THE MYCOPLASMA (PPLO)

SPECIES OF ANIMALS
IMPORTANCE IN AGRICULTURE
Since the Mycoplasma (PPLO) species are widely dispersed in nature
it is surprising that thev were ignored by the bacteriologist for so many
vears. Other than froml- man, Mycoplasmas have been isolated from most
domestic and laboratory animals and birds, where with few exceptions, the
strains are species specific. In addition, isolations have been miade from
sewage and decomposing organic materials indicating that these organisms
are ubiquitous in nature.
Mycoplasmas are known to be etiologically responsible for a number
of animal diseases, notably bovine pleuropneumonia, which is caused by
Mycoplasma imycoidcs. Fortunately this disease is unknown in Canada but
it is of great economic importance in Africa and Australia. Contagious
agalactia in sheep and goats is another disease caused by a Mycoplasma
which reached epizootic proportions in Europe and Eastern Asia at the end
of the last century. Most certainly, the severest economic losses due to
these microorganisms in this country have been suffered by the poultry
industry and are caused by three closely related species of Mycoplasma which
produce a tvpe of chronic respiratorv disease.
A renaissance of interest in these nmicroorganisms has occurred in
recent years as a result of the discoverv that enzootic pneumonia of swine
is due to a Mlycoplasma. The resulting loss in feed efficiency in growing hogs
is a costly one. One species of Mycoplasma causes polyserositis and arthritis
in weanling pigs and a second species sporadicallv causes a serous arthritis
in fattening hogs.
Other reports of isolations of these smallest known free-living micro-
organisms are appearing with more frequency and they have been cultured
from the infected organs in suchl pathological conditions as mastitis, pneu-
mlonia and arthritis in cattle in both the United States and Canada. Rigid
proof of their significance in these conditions has not yet been established.
Certain other diseases whose etiology is as yet unknown or incomplete-
ly understood may be due to Mycoplasma, which offers a challenging field
for research for veterinary bacteriologists. However, it should be emphasized
that neither diagnosis nor research should be undertaken without an
adequate preliminary training in coping with these fastidious organisms.
Contributed by Animal Pathology Division,
Health of Animals Branch,
Canada Department of Agriculture.
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comprise other sections of the publication. For
the busy practitioner who is asked frequently
by young people interested in a career in vet-
erinary medicine for information pertaining
to the profession, this booklet is the answer.
Student Enrolment At Guelph
The registrar at the University of Guelph
states that the freshman enrolment for the
coming year will total approximately 1410
students. The veterinary faculty will welcome
63 students in the first year. Freshman study-
ing for a degree in Arts prove to be the largest
group (314), with Agriculture second (257)
and Science third (225). The upper classmen
registration brings the total undergraduate
student body up to 3189. Another 350 students
are expected to register in the graduate
school. A conservative estimate of the total
student enrolment for this semester is 3539.
This grand total figure- as of September 15th-
compares with the total enrolment last year
of 2450.
Article In Reader's Digest
The advances in small animal medicine was
the principal theme of an article appearing
in a recent issue (August, 1966) of Reader's
Digest, a magazine with a monthly circula-
tion of more than 26 million copies. The ar-
ticle, entitled "Your Pet's Second Best Friend",
was written by Donald John Giese, and was
originally published in Dog World. Pointing
out that "we are now in the midst of a re-
markable revolution in veterinary medicine",
the article describes in detail the full range of
medical services the veterinary medical profes-
sion now uses to lengthen the lives of pet
animals while maintaining their well-being.
The article makes both interesting and in-
formed reading.
Book Received
MOVEMENT OF ANIMAL SEMEN IN
INTERNATIONAL TRADE
Animal Health Branch Monograph No. 8
A provisional draft of regulations of various
countries concerning the importation, ex-
portation, collection, preservation and use of
semen, and related question; pps. 147. FAO,
Rome, Italy.
Xlll
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B. pertussis C. albicans Trichinella
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and Standards
Fluorescent Antibodies and Reagents
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