Vaccination to control an outbreak of Mycoplasma crocodyli infection

Details of a severe outbreak of M. crocodyli infection in farmed crocodiles are reported. The outbreak was suspected to have been precipitated by translocation-related stress on the animals brought from a farm with a known history of M. crocodyli infection. Resorting to the use of an autogenous vaccine proved more effective in alleviating the disease manifestations than antibiotic therapy. Prospects of vaccination in the face of an outbreak are discussed.