OCCURRENCE OF UREAPLASMA DIVERSUM IN THE GENITAL TRACT OF FEMALE BUFFALOES (BUBALUS BUBALIS)

We investigated the occurrence of Ureaplasma diversum in the genital tract of female buffaloes. A total of 292 vaginal swab samples of buffaloes of reproductive age from nine farms were analyzed. These were distributed in five cities of Pernambuco state, Brazil. DNA was detected using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technique. The frequency of females positive for U. diversum was 2.05% (6/292). Concerning the farms, 22.22% (2/9) of the investigated properties had at least one positive animal. Samples positive on PCR were inoculated in specific media for culturing Ureaplasma spp. However, there was no growth of characteristic colonies. This study documents the occurrence of infection by microorganisms of the species Ureaplasma diversum in the reproductive tract of buffalo females in the state of Pernambuco, Brazil. Thus, epidemiological investigations must be carried out with the presence of this microorganism should be investigated to assess the role of this pathogen as a causative agent of vulvovaginitis and abortions considering that these occurrences may decrease reproductive rates and cause negative economic impact in buffalo farming

Ocorrência de DNA de Mollicutes no trato genital de fêmeas bubalinas (Bubalus bubalis) no estado de Pernambuco

Objetivou-se com esta pesquisa determinar a ocorrência de DNA de micro-organismos da classe Mollicutes no trato genital de fêmeas bubalinas no estado de Pernambuco. Foram analisadas 292 amostras de swab vaginal procedentes de búfalas em idade reprodutiva de nove propriedades, distribuídas em cinco municípios. Para a detecção do DNA utilizou-se a Reação em Cadeia da Polimerase (PCR). A ocorrência de fêmeas positivas para Mollicutes foi 4,8% (14/292). Em relação ao número de propriedades com fêmeas positivas, constatou-se que 44,4% (4/9) das propriedades possuíam, ao menos, uma fêmea infectada por Mollicutes. As amostras positivas na PCR foram cultivadas em meios específicos, mas não houve crescimento de colônias características. Conclui-se que DNA dos micro-organismos da classe Mollicutes estão presentes no trato reprodutivo de búfalas no estado de Pernambuco. Apesar da baixa ocorrência, a presença do DNA desses micro-organismos deve ser investigada com o intuito de avaliar se espécies patogênicas para o trato reprodutivo podem estar presentes nestes rebanhos causando possíveis perdas econômicas aos criadores.The objective of this research was to determine the occurrence of DNA from microorganisms of the Mollicutes class in the genital tract of buffalo females in the state of Pernambuco. We analyzed 292 vaginal swab samples from buffaloes of reproductive age from nine farms, distributed in five municipalities. Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) was used for DNA detection. The occurrence of Mollicutes positive females was 4.8% (14/292). Regarding the number of properties with positive females, it was found that 44.4% (4/9) of the properties had at least one female infected with Mollicutes. PCR positive samples were cultured in specific media, but no characteristic colonies were grown. It is concluded that DNA of the microorganisms of the class Mollicutes are present in the reproductive tract of buffaloes in the state of Pernambuco. Despite the low occurrence, the presence of the DNA of these microorganisms must be investigated in order to evaluate if species pathogenic to the reproductive tract can be present in these herds causing possible economic losses to the breeders