First Documented Study of Mycoplasma Wenyonii of Cattle in Iraq

Mycoplasma wenyonii was studied by PCR and staining blood smears in twelve local breed cattle brought from different farms around Mosul city for examination in teaching hospital of Mosul University. Clinical signs and hematological parameters of all tested animals were compromised with data of another twelve local breed healthy cattle. Clinical sings of hind limb edema, pyrexia, painful swollen udders, pre-femoral and mammary lymph nodes enlargement with milk drop were noticed in dairy cows. Scrotal edema was found to be significantly associated with the infection in calves. Epi-erythrocytic organisms were seen on traditional - Wrights stained thick blood films and fluorescence microscopy techniques, acridine orange (AO) staining of thin blood films. Hematological examination revealed a regenerative anemia with elevation of WBC counts of infected cattle. Blood samples were submitted to the Animal Health and Veterinary Laboratory Agency, UK, to confirm diagnosis. Mycoplasma wenyonii (MW 599) -specific DNA was detected by PCR and Denaturing Gradient Gel Electrophoresis (DGGE) in five samples. This is the first document for detection of Mycoplasma wenyonii in cattle from Iraq.