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ARS Home » Midwest Area » Ames, Iowa » National Animal Disease Center » Ruminant Diseases and Immunology Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #327737
Title: A serologic survey of Mycoplasma spp. in farmed bison (Bison bison) herds in western Canada

Author
item BRAS, ANA - University Of Calgary
item SULEMAN, MUHAMMAD - University Of Calgary
item WOODBURY, MURRAY - University Of Saskatchewan
item Register, Karen
item BARKEMA, HERMAN - University Of Calgary
item PEREZ-CASAL, JOSE - University Of Saskatchewan
item WINDEYER, M.CLAIRE - University Of Calgary

Submitted to: Journal of Veterinary Diagnostic Investigation
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 11/24/2016
Publication Date: 6/5/2017
Publication URL: http://handle.nal.usda.gov/10113/5763045
Citation: Bras, A.L., Suleman, M., Woodbury, M., Register, K.B., Barkema, H., Perez-Casal, J., Windeyer, M. 2017. A serologic survey of Mycoplasma spp. in farmed bison (Bison bison) herds in western Canada. Journal of Veterinary Diagnostic Investigation. 29(4):513-521. doi: 10.1177/1040638717710057.

Interpretive Summary: Mycoplasma bovis is emerging as an important pathogen of farmed bison in North America, associated with high morbidity and mortality. Disease prevalence and risk factors have not been evaluated, in part, because there is no serological test that can be used to identify bison previously infected with M. bovis. Here we report the development of a test suitable for use with blood samples and the results we obtained when it was used to test sera of bison in western Canadian herds with or without a past history of M. bovis-associated disease. Based on 858 serum samples representing 19 bison herds, we found evidence for prior infection with M. bovis in 12% of all bison, representing 79% of the herds sampled. Risk factors significantly associated with a positive result include herd disease status and age and sex of the bison. Eight of the 11 herds with no history of M. bovis-associated disease tested positively, suggesting either that bison may carry the bacterium without apparent disease or that disease-causing infection may be under-diagnosed. The test should be further evaluated and optimized, but provides a starting point for development of a valuable, herd-level screening tool, which will expand our limited understanding of appropriate prevention and control measures.

Technical Abstract: Mycoplasma bovis is emerging as an important pathogen of farmed bison in North America, associated with high morbidity and mortality. An in-house enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was developed to detect antibodies against Mycoplasma sp. in bison sera. The aims of the study were to estimate the seroprevalence in bison herds with and without past history of M. bovis-associated disease, and to determine potential risk factors for seroconversion to Mycoplasma sp. in farmed bison in western Canada. A total of 858 serum samples were collected from bison over one year of age from 19 bison herds. The individual and herd-level seroprevalence of Mycoplasma sp. were 12% and 79%, respectively. The proportion of seropositive animals ranged from 11% to 41% and 3% to 9% for herds with and without history of M. bovis-associated disease, respectively. Risk factors for seropositivity included herd disease status, and age and sex of the bison (p<0.01). Eight of the 11 herds with no history of M. bovis-associated disease were seropositive for Mycoplasma sp., which suggests that either bison may be asymptomatic or Mycoplasma infection may be underdiagnosed. While not specific to M. bovis, the in-house ELISA developed to detect antibodies against Mycoplasma sp. may prove to be a valuable herd-level screening tool, thus providing insight needed for the development of appropriate prevention and control measures.