Detection of Mycoplasma species in raw milk of lactating animals in Assiut and Qena city of Egypt

The incidence of Mycoplasma Species in raw milk of different animal species was determined. A total of 240 random raw milk samples were collected from cows, buffaloes, sheep and goats in Assiut and Qena cities, Egypt (30 samples each). Fifteen strains of Mycoplasma were isolated from raw milk. The strains were biochemically characterized followed by PCR assay for confirmation. On the basis of biochemical characterization the strains were divided into 5 species as follow M arginini, M. bovirhinis, M. bovis, M species group 7, and M. dispar. M bovis could not be detected. The most prevalent isolated species was M. bovirhinis which was isolated from 6.67% of cow's milk samples collected from Assiut City. Whereas M. arginini, was the most prevalent species in the examined milk samples collected from Qena City. None of the five M bovirhinis strains that were identified biochemically were confirmed by PCR assay through amplification of 16S rRNA region of the gene that was amplified at 316 bp. Efforts should be made to protect animals against mycoplasma infection. Key Words: Raw milk, Mycoplasma bovirhinis, PCR assay.