Mycoplasma synoviae
| Mycoplasma synoviae | |
|---|---|
| Phylum | Firmicutes |
| Class | Mollicutes |
| Order | Mycoplasmatales |
| Family | Mycoplasmataceae |
| Genus | Mycoplasma |
| Species | M.synoviae |
Also Known As — Infectious synovitis — Avian mycoplasmosis — Infectious sinusitis — Mycoplasma arthritis
Caused By — Mycoplasma synoviae
Introduction
M. synoviae causes bacterial disease affecting the joints, bones and respiratory system of birds. It is one of the mycoplasma genus’ of bacteria.
It is closely related to M. Gallisepticum which causes chronic respiratory disease in poultry.
M. synoviae is endemic in parts of Europe and causes significant production losses particularly in egg production.
Distribution
Thought to likely be worldwide but recording is unreliable.
Mycoplasma can be transmitted to progeny through eggs and through direct and indirect contact between birds.
Signalment
Affects mainly chickens and turkeys, with chickens the most susceptible.
It can also affect game and wild birds.
Clinical Signs
Lameness, abnormal curvature of the limbs, deviation of the limbs and feet, stiff gait.
Dehydration, decreased production, reluctance to move
Tachypnoea, sneezing, purulent nasal discharge, open mouth breathing
Torticollis and other neurological signs
Diagnosis
Clinical signs and necropsy findings are suggestive but not pathognomic so laboratory diagnosis is necessary.
On post-mortem, air sacculitis and arthritis with a caseous exudate are evident.
Bacteria can be isolated and cultured from wet swabs of the trachea, oropharynx, eye, nose or cloaca in live birds. If sampling a dead bird, sterile samples of synovial fluid and air sac samples should be taken.
M. synoviae can then be definitively identified by immunofluorescence and PCR.
ELISA can be used for serological diagnosis and are excellent for detecting antibodies in egg yolk which is valuable for flock status investigation.
Treatment
M. synoviae is susceptible to tilmicosin, tylosin, enrofloxacin and oxytetacyclines in vitro but resistance is increasing in vivo.
Eggs can be dipped in cold chlortetracycline antibiotic solution for 15-20 minutes or heat treated to 46-47⁰ for 11-14 hours prior to incubation.
Control
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.
References
Animal Health & ProductIon Compendium, Mycoplasma synoviae datasheet, accessed 06/06/2011 @ http://www.cabi.org/ahpc/
Animal Health & ProductIon Compendium, Mycoplasma synoviae infections datasheet, accessed 06/06/2011 @ http://www.cabi.org/ahpc/
Literature Search
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Mycoplasma synoviae publications