NC_009497:329397 Mycoplasma agalactiae PG2 chromosome, complete genome
Host Lineage: Mycoplasma agalactiae; Mycoplasma; Mycoplasmataceae; Mycoplasmatales; Tenericutes; Bacteria
General Information: Causative agent of contagious agalactia in sheep and goats. This genus currently comprizes more than 120 obligate parasitic species found in the wide spectrum of hosts, including humans, animals, insects and plants. The primary habitats of human and animal mycoplasmas are mucouse membranes of the respiratory and urogenital tracts, eyes, mammary glands and the joints. Infection that proceeds through attachment of the bacteria to the host cell via specialized surface proteins, adhesins, and subsequent invation, results in prolonged intracellular persistence that may cause lethality. Once detected in association with their eukaryotic host tissue, most of mycoplasmas can be cultivated in the absence of a host if their extremely fastidious growth requirements are met. Mycoplasma agalactiae causes mastitis (infection of the mammary glands), arthritis, and pneumonia in sheep and goats. Asymptomatic animals can carry and spread the disease, makng detection and erradication difficult. This disease is widespread in the Mediterranean and is of considerable economic importance, causing decreased yields of milk, and mortality or slowed growth of kids and lambs.