PATHOLOGY OF INTRATRACHEAL MYCOPLASMA-MYCOIDES SUBSP CAPRI INFECTION IN GOATS

Pleuropneumonia was produced by intratracheal inoculation of Mycoplasm a mycoides subsp. capri in goats. The cardiac lobes were most frequent ly affected followed by apical and diaphragmatic lobes. Lungs were con solidated with thickened oedematous pleura and interlobular septa; cul surfaces gave marbled appearance. Mediastinal lymphnodes were enlarge d and congested. Microscopic lesions were of acute pleuropneumonia cha racterized by thickened pleura in continuation with interlobular septa , and infiltrated with neutrophils. Blood vessels and alveolar tissues were engorged. The consolidation was mostly due to the presence of ne utrophilic aggregates in alveoli and bronchioles. The trachea revealed focal erosion and neutrophilic infiltration. Lymphnodes exhibited neu trophilic infiltration and vasculitis.