Mycoplasma bovis (recently renamed as Mycoplasmopsis bovis) causes pneumonia in calves and mastitis in adult cattle. Flanders has the worlds highest documented prevalence of M. bovis (30% in dairy and beef cattle, 100% in veal calves). The bacteria are highly contagious and antimicrobial treatment is often incompletely successful. The infection typically is already present subclinical for a certain period, resulting in less efficient treatment when the disease becomes clinical and is detected. Infections often become chronic and also subclinical carriers play an important role in the epidemiology. M. bovis infections heavily contribute to antimicrobial use in the cattle industry and are a major economic, animal welfare and human wellbeing problem. Purchase of animals is the main risk factor and prevention of the infection the most sustainable solution. Both to prevent introduction of the disease in a farm as to eradicate the infection from a herd reliable diagnostic tests are needed.

The aim of this project is to evaluate available diagnostic tests for M. bovis (PCR, ELISA, culture) and develop optimal testing strategies for different scenario’s in the different cattle sectors in Flanders. This eventually results in tools for the sector for purchase examination, eradication and certification of a free status. Additionally, in participating farms the combined use of diagnostic tests and quick scan ultrasonography (VLAIO LA project PneumoNEE) will be tested as a means to better control the infection with a minimal antimicobrial use.