Characterization of Pasteurellaspp isolated from healthy domestic pack goats and evaluation of the effects of a commercial Pasteurella vaccine

Abstract

Multiple strains of P haemolytica and P trehalosi belonging to nonhemolytic and beta-hemolytic biovariant groups were isolated from the pharynx of healthy domestic pack goats. Because hemolytic activity correlates with leukotoxin production, beta-hemolytic strains may have a greater potential to cause disease in naive populations of wild ruminants. However, vaccination with an A1 serotype bacterin did not decrease the proportion of culture-positive goats.

Sharing of Pasteurella spp. Between Free-ranging Bighorn Sheep and Feral Goats

“…In addition a review of numerous reports of pneumonic epizootics in bighorn sheep after contact with domestic sheep suggests transmission of disease causing organisms from domestic sheep to free-ranging bighorn sheep (Martin et al, 1996). Domestic goats also carry a variety of Pasteurella strains (Midwinter et al, 1985;Viera et al, 1993;Ward et al, 2002). In this report we present evidence which suggests transmission of unique Pasteurella strains from feral goats to free-ranging bighorn sheep in two locations near the Hells Canyon National Recreation Area (46Њ10ЈN, 117Њ00ЈW) in Idaho, Oregon, and Washington (USA).…”

“…Such strains are considered to have a high disease potential for bighorn sheep because their neutro- phils are reported to be highly sensitive to leukotoxin produced by tested biovariant 1 isolates (Silflow and Foreyt, 1994). In contrast biovariant U ␤ isolates have been cultured from multiple hosts including bison, moose, and domestic goats (Jaworski et al, 1998;Dyer et al, 2001;Ward et al, 2002), as well as clinically healthy bighorn sheep sampled in Arizona, Idaho, Nevada, and Canada (Ward, unpubl. ) and are considered to have a relatively low disease potential for bighorn sheep.…”

“…This system, which retains the name Pasteurella haemolytica, has a greater capacity than that of Angen et al (1999) to differentiate isolates into distinguishable groups based on biochemical utilization. More than 4,000 isolates, primarily from North American native ruminants, have been differentiated into more than 70 biovariant groups (Jaworski et al, 1998;Ward et al, 1999;Ward, unpubl. ).…”

Potential disease agents in domestic goats and relevance to bighorn sheep (Ovis canadensis) management

“…Swabs were plated on blood agar plates and incubated using standard bacteriological techniques [20]. Pasteurellacae were identified to biogroups [17, 21] and phenotypic characteristics were used to delineate the various Mannheimia species [22]. …”

“…Domestic pack goats harbor several Pasteurella spp. that are considered to be potential pathogens for BHS [17]. The possibility for transmission of disease agents between domestic goats used as pack animals and for weed management and BHS should be part of the management of domestic goats in areas in or near BHS habitat.…”