Mycoplasmoses of small ruminants: Contagious Agalactia syndrome

Contagious Agalactia syndrome is due to four main (sub) species of Mycoplasma causing long-lasting and often silent infections. Symptoms, when they occur, are variable according to Mycoplasma and host species, age and physiological status. At the flock/herd level, the most frequent clinical picture includes a mammary, respiratory, joint and ocular expression which is often incomplete. Bacteriological (and sometimes serological) confirmation of epidemio-clinical suspicions is necessary for definitive diagnosis. Antibiotherapy generally does not allow the cure of infection. Current vaccines are knot sufficiently efficients to prevent Contagious Agalactia infection and are not commercialised in France. Validation and application of control plans are variable according to husbandry type and mycoplasma species; they are effective in the French ovine or caprine districts strictly applying a sanitary policy against M. agalactiae.