Contagious agalactia

OIE Reference Laboratory Reports

Activities in 2011

Name of disease (or topic) for which you are a designated OIE Reference Laboratory: / Contagious agalactia
Address of laboratory: / Animal Health and Veterinary Laboratories Agency
Woodham Lane,
Addlestone,
Surrey, KT15 3NB,
UNITED KINGDOM
Tel.: / Tel.: (+44-1932) 35.73.79
Fax: / Fax:(+44-1932) 35.74.23
e-mail address: /
website: / http://www.defra.gov.uk/vla/diseases/dis_mycoplasma.htm
Name (including Title and Position) of Head of Laboratory (Responsible Official): / Miss Catherine Brown
Name(including Title and Position) of OIE Reference Expert: / Professor Robin A.J. Nicholas
Name (including Title and Position) of writer of this report
(if different from above):


Part I: Summary of general activities related to the disease

The Mycoplasma Group at the AHVLA performs diagnosis and research into all aspects of animal mycoplasmology including as a contagious agalactia-free country monitoring small ruminant herds for diseases suggestive of CA. We also perform fundamental studies into the behaviour of M agalactiae and related CA mycoplasmas including the effects of biofilm formation on survival and pathogenicity. We have created a universal molecular typing scheme to enable the classification of isolates and help disease tracing. We routinely perform antibiotic sensitivity tests on mycoplasma isolates

1. Test(s) in use/or available for the specified disease/topic at your laboratory

Total

Test / For / Animal /

Surveillance

/

Diagnosis

ELISA / Antibody / Sheep / 2 / 0
CFT / Antibody / Goat / 0 / 0

Immunoblotting

/ Antibody / Sheep and goat / 0 / 0

Mycoplasma isolation

/ Mycoplasma organisms / Sheep and goat / 0 / 0

PCR/DGGE*

/ Mycoplasma DNA / Sheep and goat / 49

* Denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (McAuliffe et al., 2005)

2. Production and distribution of diagnostic reagents

Antigen for the ELISA for antibodies to M agalactiae was provided to our laboratory testing division at AHVLA

Part II: Activities specifically related to the mandate
of OIE Reference Laboratories

3. International harmonisation and standardisation of methods for diagnostic testing or the production and testing of vaccines

a) Establishment and maintenance of a network with other OIE Reference Laboratories designated for the same pathogen or disease and organisation of regular inter-laboratory proficiency testing to ensure comparability of results

None

b) Organisation of inter-laboratory proficiency testing with laboratories other than OIE Reference Laboratories for the same pathogens and diseases to ensure equivalence of results

None

4. Preparation and supply of international reference standards for diagnostic tests or vaccines

None

5. Research and development of new procedures for diagnosis and control

In an effort to develop improved diagnostic tests for contagious agalactia, representative strains of the causative mycoplasmas: M agalactiae, M mycoides subsp capri and M capricolum subsp. capricolum were analysed by 2-D electrophoresis. Unique proteins were identified by MudPIT analysis and immunogenic proteins were matched by mass spectrometry. A number of proteins were identified from each mycoplasma species that could be used as antigens in a diagnostic test. Real time PCRs have also been assessed for their ability to detect causative mycoplasmas in clinical material. They were found to be 100 time more sensitive than conventional PCRs and easier to standardise and automate. Further validation is required before they can be used in routine diagnosis

6. Collection, analysis and dissemination of epizootiological data relevant to international disease control

Sheep flocks from three prefectures of Japan, Hokkaido, Iwate and Aumori, were screened for antibodies to Mycoplasma agalactiae by indirect ELISA. None of the 246 sera were serologically positive suggesting that this region is free of contagious agalactia

7. Maintenance of a system of quality assurance, biosafety and biosecurity relevant to the pathogen and the disease concerned

ISO 17025 and ISO9001-2008 audited by Lloyds Registry Quality Assessors on behalf of United Kingdom Accreditation System. We follow Advisory Committee on Dangerous Pathogens for handling live mycoplasma in containment level 2 facility using class II microbiological safety cabinets and follow stipulations set by the Specified Animal Pathogens Order..

8. Provision of consultant expertise to OIE or to OIE Member Countries

RN chaired a group of experts to analyse information gaps in our knowledge of contagious agalactia under the EU DISCONTOOLS initiative. A report was submitted

9. Provision of scientific and technical training to personnel from other OIE Member Countries

Staff from Italy (1) and Czech Republic (1) were trained in diagnostic and research methods concerning ruminant mycoplasmas including those causing contagious aglactia

We began discussions with the CVDRL in Kabul, Afghanistan under the twinning initiative. This process will begin in early 2012 and will cover mycoplasma diseases of small ruminants including those causing contagious agalactia

10. Provision of diagnostic testing facilities to other OIE Member Countries

None

11. Organisation of international scientific meetings on behalf of OIE or other international bodies

We organised an international meeting on mycoplasmas at AHVLA in June 2011 entitled “Whats new in Mycoplasmology” which attreacted nearly 100 delegates from Europe, Middle East, Africa and the USA. This included talks on contagious agalactia, diagnostics, vaccines and molecular epidemiology


12. Participation in international scientific collaborative studies

None

13. Publication and dissemination of information relevant to the work of OIE (including list of scientific publications, internet publishing activities, presentations at international conferences)

¡  Presentations at international conferences and meetings

Nicholas, R.A.J. Molecular typing –a guide. Immunologia e benessere animale: strumente e indicatori della sanita pubblica veterinaria, IZS Sicilia Feb 2011

¡  Scientific publications in peer-reviewed journals

La Manna, M.P. Agnone, A. Villari, S. Puleio, R. Vitale, M. Nicholas, R. Sireci, G., Dieli F. and Loria G.R. (2011)Expansion of intracellular IFN-γ positive lymphocytes during Mycoplasma agalactiae infection in sheep. Research in Veterinary Science doi: 10.1016/j.rvsc 2011.01.029

Giangaspero, M., Nicholas, RAJ., Hlusek, M., Orusa, R. & Ayling, RD (2011)Seroepidemiological survey of sheep flocks from Northern Japan for Mycoplasma ovipneumniae and M. agalactiae. Tropical Animal Health and Production DOI 10.1007/s11250-011-9952-8

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Annual reports of OIE Reference Centres, 2011 3