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 120 swab tonsil and nasal samples were obtained from sheep and goats. They were analyzed by biochemical tests and Ribo-PCR 16S-23S ribosomal RNA genes. Twenty samples representing Pasteurella phenotypes by Entero rapid kit and 17 out of 20 isolates were identified as P.multocida. Capsular type A was dominant among the isolates and was variable than serogroup D. Nine isolates including JF694004.1 and 8 isolates including JF681973.1 showed 100% and 94% 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.