Molecular and Bacteriological Diagnosis of Mycoplasma Species Infection in Camels at Taif Governorate, Saudi Arabia

Aims: We designed this work to confirm if the PCR technique is more rapid and specific than traditional diagnostic method by culture.

Study Design: In vitro experimental and molecular study.

Place and Duration of Study: Genetic engineering and biotechnology unit, Taif University, Saudi Arabia from October, 2016 to September, 2017.

Methodology: Ninety three nasal and tracheal swabs and lung samples were collected from camel in Taif slaughterhouse, Saudi Arabia. All samples were tested by culture and PCR method using universal primer of 16S rRNA gene.

Results: There was no positive result obtained by culture method, but 30 (32.2%) of nasal swabs were positive using PCR method. Moreover, we used species-specific primers for Mycoplasma arginine, M. bovis and M. mycoides subspecies mycoides to identify the isolates at species level, but no positive results obtained with specific primers. These positive samples could be other Mycoplasma species.

Conclusion: These results indicate that PCR technique is a specific molecular detection technique for Mycoplasma identification, and more sensitive test. These techniques are simple and fast methods to detect and isolate infected animals.