Overview of mycoplasmoses in sheep and goats.

Over the past few years the role of Mycoplasma F38 in contagious caprine pleuropneumonia has been confirmed in Sudan as well as in Kenya, and further disease outbreaks involving the subspecies of M. mycoides have also occurred in goats. Recent work on the epidemiology of some of the mycoplasmoses of goats has established that feeding of contaminated colostrum is a significant method of transmission of disease to kids. Standard tests for freedom from mycoplasma infection are urgently needed to assist regulatory authorities to permit movement of sheep, goats and cattle within and between countries, and there are indications that serological tests may not always be adequate. Measures to improve this situation are discussed.