Genetic Diversity of Mycoplasma bovis Illuminated by Chilean Researchers

Strategic Insights -

A recent study published in the Journal of Veterinary Microbiology has shed light on the genetic diversity of Mycoplasma bovis, a significant bacterial pathogen affecting cattle worldwide. The research, conducted by a team of scientists from Universidad Austral de Chile, aimed to determine the genetic diversity of M. bovis isolates from Chilean dairy cattle and evaluate their genetic relatedness with strains isolated in other countries over the past two decades.

Key Takeaways:

  • The study found that the M. bovis population in Chile is highly homogeneous, with the dominant clone being ST60, representing 97.8% of the isolates, while a single isolate was typed as ST12 (2.2%).
  • Phylogenomic analysis revealed close genetic relatedness among most Chilean isolates, showing a close genetic relationship with North American strains, forming a tight clade with Canadian ST60 strains.
  • The pangenome analysis confirmed that M. bovis has an open pangenome, with a large range of accessory genes that remain largely unexplored, offering key insights into its genome plasticity.
  • The study provided the first insights into the Chilean population structure of M. bovis, contributing to the global epidemiology of this pathogen with a focus on South America.
  • The dominant clone, ST60, was found to be highly related to North American strains, suggesting a potential common ancestry.

Statistics:

  • 97.8% of M. bovis isolates in Chile were found to be of the ST60 clone.
  • 2.2% of M. bovis isolates in Chile were found to be of the ST12 clone.
  • The study analyzed 24 M. bovis isolates from Chilean dairy cattle.

Sources:

  • Genetic diversity of Mycoplasma bovis isolated from bovine respiratory disease and bovine mastitis in Chile (2025);Veterinary Microbiology;311:110752
  • NewsRx. New Data from Universidad Austral de Chile Illuminate Findings in Mycoplasma bovis (Genetic diversity of Mycoplasma bovis isolated from bovine respiratory disease and bovine mastitis in Chile). Agriculture Week. October 30, 2025; p 158.