycoplasma ovipneumoniae by PCR. No lung tissue homogenate samples were positive for Mycoplasma ovipneumoniae by PCR and negative in the corresponding bronchial swab sample.

The CSIRO researchers also collected samples from 38 sheep in a flock with pneumonia, comparing nasal swab to pharyngeal swab. Nasal swab gave the better result, with almost four times as many sheep culture-positive on nasal swab compared to pharyngeal swab.

Conjunctival swabs were also collected from the flock. One of 38 conjunctival swabs collected was positive for Mycoplasma ovipneumoniae.

Percent recovery of Mycoplasma ovipneumoniae by culture from from a sheep flock with pneumonia

So, my answer when I am asked the best sample to collect to detect Mycoplasma ovipneumoniae infection in sheep, is nasal swabs from live animals and bronchial swabs at necropsy.

Testing sheep for Mycoplasma ovipneumoniae can be arranged through one of my on-farm small ruminant disease investigations. Knowing the cause of coughing and pneumonia in sheep means an effective treatment program can be implemented. Without this information the wrong treatments may be given, delaying the animal's recovery.

When detected early, infection with Mycoplasma ovipneumoniae can be treated.

Please get in touch to arrange testing of your sheep.

1. Isolation, propagation and characterization sutdies of an ovine Mycoplasma responsible for proliferative interstitial pneumonia. Carmichael, Leland E, et al. 1972, Cornell Vet, Vol. 62, pp. 654-579.

2. Use of a novel real-time PCR technique to monitor and quantitate Mycoplasma bois infection in cattle herds with mastitis and respiratory disease. Sachse, Konrad, et al. 2010, The Veterinary Journal, Vol. 186, pp. 299-303.

3. A Real-Time PCR for Detection and Quantification of Mycoplasma ovipneumoniae. Yang, Falong, et al. 2014, Journal of Veterinary Medical Science, Vol. 76, pp. 1631-1634.

Joan LloydJoan Lloyd Consulting Pty Ltd