Peter Rogers, [11 Feb 2025 at 8:01:04 AM]: “We have a group of gazelle that have tested positive for CCPP, so we put a test and cull policy in place. Would vaccinating them be better than a test and cull? Do vaccines help with immunity against a disease if the animal possibly has it? If we vaccinate, they will all test positive, and we won’t know if the test is a false positive. What would you suggest?” Good morning all - these are just a few questions from a client of mine in the UAE. I’m not familiar with this disease at all, so any comments/advice would be much appreciated please. David Pretorius, [11 Feb 2025 at 8:03:48 AM]: Contagious Caprine Pleuropneumonia (CCPP) is a highly contagious respiratory disease primarily described in domestic goats, caused by the bacterium Mycoplasma capricolum subsp. capripneumoniae (MCCP). Although goats are the main hosts, there have been occasional reports of similar clinical and pathological presentations in wild ungulates—including gazelles—particularly in regions where domestic goats and wild ruminants share grazing lands. Below are the technical details of the disease relevant to both goats and, by extension, gazelles: 1. Aetiology - Causative Agent: Mycoplasma capricolum subsp. capripneumoniae (MCCP) - Characteristics: Mycoplasmas are cell wall–less bacteria, which complicates both culture and treatment since many common antibiotics target cell wall synthesis. 2. Transmission - Routes: The pathogen spreads primarily via aerosolized droplets during close contact between infected and susceptible animals. - Risk Factors in Wildlife: When gazelles and domestic goats co-mingle (e.g., shared water or grazing resources), the risk of cross-species transmission increases. 3. Clinical Presentation - In Goats (Primary Host): - High fever - Severe respiratory distress (dyspnoea) - Persistent coughing and nasal discharge - Rapid progression to pneumonia with high morbidity and mortality - In Gazelles (Incidental or Spillover Hosts): - Similar respiratory signs may be observed, though the disease dynamics (such as incubation period and severity) can vary due to species-specific immune responses and physiological differences. 4. Pathology - Pulmonary Lesions: - Fibrinous pleuropneumonia characterized by thickened pleura, fibrin deposition, and consolidation of lung parenchyma. - In advanced cases, necrosis and extensive lung damage may be evident, leading to respiratory failure. - Gross Pathology: - Infected lungs typically exhibit areas of consolidation with a rubbery texture and may display pleural adhesions. 5. Diagnosis - Laboratory Methods: - Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR): Rapid and sensitive method to detect MCCP DNA from respiratory secretions or tissue samples. - Serological Tests: Useful for epidemiological surveys and confirming exposure, though cross-reactions with other mycoplasma species can occur. - Culture: Isolation is challenging due to the fastidious nature of mycoplasmas and requires specialized media and conditions. 6. Control and Management - In Domestic Settings: - Vaccination programs (where available) - Strict biosecurity measures and movement controls to limit spread. - For Wildlife and Interface Zones: - Minimizing contact between domestic livestock and wild ruminants is critical. - Surveillance and monitoring of disease outbreaks in wildlife populations can help prevent spillover events. 7. Relevance to Gazelles While gazelles are not the primary species affected by CCPP, under conditions of close contact with infected domestic goats, they can exhibit similar clinical and pathological manifestations. In such scenarios, the disease in gazelles is essentially the same entity as in goats—CCPP—characterized by acute respiratory distress and pneumonia. However, due to differences in species susceptibility and environmental factors, the epidemiology and clinical course in gazelles may not mirror that seen in domestic populations exactly. 7. Summary CCPP in gazelles refers to the same disease process as in goats—Contagious Caprine Pleuropneumonia—where gazelles, as incidental hosts, may develop a similar severe respiratory illness when exposed to Mycoplasma capricolum subsp. capripneumoniae. The disease is marked by rapid onset of pneumonia, fibrinous pleuritis, and high mortality if not managed appropriately, especially in mixed-species environments. Understanding the disease dynamics in both domestic and wild hosts is essential for developing integrated control strategies, particularly in areas where interspecies contact is inevitable. Jacques ODell, [11 Feb 2025 at 8:49:07 AM]: Hi Pete. I think JW had some experience with this. Peter Rogers, [11 Feb 2025 at 1:55:47 PM]: Thank yo
