Exploring Mycoplasma ovipneumoniae NXNK2203 infection in sheep: insights from histopathology and whole genome sequencing

• Published in: BMC veterinary research 2024-01, Vol.20 (1), p.20-20, Article 20
• Main Authors: Wang, Jiandong, Liu, Hongyan, Raheem, Abdul, Ma, Qing, Liang, Xiaojun, Guo, Yanan, Lu, Doukun
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Alveoli; Analysis; Animals; Antibiotics; Autopsy - veterinary; Bacteria; Bronchus; Care and treatment; cold; Cold weather; Diagnosis; Diseases; DNA sequencing; Environmental aspects; Genes; Genetic aspects; genome; Genomes; Genomic islands; Genomics; Goat Diseases; Goats; Growth; Health aspects; Histology, Pathological; Histopathology; Immunohistochemistry; Infection; Infections; Lung diseases; Lungs; Lymphatic system; mucus; Mycoplasma diseases in animals; Mycoplasma ovipneumoniae; Mycoplasma ovipneumoniae - genetics; Necropsy; necrosis; Nucleotide sequencing; Pathogenicity; pathogens; Pathology; Phylogenetics; Pneumonia, Mycoplasma - veterinary; Prophages; Proteins; Respiratory disease; Respiratory tract infection; sequence analysis; Sheep; Sheep Diseases; Software; spring; tissue degeneration; Virulence; Virulence (Microbiology); Virulence Factors; Weather; Whole genome sequencing; Whole Genome Sequencing - veterinary
• ISSN: 1746-6148; 1746-6148
• DOI: 10.1186/s12917-023-03866-z

Mycoplasma ovipneumoniae (M. ovipneumoniae) is a significant pathogen causing respiratory infections in goats and sheep. This study focuses on investigating vulnerability of Hu sheep to M. ovipneumoniae infection in the context of late spring's cold weather conditions through detailed autopsy of a severely affected Hu sheep and whole genome sequencing of M. ovipneumoniae. The autopsy findings of the deceased sheep revealed severe pulmonary damage with concentrated tracheal and lung lesions. Histopathological analysis showed tissue degeneration, mucus accumulation, alveolar septum thickening, and cellular necrosis. Immunohistochemistry analysis indicated that M. ovipneumoniae was more in the bronchi compared to the trachea. Genome analysis of M. ovipneumoniae identified a 1,014,835 bp with 686 coding sequences, 3 rRNAs, 30 tRNAs, 6 CRISPRs, 11 genomic islands, 4 prophages, 73 virulence factors, and 20 secreted proteins. This study investigates the vulnerability of Hu sheep to M. ovipneumoniae infection during late spring's cold weather conditions. Autopsy findings showed severe pulmonary injury in affected sheep, and whole genome sequencing identified genetic elements associated with pathogenicity and virulence factors of M. ovipneumoniae.