Phallus-inflammation of ganders: clinical observations and comparative bacteriological examinations of healthy and altered organs

Evidence of Mycoplasma spp. transmission by migratory wild geese

Mycoplasma infections have been found in different species of waterfowl worldwide. However, the question of how the pathogens have been transmitted and dispersed is still poorly understood. Samples collected from clinically healthy greater white-fronted geese (Anser albifrons) (N = 12), graylag geese (Anser anser) (N = 6), taiga bean geese (Anser fabalis) (N = 10), and barnacle geese (Branta leucopsis) (N = 1) were tested for Mycoplasma spp. All Mycoplasma-positive samples were specified by species-specific PCR for Mycoplasma anserisalpingitidis (formerly known as Mycoplasma sp. 1220), M. anseris, M. anatis, and M. cloacale. The presence of Mycoplasma spp. was confirmed in 22 of 29 sampled birds (75.9%). Mycoplasma anserisalpingitidis was the most frequently detected species (15 of 22, 68.2%). However, we did not detect any of the other Mycoplasma spp. typical for geese, among which are M. anatis, M. anseris, and M. cloacale. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that Polish sequences of M. anserisalpingitidis formed a distinct branch, along with 2 Hungarian isolates obtained from domestic geese. Eight of the samples identified as Mycoplasma spp.-positive were negative for the aforementioned Mycoplasma species. A phylogenetic tree constructed based on partial 16S rRNA gene analysis showed that Mycoplasma spp. sequences collected from Polish wild geese represent a distinct phylogenetic group with Mycoplasma sp. strain 2445 isolated from a domestic goose from Austria. The results of our study showed that wild geese could be a reservoir and vector of different species of the Mycoplasma genus that can cause significant economic losses in the domestic goose industry.

A Novel Mycoplasma sp. Associated with Phallus Disease in Goose Breeders: Pathological and Bacteriological Findings

In April 2014, poor fertility in a major commercial goose breeder operation in California triggered the submission of six live affected Toulouse ganders ( Anser anser ) to the California Animal Health and Food Safety Laboratory, Turlock branch (University of California-Davis). Toulouse were principally affected among all breeds, and their egg fertility dropped from 65.7% to less than 33.9% in the first 40 days of the 2014 breeding season. The flock consisted of 410 adult birds, 90 males and 320 females, between 2 and 5 yr of age. Inspection of the flock revealed that 44.4% of the Toulouse ganders had severe phallic deformities that prevented them from mating. At postmortem examination, severe yellowish fibrocaseous exudate disrupted the architecture of the phallus and occasionally produced fistulating tracts through the wall of the organ. Microscopically, multifocal lymphoid nodules were noted in the mucosa and submucosa of the phallus and were associated with extensive granulomatous reaction, intralesional bacteria, and spermatozoa. Mycoplasma spp. were isolated from the phallus of affected and nonaffected birds, and PCR protocols targeting the 16S-23S ribosomal RNA intergenic spacer regions and the RNA polymerase beta subunit gene were performed to identify the isolates. Three distinct species were identified on sequencing and analysis using the National Center for Biotechnology Information basic local alignment search tool: Mycoplasma cloacale , Mycoplasma anseris , and an unknown novel Mycoplasma sp. Additionally, Pasteurella multocida , in combination with other bacteria, was also isolated from the phallic lesions and identified as serotype 3 with a DNA profile of 1511 (National Veterinary Service Laboratory). This is the first report of these Mycoplasma spp. and other bacteria associated with reproductive disease in ganders in the United States.

Venereal colibacillosis (acute vaginitis) in turkey breeder hens

Two flocks of turkey breeders experienced an increased mortality and high culling rate in the first weeks of egg production. The majority of dead and culled hens had cheesy core in the cloaca and vagina. Postmortem examination revealed fibrinous pseudomembranes in the vagina and cloaca. The thickness of these membranes posed an obstruction to egg passage leading to internal laying and egg peritonitis. Swabs from cloaca and vagina produced numerous colonies of only E. coli. Investigations of this unusual vaginitis showed that these two flocks had a higher number of immature hens with present hymens, and insemination crews mistakenly inseminated all hens in which they were able to evert the cloaca. Breaking the hymen with an insemination pipette created a wound and developed extensive infection with E. coli bacteria.

Isolation of mycoplasmas from clinically healthy adult breeding geese in Germany

Cloacal swabs from adult breeding geese of both sexes from six separate farms were culturally examined for mycoplasmas. Geese from these flocks did not show any clinical signs of illness, increased mortality or drop in egg production during the reproductive season. The results revealed the presence of mycoplasmas in all the flocks tested. Mycoplasma (M.) cloacale was found in 6 flocks, M. anseris in 4 flocks, Mycoplasma species 1220 in 3 flocks and non-identifiable Mycoplasmas in 2 flocks. More than one Mycoplasma species was simultaneously isolated from 14 out of 37 geese.