Biochemical and molecular identification of Mycoplasma agalactiae isolates from healthy and sick goats of Gujarat

In the present study, thirteen out of 756 samples (ear, ocular and nasal swabs, lung tissue, milk and blood) collected from goats in Anand (Gujarat) and adjoining areas were found positive for Mycoplasma agalactiae. All the isolates were identified on the basis of their colony morphology and biochemical characters. These were found negative for glucose fermentation, arginine hydrolysis and serum liquefaction. The identity of the isolates was further confirmed as M. agalactiae by PCR using genus and species-specific primers which yielded specific amplification of 715 bp and 360 bp, respectively. The present study shows the presence of M. agalactiae among the healthy as well as sick goats of this region and underlines the requirement of regular screening of flocks to ascertain the status of infection in the susceptible animals.