Detection of Mycoplasma equigenitalium from Genital Tract of Healthy Domestic Donkeys (Equus africanus asinus)

Mycoplasma equigenitalium in Donkeys

Authors

  • Pablo Tamiozzo Department of Animal Pathology, Faculty of Agronomy and Veterinary Medicine, National University of Río Cuarto, Argentina
  • Erika Sticotti Department of Animal Pathology, Faculty of Agronomy and Veterinary Medicine, National University of Río Cuarto, Argentina
  • Ana Flores Bragulat Equine Production Laboratory, Department of Animal Production, Faculty of Agronomy and Veterinary Medicine, National University of Río Cuarto, Argentina
  • Carolina Alonso Equine Production Laboratory, Department of Animal Production, Faculty of Agronomy and Veterinary Medicine, National University of Río Cuarto, Argentina
  • Mauro Mació Department of Animal Pathology, Faculty of Agronomy and Veterinary Medicine, National University of Río Cuarto, Argentina
  • Luis Losinno Equine Production Laboratory, Department of Animal Production, Faculty of Agronomy and Veterinary Medicine, National University of Río Cuarto, Argentina

Keywords:

Mycoplasma equigenitalium, reproductive tract, vagina, prepuce, jennies, jacks

Abstract

Mycoplasma equigenitalium (M. equigenitalium) has been identified in the reproductive tracts of both fertile and infertile mares and stallions. However, there are scarce antecedents on its detection in the reproductive tract of donkeys. A cross-sectional study was conducted with healthy domestic donkeys. Jennies (n=6) and jacks (n=6) were sampled through the collection of vaginal and preputial swabs. The specimens were plated into a commercial Mycoplasma medium and analyzed through the use of a species-specific PCR. M. equigenitalium was detected by PCR in four specimens (4/12), one from a jack (1/6) and three from jennies (3/6). Moreover, from one of the PCR positive jennies, M. equigenitalium could be isolated. Presumably, this is the first report of M. equigenitalium detection from healthy domestic donkeys by both culture and PCR methods despite the small number of analyzed specimens. The obtained results are a starting point for the study of Mycoplasmas affecting donkeys.

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Published

2022-09-15

How to Cite

Tamiozzo, P. ., Sticotti, E. ., Flores Bragulat, A. ., Alonso, C. ., Mació, M. ., & Losinno, L. . (2022). Detection of Mycoplasma equigenitalium from Genital Tract of Healthy Domestic Donkeys (Equus africanus asinus): Mycoplasma equigenitalium in Donkeys. International Journal of Equine Science, 1(2), 33–35. Retrieved from https://rasayely-journals.com/index.php/ijes/article/view/28

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Original Articles