Detection of Contagious Caprine Pleuropneumonia in Three Provinces of Iran: 2017-2018.

Abstract

Contagious caprine pleuropneumonia (CCPP), a highly contagious mycoplasmal disease, represents a significant threat to goat populations due to its rapid transmission. Despite the existence of CCPP cases in Iran, there has been a paucity of research conducted on this disease. To address this knowledge gap, the present cross-sectional study focused on the reporting and investigation of CCPP cases, along with the clinical signs and necropsy findings of this disease, in Tehran, Kermanshah, and Yazd provinces. An investigation was conducted into a CCPP outbreak affecting 4,400 goats on six breeding farms. The study encompassed both male and female goats of imported breeds, including Alpine (1,500), Saanen (1,700), and Murcia Granada (1,200), across a range of age groups. The clinical signs exhibited by the infected animals were meticulously observed and recorded, and comprehensive necropsy observations were documented. A variety of samples were obtained for polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing to confirm the presence of caprine pleuropneumonia virus (CPV), including nasal swabs (35), pleural fluid (65), and lung tissue (83). A total of 516 goats (11.7%) were diagnosed with CCPP, and among them, 287 goats (6.5%) unfortunately succumbed to the disease. The morbidity rates in Tehran, Kermanshah, and Yazd provinces were 11.7%, 12.7%, and 10.5%, respectively, while the corresponding mortality rates were 6.5%, 7.2%, and 5.7%. The principal clinical indications were fever (89%), anorexia (68%), nasal discharge (78%), dyspnoea (54%), painful coughing (96%), and grunting (84%). During necropsy examinations, the primary post-mortem signs observed were lung consolidation and hepatization (98.3%), the presence of extensive straw-coloured serous fluid and fibrinous exudate on the pleural surface (94%), alveolar cellular exudate (90.6%), and adhesion of lungs (46%). The clinical and necropsy findings were entirely consistent with a diagnosis of CCPP. Verification of the disease agent's existence was achieved in 183 cases (63.7%) based on the results of the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test. It is evident that there is a paucity of clinical and well-documented studies on CCPP disease in Iran. However, the findings of this study contribute to the expansion of our knowledge of CCPP and serve to raise awareness of its presence among Iranian goats. It is strongly recommended that vaccination be included as an essential measure for the prevention of CCPP.