Detection of mycoplasma species in turkeys by culture and polymerase chain reaction

Isolation of Mycoplasma iowae in turkey flocks with skeletal abnormalities: a retrospective study

Mycoplasma iowae, a pathogen affecting the turkey industry, is commonly associated with decreased hatchability and leg abnormalities in young progeny. This Mycoplasma was in the spotlight more in the past than today since its prevalence has been decreasing over time. Reports of M. iowae in turkeys showing reduced growth performances, leg problems and skeletal abnormalities are scarce although there is no report whether this pathogen has been completely eradicated in commercial turkeys. Additionally, there are no comprehensive epidemiological data available on M. iowae prevalence in any country. Therefore, we carried out a retrospective study to evaluate the prevalence of the infection and any correlation between necropsy findings and M. iowae presence in Italian turkeys between 2011 and 2012. Necropsy was performed on 101 dead turkey submissions presented for diagnostic purposes. Fifty-six submissions (55.4%) tested positive for M. iowae, most of which (69.6%) were between 4 and 7 weeks of age. Skeletal abnormalities were observed in 36 cases (35.6%). The logistic regression analysis revealed that the probability of finding a M. iowae-positive submission was four times higher if the animals showed skeletal abnormalities (OR = 4.48, IC 95%: 1.66-12.15). This is the first retrospective, cross-sectional study on M. iowae field outbreaks in commercial turkeys. These results suggest that M. iowae should be considered as a differential diagnosis when skeletal abnormalities are observed. RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTSM. iowae was found in more than half of the turkey groups analysed.M. iowae was likely to be detected if skeletal abnormalities were present in the studied turkeys.

Antibacterial susceptibility testing of Mycoplasma gallisepticum isolated from poultry

This is the first study on antibacterial susceptibility of M. gallisepticum in Maharashtra state of India. Since the use of live mycoplasma vaccines is not widely allowed in the country; the use of antimicrobials remains the most common and effective means for controlling mycoplasma infections in poultry farms. Therefore, the current study aimed to study emergence of resistance in MG to antibacterial agents and to find out the effective antibacterial agent for treatment of CRD. In disc diffusion method, all 25 M. gallisepticum isolates were highly sensitive to tylosin followed by enrofloxacin and oxytetracycline. Till date, tylosin was the most effective therapeutic agent at lowest concentration for treatment of CRD. However, higher MIC values of isolates than ATCC strain are indication of initiation of emergence of antibacterial drug resistance in M. gallisepticum. Therefore, it is advised to select effective antibiotic based on the result of susceptibility test for the treatment of CRD to prevent further emergence of drug resistance.