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''M. synoviae'' causes '''[[Bacteria |bacterial]]''' disease affecting the '''joints, bones''' and [[Avian Respiration - Anatomy & Physiology|'''respiratory''' system of '''birds''']]. It is one of the [[Mycoplasmas |mycoplasma]] genus of bacteria.

''M. synoviae'' causes '''[[Bacteria |bacterial]]''' disease affecting the '''joints, bones''' and [[Avian Respiration - Anatomy & Physiology|'''respiratory''' system of '''birds''']]. It is one of the [[Mycoplasmas |mycoplasma]] genus of bacteria.

It is closely related to [[Mycoplasma gallisepticum |''M. gallisepticum'']] which causes chronic respiratory disease in poultry.

''M; synoviae'' shares some antigens with [[Mycoplasma gallisepticum |''M. gallisepticum'']] which causes chronic respiratory disease in poultry, but is distinct by most serological tests.

''M. synoviae'' is endemic in parts of Europe and causes significant production losses particularly in '''egg production'''.

''M. synoviae'' is endemic in parts of Europe and causes significant production losses particularly in '''egg production'''. Very recently the mycoplasma has been associated with eggshell apex abnormalities (EAA)<ref>Catania, S., Bilato, D., Gobbo, F., Granato, A., Iob, L and Nicholas R.A.J. (2010) '''Treatment of egg-shell abnormalities and reduced egg production caused by ''Mycoplasma synoviae'' infection.''' ''Avian Diseases'' 54, 961-964</ref>.

==Distribution==

==Distribution==

Thought to likely be worldwide but recording is unreliable.  

Thought to be worldwide but recording is unreliable.  

Mycoplasma can be '''transmitted''' to progeny through '''eggs''' and through '''direct and indirect contact''' between birds.

Mycoplasma can be '''transmitted''' to progeny through '''eggs''' and through '''direct and indirect contact''' between birds.

Torticollis and other neurological signs may occur in some severe cases.

Torticollis and other neurological signs may occur in some severe cases.

==Diagnosis==

==Diagnosis==

''M. synoviae'' can then be definitively identified by '''[[immunofluorescence]]''' and '''PCR'''.

''M. synoviae'' can then be definitively identified by '''[[immunofluorescence]]''' and '''PCR'''.

[[ELISA testing |'''ELISA''']] can be used for serological diagnosis and are excellent for detecting antibodies in egg yolk which is valuable for flock status investigation.

[[ELISA testing |'''ELISAs''']] can be used for serological diagnosis and are excellent for detecting antibodies in egg yolk which is valuable for flock status investigation. However the slide agglutination test (SAT) is still widely used in industry.

 

Specific immunoblotting tests are available in some specialist laboratories to confirm results of the ELISAs and SATs.

==Treatment==

==Treatment==

Control is hampered by the increasing resistance of ''M. synoviae'' to antibiotics.  

Control is hampered by the increasing resistance of ''M. synoviae'' to antibiotics.  

No vaccine is available and infection is difficult to control due its aerosolic, vertical and contact transmission.

A vaccine containing a temperature-sensitive strain (MS-H) of Mycoplasma synoviae is currently used in many countries around the world. The duration of protective immunity is at least 40 weeks and has been shown to be protective against EAA.

|date =6 June 2011

|date =6 June 2011

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[[Category:Mycoplasmas]]

[[Category:Mycoplasmas]]

[[Category:Avian Bacteria]]

[[Category:Avian Bacteria]]

[[Category:Musculoskeletal Diseases - Birds]]

[[Category:Musculoskeletal Diseases - Birds]]

[[Category:CABI Expert Review]]

[[Category:CABI Expert Review]]