Mycoplasma hyorhinis

Mycoplasma hyorhinis
Phylum	Firmicutes
Class	Mollicutes
Order	Mycoplasmatales
Family	Mycoplasmataceae
Genus	Mycoplasma

Also Known As – Mycoplasma arthritis – Mycoplasma septicaemia – Mycoplasmal polyserositis

Introduction

Mycoplasma hyorhinis is a common bacterial commensal of pig’s respiratory tracts and an occasional cause of polyarthritis and polyserositis in young pigs.

M. hyorhinis is commonly associated with other pathogens, exacerbating and facilitating disease, especially Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae, the principle cause of Enzootic Pneumonia - Pigs, Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae and Arcanobacterium pyogenes.

M. hyorhinis is also implicated in many severe cases of Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome.

Pathogenesis

Clinical Disease is most common in young pigs under 10 weeks old.

Antigens persist in the tissues, especially the joints, long after infection has resolved, stimulating auto-immune mechanisms which further damage the joints, causing damage which may be permanent.

Disease

Chronic progressive polyserositis in pigs under 10 weeks old

Lameness and swollen joints, arthrogryposis

Fever

Laboured breathing, tachycardia

Aural discharge with a foul odour and deafness

Otitis media may cause a head tilt and vestibular signs.

Dysphagia and vomiting/regurgitation

Neurological and ocular signs

Rough, dull, staring hair coat

Serofibrinous pleurisy, pericarditis and peritonitis.

Diagnosis

Joint fluid, synovial membranes and samples from the pleura, pericardium and peritoneum can be used for culture of M. hyorhinis.

Immunofluorescent Antibody Testing (IFAT) is also possible.

Complement Fixation and Haemagglutination can be performed for serological diagnosis but are not widely available.

Antibodies can be detected in serum and synovial fluid, but not until 6 weeks post-infection.

Treatment

A variety of antibiotics are effective, including tetracycline, tiamulin, enrofloxacin, tylosin and lincomycin.

Mycoplasma hyorhinis Learning Resources
Flashcards Test your knowledge using flashcard type questions	Mycoplasma hyorhinis Flashcards

References

Animal Health & Production Compendium, Mycoplasma hyorhinis datasheet, accessed 15/06/2011 @ http://www.cabi.org/ahpc/