Prevalence and Whole Genome Sequence Analysis of Mycoplasma bovis Isolates From Bulk Tank Milk of Dairy Farms in Tennessee, USA

ABSTRACT Background Mycoplasma bovis mastitis is an important disease of dairy cows that causes substantial economic losses. However, its prevalence in different states in the United States (US), including Tennessee, is not well known. Furthermore, recent studies showed a high prevalence of bovine hemotropic mycoplasmas in US dairy farms. Objectives Determine the prevalence of M. bovis in bulk tank milk (BTM) of dairy farms in Tennessee and evaluate the genetic diversity, virulence factors, and antimicrobial resistance genes of the identified isolates. In addition, the prevalence of Mycoplasma wenyonii and Candidatus Mycoplasma haemobos in the bulk tank milk was determined. Methods Seventy‐five BTM samples were collected from 59 dairy farms. Of the 59 farms, 56 are in Tennessee and the remaining 3 farms are in the neighboring states, Georgia (n = 2) and Alabama (n = 1). Milk samples were tested using bacterial culture, PCR, and qPCR. M. bovis isolates were genetically characterized by pangenome analysis. Results Of the 56 farms, 3 (5.3%) were positive for M. bovis by bacterial culture and 43 (76.7%) were positive by PCR. Pangenome analysis showed clustering of current isolates with mastitis isolates from the US, Israel, and Europe. Of 75 BTM samples tested by qPCR, 42 (56%) and 51 (68%) were positive for M. wenyonii and C. M. haemobos, respectively. Conclusions M. bovis intramammary infection is prevalent in Tennessee dairy farms.