Over the last decade, interest in mycoplasmas has been greatly sti- lated by the spread of contagious bovine pleuropneumonia (CBPP), caused by Mycoplasma mycoides subsp. mycoides SC, in Europe and Africa and the discovery of a possible association between mycoplasmas and AIDS. During this period there has also been a recognition by control authorities and int- national organizations, including the Office International des Epizooties, that mycoplasmas are major causes of economic loss in livestock and continue to be a problem in humans as a result of a range of chronic respiratory and...

Mycoplasmas are the smallest of free-living organisms and are intermediate between viruses and bacteria. Many species thrive as parasites in animal (including human) hosts. This book is based on proceedings of a conference held in Palermo, Italy. It reviews some of the most important mycoplasma diseases of sheep, goats and cattle including contagious bovine pleuropneumonia, contagious agalactia and calf pneumonia, which are listed by the OIE because of their economic implications.