First identification of Mycoplasma capricolum subspecies capripneumoniae in goats in Iran.

Mycoplasma capricolum subspecies capripneumoniae (Mccp) is the etiological agent of caprine contagious pleuropneumonia (CCPP) disease. The CCPP is one of the most severe diseases of goats. A herd of 2,000 goats located in the countryside of Tehran city, Iran, was examined for the study in August 2021. In history taking, observation, inspection and clinical examination, high case fatality rate (46.00%) due to respiratory distress and high morbidity of pleuropneumonia (15.00%) syndrome were recorded. Accordingly, ten carcasses of goats were dissected. The epidemiological pattern of the disease, clinical examination findings and the signs of necropsy of dead patients were suspected to CCPP. Four lung samples of necropsied goats were sent to the laboratory for PCR test and in all of them, Mccp was detected and CCPP was also confirmed. The disease was controlled by two measures: (a) the whole herd was first treated with antibiotics (florfenicol and tylosin) and (b) then the Pulmovac-In vaccine was then administered. This study is the first documented report of CCPP occurrence caused by Mccp in Iran and shows the importance of availability of effective vaccines to control and prevention of CCPP.