Control and diagnosis of mycoplasma in broiler chicken

 

 

Dr.Majed Hamid Al-Saegh / Australia

26/6/2024

 

Control strategies for combating and diagnosing mycoplasma in broiler chicken breeders include:

Biosecurity measures:

  1. Isolation: Maintaining a closed flock and minimizing the introduction of new birds.
  2. Sanitation: Regular cleaning and disinfection of housing, equipment and vehicles.
  3. Visitor Protocols: Limit access to the farm to essential personnel only and enforce strict biosecurity protocols for visitors.
  4. Rodent and pest control: Implement effective pest control measures to reduce the risk of disease transmission.

 

Vaccinations :

  1. Live and inactivated vaccines: Use of vaccines specifically designed for Mycoplasma gallisepticum (MG) and Mycoplasma synovium (MS). Vaccination schedules should be designed based on local epidemiology and herd health status.
  2. Timing: Ensure that vaccination is performed at the appropriate ages to maximize immunity before exposure.

 

Management practices:

  1. All-in-all system: This system is implemented to prevent the spread of infection among different groups of birds.
  2. Reducing stress: Reducing stress factors such as overcrowding, poor ventilation, and sudden changes in temperature or diet.

 

Use of antibiotics:

  1. Strategic management: Use antibiotics judiciously under veterinary supervision to manage mycoplasma infections. Regular monitoring of antibiotic resistance is essential.
  2. Withdrawal periods: Commitment to withdrawal periods to ensure that poultry products are free of antibiotic residues.

 

 

Monitoring and surveillance:

  1. Regular tests: Conduct regular serological and molecular tests to detect mycoplasma infection early.
  2. Record keeping: Maintain detailed records of herd health, vaccination and treatment history.

 

Diagnostic methods:

Serological tests:

  1. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA): used to detect antibodies against mycoplasma in poultry serum. It is sensitive and suitable for large-scale screening.
  2. Rapid serum agglutination (RSA): A rapid test to detect mycoplasma antibodies. It is useful for initial screening but is less specific than ELISA.

 

Molecular tests:

  1. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR): A sensitive and highly specific method for detecting mycoplasma DNA in clinical specimens (eg, tracheal swabs and air sac fluids). It can differentiate between MG and MS.
  2. Real-time PCR: Allows the amount of mycoplasma in samples to be measured, providing insight into the severity of infection.

 

Culture methods:

  1. Mycoplasma isolation: involves culturing samples on specific media. Although time consuming, it is definitive for identifying Mycoplasma species.
  2. Broth and agar media: Specialized media, such as Fry’s broth and agar, are used to culture mycoplasma organisms from clinical specimens.

 

Histopathology:

  1. Tissue examination: Microscopic examination of tissues (eg, trachea and air sacs) can reveal characteristic lesions associated with mycoplasma infection.

 

Immunofluorescence and immunohistochemistry:

  1. Antigen detection: These techniques use labeled antibodies to detect mycoplasma antigens in tissue samples. Provides specific localization of the pathogen within tissues.

Conclusion:

Effective control and diagnosis of mycoplasma infections in chicken and broiler breeders requires a combination of biosecurity measures, vaccination, strategic use of antibiotics, and regular monitoring. Early diagnosis through serological and molecular tests helps in timely intervention and management, thus reducing the impact

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