Insights into Clinical Features and Antibiotic Response in MCCP Infection among Small Ruminants

Abstract

This study documents the clinical manifestations observed during sample collection from diseased small ruminants. The samples and clinical data were collected from CCPP suspected sheep and goat flocks. The culturing of Mycoplasma was performed using Modified Hay Flick medium. Mccp species were identified by biochemical profile. Antibiogram of the isolated strains was performed according to CLSI using various antibiotics including ampicillin, ceftiofur sodium, gentamicin, cloxacillin, tylosin, metronidazole, oxytetracycline, enrofloxacin and ciprofloxacin. Among the 385 culture-positive samples, fever (91.1%) and nasal discharge (88.3%) were the most prevalent symptoms, followed by cough (82.3%), dyspnea (63.6%), anorexia (61.6%), and weakness (56.8%). Contingency coefficient analysis revealed a strong association between Contagious Caprine Pleuropneumonia (CCPP) and clinical manifestations; temperature, nasal discharge, moderate association with cough and dyspnea, and weak association with anorexia and weakness. Additionally, the study assessed the in-vitro susceptibility of Mccp isolates to various antibiotics. Enrofloxacin demonstrated the highest effectiveness, followed by ciprofloxacin and gentamicin. Tylosin, metronidazole, and oxytetracycline showed moderate effectiveness, while ceftiofur sodium and cloxacillin were completely ineffective. In summary, clinical severity such as elevated temperature, nasal excretions, and respiratory distress was notable during the infection produced by prevailing field Mccp strains. The promising antibiotics response was determined for enrofloxacin, gentamicin and enrofloxacin against the isolated Mccp species from various regions of province KPK, Pakistan.