Contagious caprine pleuropneumonia: some observations in a field vaccination trial using inactivated Mycoplasma strain F38.

The efficacy of an inactivated Mycoplasma strain F38-saponin vaccine in natural infection with contagious caprine pleuropneumonia was investigated. A total of 10,000 goats were vaccinated, out of which 400 were regularly monitored for a period of six months post-vaccination. Immunised animals remained free from infection throughout the period of observation.

Detection of antibody to mycoplasma F38 in goat sera by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.

An indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was developed to screen goat sera at a single dilution for antibody to mycoplasma F38. Antibody was detected in sera of six convalescent goats following experimental infection. Antibody was also detected in 34 sera three to four weeks after vaccination.

Efficacy of different adjuvants to potentiate the immune response to mycoplasma strain F-38.

A study was carried out to determine the efficacy of different adjuvants in enhancing antibody response to sonicated F-38 antigens. Goats were immunised against CCPP using antigens incorporated in Freund's incomplete adjuvant (IFA), saponin, aluminium hydroxide gel and buffered saline (PBS) respectively. Antibody responses were determined.

Treatment of contagious caprine pleuropneumonia.

A combination of dihydrostreptomycin sulphate (250 mg/ml) and penicillin G procaine (200,000 iu/ml) was used to treat contagious caprine pleuropneumonia caused by F38 strain of mycoplasma. A single dose of either 20, 30, 40 or 50 mg/kg body weight of the dihydrostreptomycin sulphate led to the recovery of the treated goats. The recovered goats did not transmit CCPP to susceptible goats housed with them for 2 months.