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|species = ''M. meleagridis''
|species = ''M. meleagridis''
}}
}}
Disease Also Known As – '''''Mycoplasma air sacculitis – Mycoplasma infectious stunting - Mycoplasmosis'''''
Disease Also Known As: '''''Mycoplasma Air Sacculitis – Mycoplasma Infectious Stunting - Mycoplasmosis'''''
==Introduction==
==Introduction==
'''''Mycoplasma meleagridis''''' is a '''small [[Bacteria|bacterial]] pathogen''' that causes '''air sacculitis, musculoskeletal disease/deformities and reproductive problems''' in turkeys and occasionally wild birds.
'''''Mycoplasma meleagridis''''' is a '''small [[Bacteria|bacterial]] pathogen''' that causes '''air sacculitis, musculoskeletal disease/deformities''' and '''reproductive problems''' in turkeys and occasionally wild birds.
It shares antigens with many other members of its [[Mycoplasmas|Mycoplasma family]] but is serologically distinct.
It shares antigens with many other members of its [[Mycoplasmas|''Mycoplasma'' family]] but is serologically distinct.
==Distribution==
==Distribution==
''M. meleagridis'' is assumed to be present '''wherever turkeys are reared''', which likely makes the disease of global distribution.
''M. meleagridis'' is assumed to be present '''wherever turkeys are reared''', which likely makes the disease of global distribution.
''M. meleagridis'' is transmitted mainly '''vertically from infected hen’s oviducts''' to their progeny via the egg and also via '''semen. [[Ixodes spp.]] [[Ticks|ticks]]''' can also act as a vector. See [[Tick Disease Transmission]] for more details on ticks as vectors of disease.
''M. meleagridis'' is transmitted mainly '''vertically from infected hen’s oviducts''' to their progeny via the egg and also via '''semen. [[Ixodes spp.|''Ixodes'' ticks]]''' can also act as a vector. See [[Tick Disease Transmission]] for more details on ticks as vectors of disease.
==Signalment==
==Signalment==
''M. meleagridis'' usually affects young poults '''under 16 weeks''' of age.
''M. meleagridis'' usually affects young poults '''under 16 weeks''' of age.
It has also been isolated from healthy wild turkeys<ref> Stipkovitis, L., Kempf, I (1996) Mycoplasmoses in poultry. Revue Scientifique et Technique - Office International des épizooties, 15(4):1495-1525; 107</ref> and birds of prey.<ref>Lierz, M., Schmidt, R., Brunnberg, L., Runge, M (2000) '''Isolation of Mycoplasma meleagridis from free-ranging birds of prey in Germany'''. J Vet Med, Series-B, 47:63-67.</ref>
It has also been isolated from healthy wild turkeys<ref> Stipkovitis, L., Kempf, I (1996) '''Mycoplasmoses in poultry.''''' Revue Scientifique et Technique - Office International des épizooties'', 15(4):1495-1525; 107</ref> and birds of prey.<ref>Lierz, M., Schmidt, R., Brunnberg, L., Runge, M (2000) '''Isolation of Mycoplasma meleagridis from free-ranging birds of prey in Germany'''. ''J Vet Med, Series-B'', 47:63-67.</ref>
==Clinical Signs==
==Clinical Signs==
''M. meleagridis'' can be '''isolated''' from the upper respiratory tract, air sacs, phallus, semen, cloaca and sinuses. Swabs or exudates can be cultured on '''Mycoplasma agar and broth media'''. It is important that this is either done immediately, or that transport to a laboratory is rapid and in a cool, moist environment. Colonies may take up to 7 days to appear and often eventually form a '''typical fried egg appearance''': small and flat with rough centres.
''M. meleagridis'' can be '''isolated''' from the upper respiratory tract, air sacs, phallus, semen, cloaca and sinuses. Swabs or exudates can be cultured on '''Mycoplasma agar and broth media'''. It is important that this is either done immediately, or that transport to a laboratory is rapid and in a cool, moist environment. Colonies may take up to 7 days to appear and often eventually form a '''typical fried egg appearance''': small and flat with rough centres.
The bacterium can then be identified using '''PCR''' or serological tests including '''growth inhibition, metabolic inhibition and immunofluorescence''', of which immunofluorescence is preferred due to its efficacy even in mixed cultures. PCR can sometimes also be performed directly on tracheal or cloacal swabs.
The bacterium can then be identified using '''PCR''' or serological tests including '''growth inhibition, metabolic inhibition and [[immunofluorescence]]''', of which immunofluorescence is preferred due to its efficacy even in mixed cultures. PCR can sometimes also be performed directly on tracheal or cloacal swabs.
'''[[ELISA testing|ELISAs]]''' are available and effective for antibody detection and can also be used on egg yolk. They have almost totally replaced the slide agglutination test which was insensitive.
'''[[ELISA testing|ELISAs]]''' are available and effective for antibody detection and can also be used on egg yolk. They have almost totally replaced the slide [[agglutination]] test which was insensitive.
On '''post-mortem, air sacculitis is the most common lesion found''', featuring thickened air sac walls with a caseous exudate within the sacs. Lymphoid nodules have been found in the air sacs of some affected turkeys. Changes usually become less marked with age. '''Synovitis and ascites''' are also regularly noted.
On '''post-mortem, air sacculitis''' is the most common lesion found, featuring thickened air sac walls with a caseous exudate within the sacs. Lymphoid nodules have been found in the air sacs of some affected turkeys. Changes usually become less marked with age. '''Synovitis''' and '''ascites''' are also regularly noted.
'''Perosis of the tibiotarsal and tarso-metatarsal''' bones is also seen, although less frequently and is occasionally accompanied by cervical vertebral deviation.
'''Perosis of the tibiotarsal and tarso-metatarsal''' bones is also seen, although less frequently and is occasionally accompanied by cervical vertebral deviation.
Animal Health & Production Compendium, '''Mycoplasma meleagridis infection datasheet''', accessed 01/07/2011 @ http://www.cabi.org/ahpc/
Animal Health & Production Compendium, '''Mycoplasma meleagridis infection datasheet''', accessed 01/07/2011 @ http://www.cabi.org/ahpc/
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[[Category:Mycoplasmas]] [[Category:Respiratory Diseases - Birds]] [[Category:Reproductive Diseases - Birds]] [[Category:Musculoskeletal Diseases - Birds]]
[[Category:Mycoplasmas]] [[Category:Respiratory Diseases - Birds]] [[Category:Reproductive Diseases - Birds]] [[Category:Musculoskeletal Diseases - Birds]]
[[Category:To Do - CABI review]]
[[Category:CABI Expert Review]]