Difference between revisions of "Mycoplasma meleagridis"
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|species = ''M. meleagridis'' | |species = ''M. meleagridis'' | ||
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| − | Disease Also Known As | + | 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. | + | ''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== | ||
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''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 | + | 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. | ||
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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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| + | {{review}} | ||
[[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: | + | [[Category:CABI Expert Review]] |
Revision as of 20:33, 8 July 2011
| Mycoplasma meleagridis | |
|---|---|
| Phylum | Firmicutes |
| Class | Mollicutes |
| Order | Mycoplasmatales |
| Family | Mycoplasmataceae |
| Genus | Mycoplasma |
| Species | M. meleagridis |
Disease Also Known As: Mycoplasma Air Sacculitis – Mycoplasma Infectious Stunting - Mycoplasmosis
Introduction
Mycoplasma meleagridis is a small 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 Mycoplasma family but is serologically distinct.
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 ticks can also act as a vector. See Tick Disease Transmission for more details on ticks as vectors of disease.
Signalment
M. meleagridis usually affects young poults under 16 weeks of age.
It has also been isolated from healthy wild turkeys[1] and birds of prey.[2]
Clinical Signs
Often very few outward signs are caused, except for a reduced growth rate, which varies in severity.
Birds are often emaciated and unthrifty. Abnormal breathing sounds, tachypnoea, nasal discharge and sneezing are the usual signals of mycoplasmal air sacculitis but present similarly to many other respiratory pathogens.
Skeletal perosis (slipped tendons causing distal limb luxations and deformities) may affect up to 10% of a flock and can be uni or bi-lateral. This may cause lameness and limb swelling. Occasionally, crooked necks and abnormal feathers are also seen. Flock mortality may also increase. Neurological and ophthalmological disease has also been noted in some cases.
Reproductive signs include decreased egg production and reduced hatchability.
Diagnosis
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.
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.
Perosis of the tibiotarsal and tarso-metatarsal bones is also seen, although less frequently and is occasionally accompanied by cervical vertebral deviation.
Treatment
Tylosin is the most commonly used and effective antibiotic and can be given in water for the first ten days of life. Lincomycin, spectinomycin and gentamycin have also been used with success.
Eggs can also be treated by dipping in cold tylosin solution for 15-20 minutes or by heating to 46-47⁰ for 11-14h before incubation, although heating in particular can reduce fertility.
Control
Eradication is difficult due to vertical transmission from infected hens.
Testing of males or semen for artificially inseminated flocks is imperative. Swabs and samples should also be taken during the breeding season.
The disease is not seen as economically important enough to justify production of a vaccine.
| Mycoplasma meleagridis Learning Resources | |
|---|---|
 Test your knowledge using flashcard type questions |
M. meleagridis Flashcards |
References
- ↑ Stipkovitis, L., Kempf, I (1996) Mycoplasmoses in poultry. Revue Scientifique et Technique - Office International des épizooties, 15(4):1495-1525; 107
- ↑ 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.
Animal Health & Production Compendium, Mycoplasma meleagridis 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/
 |
This article has been peer reviewed but is awaiting expert review. If you would like to help with this, please see more information about expert reviewing. |