Presence of Ureaplasma diversum in the Australian cattle population

Abstract

In cattle, Ureaplasma diversum has been associated with decreased fertility, granular vulvovaginitis, endometritis, salpingitis and spontaneous abortion in cows and seminal vesiculitis, balanoposthitis and changes in bull sperm. The presence of U. diversum within the Australian cattle population has not been established. One of the aims of this study was to determine if U. diversum was present in Australian cattle, using culture and polymerase chain reaction (PCR), both of which are considered to be gold standards for bacterial identification. Of 100 samples collected from 66 male and 34 female cattle, 15 were positive for U. diversum. Therefore, Australia can no longer be considered free of U. diversum. Further studies should be conducted to ascertain the effects of U. diversum within Australian cattle herds and, if warranted, to investigate prevention, treatment and eradication protocols.

Assessment of cow and farm level risk factors associated with Ureaplasma diversum in pasture-based dairy systems - A field study

“…The average percentage (41.1%) of cows positive for U. diversum in the present study is similar to the percentage previously reported in Brazil and in other countries. In cattle, the presence of U. diversum has been reported in many countries (Canada, Costa Rica, France, England, United States of America, Brazil), and most recently in Australia, where researchers hypothesize that the lack of association between reproductive diseases and U. diversum detection may be caused by missing data or by misdiagnosed problems (Argue et al 2013). Some research teams have linked the identification of this bacterium with abortion, after performing additional tests in animals that had not been diagnosed through routine procedures (Watson et al 2012).…”

Infectious reproductive disease pathogens in dairy herd bulls

“…The discrepancies seen between the presence of lesions and a positive BHV‐1 PCR test may also be related to the lesions seen in PCR‐negative bulls being caused by other pathogens. The presence of an emerging genital infection that can cause balanoposthitis, Ureaplasma diversum , has recently been demonstrated in Australian cattle . Given that U .…”

“…The presence of an emerging genital infection that can cause balanoposthitis, Ureaplasma diversum, has recently been demonstrated in Australian cattle. 29 Given that U. diversum was found in the Upper Murray and Riverina regions of Victoria and New South Wales, it is possible that this pathogen is present in south-west Victoria. Another explanation for PCR-negative bulls with penile lesions is the presence of convalescing lesions in animals no longer shedding virus genitally.…”

Intra-uterine experimental infection by Ureaplasma diversum induces TNF-α mediated womb inflammation in mice

“…JAMILE R. SILVA et al embryo implantation diffi culties and some diseases of the urogenital tract are the most common clinical manifestations in infected cows (Taylor-Robinson et al 1967, Argue et al 2013. The compounds generated from the urea hydrolysis, as ammonia, are toxic to local cells .…”