Occurrence: Worldwide.   Species affected: All.   Age affected: All.

Causes: Small procaryotic microorganisms- Mycoplasma gallisepticum; M. meleagridis. Spread vertically through hatching egg contact or contact with infected birds by aerosol.

Effects: Signs include nasal discharge, emaciation, increased condemnation, sneezing and coughing, swollen infraorbital sinus (above the eye), feed refusal, foaming of the eye and/or air sacculitis.

All species of bird or all ages are susceptible to this chronic disease. The agents involved in the aetiology of this disease are Mycoplama gallisepticum (MG) and M. meleagridis (MM) in turkeys. (MM is found only in turkeys).

Spread through egg or contact with infected birds by aerosol (also through indirect contact via people and other fomites).

Signs include nasal discharge, emaciation, increased condemnation, sneezing and coughing, swollen infraorbital sinus (above the eye), feed refusal, foaming of eye, and/or air sacculitis.

Caseous sinus and air sacculitis can be seen.

Diagnosis:

Serologial tests include plate agglutination, HI or ELISA test.

Isolate organism from the sinus and identify with antigen capture ELISA test and monoclonal antibody; fluorescent antibody or recombinant probe and nucleic acid hybridisation assay.

It simulates many diseases including coryza, NDV, E. coli and IBV.

Depopulate infected stock, hatch clean stock only, vaccination of pullets for MG with live or killed vaccine to prevent the disease.

Drugs, which can be used, include tylosin, LS 50® at (2 g/gal), quinolones and spiramycin*.

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