Characterization, ribotyping and capsular PCR typing of Pasteurella multocida isolated from Iranian sheep and goats

Pasteurella multocida is considered to be an important cause of ovine pneumonia and results causes considerable economic losses in Iran. Ribotyping PCR (Ribo-PCR) was used for investigating the diversity of ovine and caprine P.multocida. A total of ۱۲۰ swab tonsil and nasal samples were obtained from sheep and goats. They were analyzed by biochemical tests and Ribo-PCR ۱۶S-۲۳S ribosomal RNA genes. Twenty samples representing Pasteurella phenotypes by Entero rapid kit and ۱۷ out of ۲۰ isolates were identified as P.multocida. Capsular type A was dominant among the isolates and was variable than serogroup D. Nine isolates including JF۶۹۴۰۰۴.۱ and ۸ isolates including JF۶۸۱۹۷۳.۱ showed ۱۰۰% and ۹۴% similarity, respectively. Two minor cluster I and II was obtained with no significant diversity among the isolates. Cluster II was divided in four sub cluster including IIa, IIb, IIc and IId. Molecular approaches such as Ribo-PCR are necessary for determining and characterizing the diversity of P. multocida and understanding their interactions with host. The study has been the sensitive levels of Ribo-PCR in epidemiological studies of pasteurellosis, however, correlation among diversity of isolates and host origin is not fully understood.