S
HEEP play a vital role in the agricultural landscape of Egypt. Respiratory conditions caused by
Mycoplasma are recognized as a prevalent source of economic loss within this sector. In the
present study, one hundred and twenty samples were collected from sheep across three different
localities from sheep farm in Giza governorate. Observations of respiratory infection symptoms were
noticed, and subsequent isolation of Mycoplasma was carried out. Mycoplasma arginini was
successfully isolated from two distinct localities. Mycoplasma ovipneumoniae was detected in the
samples. Additionally, Acholeplasma laidlawii was isolated from all the localities under investigation.
The confirmation of various strains was achieved through polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis
and sequencing. All serum and lung tissues’ samples were classified into 4 groups. Group 1 (G1)
included non-infected sheep group-2 (G2) include sheep infected with M. arginini + Acholeplasma.
G3: M. ovipneumoniae + Acholeplasma laidlawii. G4: sheep infected with M. arginini + M.
ovipneumoniae +Acholeplasma laidlawii. Lysozyme activity, nitric oxide (NO), catalase enzyme and
malondialdehyde (MDA) levels were measured in the serum. IL-8 and CRP mRNA were determined
in lung tissues by quantitative real time-PCR (qRT-PCR). The results revealed that Mycoplasma
infection significantly increased serum lysozyme activity, NO, IL-8, CRP, and MDA levels, while
catalase activity was significantly reduced in infected groups (G2, G3, G4) compared with the control
group (G1). Notably, multiple Mycoplasma infections in G4 further elevated these immunological and
oxidative dysregulations. In a conclusion, infection with Mycoplasma sp. in sheep dysregulated innate
immune response, aggravated the expression of inflammatory mediators and induced oxidative
imbalance. Multiple infection with Mycoplasma sp. further exacerbated its detrimental effects. |
