Molecular Characterization of Respiratory Bacterial Pathogens in Large and Small Ruminants

Abstract

Bacterial isolates from different cases of respiratory infections in small and large ruminants were evaluated using bacterial culture and semi-nested PCR and identification was confirmed by DNA sequencing. Universal primers targeting the bacterial 16S rRNA for bacteria were used. Other sets of primers that were specific for Gram-positive bacteria and combinations of primers specific for Gram-negative organisms were used in the second PCR. The amplified PCR products were subjected to DNA sequence analysis. The DNA sequences of the isolated bacteria were aligned with the DNA sequences of bacteria in the GenBank through BLAST. Results confirmed isolation of three Gram-positive and two Gram-negative organisms. Gene sequence studies demonstrated identification of the Gram-positive microorganisms as Staphylococcus sciuri, Staphylococcus sporosarcinae and Bacillus pumilus while the identified Gram-negative organisms were Acinetobacter schindleri and Pseudomonas aeruginosa from ruminants manifesting clinical signs of respiratory infection.