A high level of strain variation within the Mycoplasma ovipneumoniae population of the UK has implications for disease diagnosis and management.

Mycoplasma ovipneumoniae is one of only two mycoplasma species associated with small ruminant disease in Britain and has been associated with an increasing number of disease outbreaks since 2002. This investigation used well-defined techniques to assess the variability of UK M. ovipneumoniae isolates, in an attempt to identify strain clusters within the population. Strains received for routine diagnosis between 2002 and 2004 were analysed using random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) and pulsed field gel electrophoresis (PFGE). Of the 43 samples screened 40 RAPD Hum-1, 41 RAPD Hum-4 and 40 PFGE profiles were observed. Composite data analysis divided strains into 10 similarity clusters with SDS-PAGE and Western blotting indicating that this DNA variability is translated into a pattern of variable protein expression. In order to assess the strains isolated within flocks two sets of samples, from diverse locations, were included in this test panel. The presence of variable isolates existing on the same farm may reflect animal movement and the introduction of asymptomatic, carrier, animals where M. ovipneumoniae is already established within a flock. These findings have significant implications regarding disease diagnosis and management.