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

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

The bacterium affects mainly chickens and turkeys, with chickens being the most susceptible. It can also affect game and wild birds.

Clinical Signs

Most birds exhibit lameness, abnormal curvature of the limbs, deviation of the limbs and feet and a stiff gait. Dehydration and decreased production usually manifest and birds are reluctant to move.

Tachypnoea, sneezing, purulent nasal discharge and open mouth breathing are common but non-specific.

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

Diagnosis

Clinical signs and necropsy findings are suggestive but not pathognomonic 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.

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References

This article was originally sourced from The Animal Health & Production Compendium (AHPC) published online by CABI during the OVAL Project. The datasheet was accessed on 6 June 2011.