Mycoplasma gallisepticum
Mycoplasma gallisepticum | |
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Electron micrograph of Mycoplasma gallisepticum, scale bar 140 nm | |
Scientific classification | |
Domain: | Bacteria |
Phylum: | Mycoplasmatota |
Class: | Mollicutes |
Order: | Mycoplasmatales |
Family: | Mycoplasmataceae |
Genus: | Mycoplasma |
Species: | M. gallisepticum
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Binomial name | |
Mycoplasma gallisepticum Edward and Kanarek 1960 (Approved Lists 1980)
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Mycoplasma gallisepticum (MG) is a
History
The disease was first described in 1905. It was described as a respiratory disease that was found in domestic poultry. However, it wasn't for another 50 years that the causative agent, Mycoplasma gallisepticum, was cultivated.[4]
In 1980, M. gallisepticum was isolated from wild turkeys in Colorado, Georgia and California. This was because of the mixture and close contact between the wild turkeys and domestic poultry during feeding time. This led to an increased awareness of the disease and health monitoring protocols in wild turkey restoration programs. These protocols are still being followed today by state wildlife agencies.[4]
House finches were introduced into the eastern U.S. from California in the 1940s after being released from the pet trade that became illegal. House finches at the time were called Hollywood finches.[5] In January 1994, the first house finches with symptoms of M. gallisepticum were observed in the Washington DC area, including part of Maryland and Virginia.[6] In the winter of 1994, an epidemic of mycoplasmal conjunctivitis caused by M. gallisepticum began in house finches.[4] In 1994, efforts were made across North America to collect data on the spread and prevalence of M. gallisepticum using the House Finch Disease Survey.[6] A few years later the epidemic that started in the mid-Atlantic states spread to the entire eastern population of house finches.[4] The only house finches to have this disease are those introduced to the eastern United States. It is believed that these house finches are less resistant to the disease because they were introduced and were highly inbred. The disease was stopped by the Rocky Mountains.[5]
Clinical signs
House finches
Mycoplasma gallisepticum infection in house finches (
Chickens
Some major clinical signs of M. gallisepticum in chickens include those of respiratory distress such as coughing, sneezing, slight to marked
Turkeys
Mycoplasma gallisepticum causes respiratory infection in turkeys which can induce sinusitis, pneumonia, and airsacculitis. With infectious sinusitis, the birds have symptoms of coughing, swollen sinuses, nasal and ocular discharge, tracheal rales, labored breathing, impaired vision, depression and weight loss. The disease can even cause death and found to especially occur if combined with
Other avian species
Other avian species that have been affected by this disease are pigeons, chukar partridges, quail, ducks, geese, pheasants, psittacine birds, and peafowl. Most songbirds are resistant except for the wild house finches and some similar species in North America.[7] Some exotic birds infected by this disease include greater flamingos, wild peregrine falcons in Spain, and yellow-naped Amazon parrots.[10]
Transmission
M. gallisepticum can be transmitted within some poultry eggs, which can come from infected breeders to progeny. Also, M. gallisepticum can be transmitted via infectious
Diagnosis
The greatest success in isolating M. gallisepticum has been from tissue swabs from live trapped or newly dead birds. In recent studies, it has been found that generally results obtained from dead birds are more reliable.
Health concerns
Mycoplasma gallisepticum causes respiratory disease and weakens the immune system which makes the bird vulnerable to any disease that they come into contact with. Small bubbles will appear in the corners of the eyes and sinuses will swell up. Once infected, they are carriers for the disease for life. Some birds have good resistance to the disease while others may die; some become ill and recover and others may not show any symptoms at all. There is currently no risk to humans. For domestic animals, there is a high concern and there should be a prevention of any interaction between wild birds and domestic poultry. Wild bird species affected by the disease are infectious and are often found in close contact with domestic species.[4]
Wildlife rehabilitation and treatment
Wildlife rehabilitators should be careful to not misdiagnose M. gallisepticum infection with other diseases with similar clinical signs, such as
Economic impact
Mycoplasma gallisepticum is believed to cost the worldwide poultry industry over $780 million every year. In the United States it is believed to cost over $120 million on egg production alone.[2] Infection can lead to the culling of an entire flock to prevent further spread.[2]
Since the disease causes reduced feed and growth production, carcass condemnations, and retarded growth in juveniles, serious economic losses have occurred.[4] Also, chickens have been documented to lose about 16 eggs over their laying cycle of 45 weeks. This adds up to be a loss of about $140 million annually in the United States alone.[12]
References
- ^ a b Mercia, Leonard (2001). Storey's Guide to Raising Poultry. 1. North Adams, MA: Storey Publishing. pp. 272–73.
- ^ PMID 22210215.
- ^ a b c U.S. Geological Survey [USGS]. (1999). Field Manual of Wildlife Diseases: General Field Procedures and Disease of Birds. Biological Resources Division Information and Technology Report 1999–2001.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l Thomas, NJ; Hunter, DB and Atkinson, CT (2007). Infectious Diseases of Wild Birds. Blackwell Publishing, Ames, Iowa, USA.
- ^ a b c Michigan Department of Natural Resources. (2013). Mycoplasmosis.
- ^ a b Cornell Lab of Ornithology. (2013). House Finch Disease.
- ^ a b c d "Mycoplasma gallisepticum Infection in Poultry" in The Merck Veterinary Manual for Veterinary Professionals (2013).
- ^ The Poultry Site. (2013). Mycoplasma gallisepticum infection, M.g., Chronic Respiratory Disease – Chickens.
- ^ Valks, M. and Burch, D. (2002). The Treatment and Control of Mycoplasma Infections in Turkey. Octagon Services Ltd., Old Windsor, Berks, United Kingdom.
- ^ The Center for Food Security & Public Health. (2013). Avian Mycoplasmosis (Mycoplasmagallisepticum).
- ^ a b TEKKALAN, Mümtaz Recep (May 2020). "Kümes Hayvanlarında Mycoplasma gallisepticum'un Tespiti için Lam Aglütinasyon, ELISA ve PCR Testlerinin Karşılaştırılması": 36–52.
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External links
- Media related to Mycoplasma gallisepticum at Wikimedia Commons
- Type strain of Mycoplasma gallisepticum at BacDive – the Bacterial Diversity Metadatabase
- Data related to Mycoplasma gallisepticum at Wikispecies