Characterization of CCPP in Small Ruminants

Contagious Caprine pleuropneumonia (CCPP) is major threat to goat population world wide particularly in African countries, Middle East and subcontinent including Pakistan and Afghanistan. CCPP is caused by Mycoplasma mycoides cluster consist of six different spp having different lethal outcome. The diagnosis of this fatal disease is very difficult due to several constrains. The present study provides valuable information for the rapid and accurate diagnosis of this disease for both veterinary professional and researchers. PCR technique is more reliable and sensitive tools for diagnosis of CCPP. The Mycoplasma mycoides capri was isolated and identified from lungs tissues of infected goats. The disease was efficiently reproduced in experimental animals that adopted acute septicemic form with lethal outcomes. Immunohistochemical technique was first time optimized in Pakistan for detection of antigen within the tissues. The findings of this study will paved way for the preparation of vaccine from the field strain that would be used for effective eradication of this devastating disease from the goat population.