Vol. 9, Issue 6, Part B (2024)

Author(s): Amadou Sery, Cheick Abou Kounta Sidibe, Mamadou Kone, Bekaye Sacko, Abdoul Kader Bouare and Mamadou Niang

Abstract: Mycoplasma agalactia is the main agent of contagious agalactia syndrome in small ruminants characterized clinically by mastitis, arthritis and kerato-conjunctivitis. The objective of this study is to determine the serological and microbiological prevalence as well as the risk factors associated with infection by Mycoplasma agalactiae in small ruminants. A serological and microbiological survey was carried out on 3660 serum samples and 1860 organ and milk samples in 252 herds of small ruminants. An individual and herd serological prevalence rate was 4.51% (165/3660) and 32.94% (83/252). Out of 1860 organ and milk samples cultured, 58 were found to be positive for Mycoplasma agalactiae in 38 herds, representing a respective microbiological prevalence rate of 3.1% and 15.07%. The risk factors significantly associated (p<0.05) with infection by Mycoplasma agalactiae were the sheep species (OR=5.03), sex (OR=3.10), breed (OR=12, 17), age (OR=4.46), calving (OR=6.71), mastitis (OR=14.39), abortion (OR=10.07), overcrowding (OR =29.72), introduction of new animals (OR=20.75), season (OR=10.07), livestock markets (OR=33.2) and transhumance (OR=19.37). The results of this study showed that the pathogen responsible for contagious agalactia circulates among small ruminants in practically all regions of Mali. These identified local strains could help develop a candidate vaccine against contagious agalactia in small ruminants.