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ARS Home » Midwest Area » Ames, Iowa » National Animal Disease Center » Ruminant Diseases and Immunology Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #303728
Title: Mycoplasam Bovis - an emerging pathogen of ranched bison

Author
item HUNTER, DAVID - Turner Endangered Species Fund
item Register, Karen
item WOODBURY, MURRAY - University Of Saskatchewan
item WINDEYER, CLAIRE - University Of Calgary
item PATYK, KELLY - Animal And Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS)
item SWEENEY, STEVEN - Animal And Plant Health Inspection Services (APHIS), National Wildlife Center

Submitted to: Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 5/5/2014
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Mycoplasma bovis (M. bovis) is an emerging bacterial pathogen that has caused severe disease among ranched bison (Bison bison) herds in North America. Unlike cattle, M. bovis in bison seems to be a primary pathogen, affecting animals in feedlots as well as breeding-age cows on pasture. Mortality rates in adult bison have been as high as 25 percent, resulting in significant economic losses to producers. Clinical signs of Mycoplasma bovis disease in bison have been variably reported as caseonecrotic pneumonia, pharyngitis, polyarthritis, dystocia and abortion, with lesions disseminated to various organ systems. Affected animals may be alert at the onset of disease, but may lag behind the rest of the herd due to lameness and exercise intolerance. Eventually, affected bison become emaciated and weak, usually leading to death or euthanasia. It is unknown to what extent epizootics of Mycoplasma bovis in bison are influenced by geographic and environmental variables, or by differences in bacterial strains or disease resistance among herds. Potential risk factors for M. bovis disease in bison include movement of bison among pastures or transshipment to feedlots, mixing of unfamiliar animals, abnormally hot or cold weather, seasonal decline in forage quality, stress of milk production, and excessive parasite loads. Immunological strategies to protect bison from Mycoplasma bovis outbreaks have yielded mixed results. Canadian and U.S. researchers have launched diagnostic and epidemiological studies of M. bovis disease in bison to explore some of these important topics.