CLINICAL ,HEMATOLOGICAL AND DIAGNOSTIC STUDIES OF HEMOMYCOPLASMA INFECTION (MYCOPLASMA OVIS) IN SHEEP OF BASRAH GOVERNORATE

Abstract

Hemomycoplasmosis caused by Mycoplasma ovis was diagnosed in sheep ofBasrah Governorate .The study were conducted on (225) sheep reared in differentareas of Basrah governorate . Animals are of different ages and of both sexes. Twentyfive clinically healthy sheep were considered as controls .Complete clinicalexaminations were applied to all animals, and fecal samples screened for parasiticloud. Results revealed that infected sheep show signs of anorexia , anemia with paleor icteric mucous membranes of eyes and vagina , rapid and difficult respiration ,enlargement of superficial lymph nodes, rough wool coat and hemoglobinuria,Moreover milk production were decreased in lactating ewes . On clinicalexaminations statistically significant increase were indicated in body temperature,respiratory and heart rate of diseased sheep then in controls. Diagnosis ofMycoplasma ovis were leant on examination of stained blood smears with Giemsa,Since the organism appear as small coccoid or rod shape structures and it could befound as an singular or in chains on the cell membranes of infected erythrocytes ofdiseased animals , Furthermore the diagnosis were confirmed by indirect Elisa test .Results of hematological examinations show significant decrease in the values of totalerythrocytes count ,hemoglobin concentration and packed cell volume indicatingmacrocytic normochromic type of anemia, However , the rate of sedimentation of redblood cells indicated significant increase in diseased sheep, Moreover , Leucocytosisdue to significant increase in lymphocytes number were also registered in infectedsheep then in controls , In addition evaluation of acute phase response showsignificant decrease in haptoglobin values and fibrinogen time in diseased sheepcompared with controls . Significant decrease in total protein were detected, However285values of total and indirect bilirubin, GGT, AST, ALP, and BUN were significantlyincreased in diseased sheep compared with controls. It had been concluded thatHemomycoplasmosis ovis were infected sheep of Basrah governorate lead tohemolytic anemia and substantial effect might terminated with highly mortalities ,Therefore all suspected sheep in the chancy area must screened for microorganismloud