Bimolecular identification of M.ovinpeumoniae from nasal swab samples of sheep from various districts of Balochistan, Pakistan

Mycoplasma ovipneumoniae is an important respiratory pathogen of sheep across the world. In the present study nasal swab samples (n=778) were processed and 51isolates of M. ovipneumoniae were identified through biochemical tests and PCR. Difference in the isolation rate among districts (n=12), age groups (n=3), breads (n=6) was assessed. Similarly the isolate rate among healthy (n=513) and respiratory distressed (n=265) sheep were also compared. The results for the district-wise isolation of Mycoplasma ovipneumoniae in sheep showed non-significant variations among districts of Balochistan (2= 1.65, P=0.9990). Statistically significant difference (2 = 7.698, P< 0.02) in the isolation of Mycoplasma ovipneumoniae among various age groups was recorded, while highest isolation was seen in sheep of < 1 year.Statistically highly significant difference (2 = 16.6, P < 0.0050) in the isolation of Mycoplasma ovipneumoniae among various breeds of sheep in Balochistan was seen, whereas highest isolation rate (3.70%) was observed in Harnai breed for sheep Furthermore, statistically highly significant difference (Fisher's exact test P≤0.0001) in the isolation of Mycoplasma ovipneumoniae between healthy and respiratory distressed sheep breeds in Balochistan was found.