Ocorrência de DNA de Mollicutes no trato genital de fêmeas bubalinas (Bubalus bubalis) no estado de Pernambuco

Abstract

The objective of this research was to determine the occurrence of DNA from microorganisms of the Mollicutes class in the genital tract of buffalo females in the state of Pernambuco. We analyzed 292 vaginal swab samples from buffaloes of reproductive age from nine farms, distributed in five municipalities. Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) was used for DNA detection. The occurrence of Mollicutes positive females was 4.8% (14/292). Regarding the number of properties with positive females, it was found that 44.4% (4/9) of the properties had at least one female infected with Mollicutes. PCR positive samples were cultured in specific media, but no characteristic colonies were grown. It is concluded that DNA of the microorganisms of the class Mollicutes are present in the reproductive tract of buffaloes in the state of Pernambuco. Despite the low occurrence, the presence of the DNA of these microorganisms must be investigated in order to evaluate if species pathogenic to the reproductive tract can be present in these herds causing possible economic losses to the breeders.