Molecular characterization of peste des petits ruminants virus and Mycoplasma capricolum subsp. capripneumoniae in small ruminants in northern Mauritania, 2023.

Global eradication of peste des petits ruminants (PPR) is planned for 2030 by international animal health organizations in collaboration with national partners. As the deadline approaches, it is fundamental that the PPR status in each country is determined. In addition, the identification of other pathogens of small ruminants that share common geographical locations and can produce similar clinical signs is also important for differential diagnosis. With this in mind, 37 samples collected from goats and sheep presenting respiratory symptoms in Mauritania in 2023 were screened for the presence of PPR virus, Capripoxvirus, Pasteurella multocida and Mycoplasma capricolum subspecies capripneumoniae (Mccp) using a one-step multiplex RT-qPCR assay. None of the samples were positive for Capripoxvirus or P. multocida. Nine of them were positive for PPRV and sequence analysis of a segment of the PPRV nucleoprotein revealed that they belonged to lineage IV and were similar to viruses recently identified in Côte D'Ivoire, Guinea, and Niger indicating transboundary movement. The full genome of one representative virus was also generated. Mccp was identified in eight samples and multi-locus sequence analysis (MLSA) identified them as belonging to MLSA Group 3 together with Mccps identified in China, Tajikistan, Turkey and the United Arab Emirates. This is the first time that such a study has been undertaken in Mauritania and the data generated should be of interest to those involved in the management of goat diseases in Mauritania and neighbouring countries.