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Comparative study of Mycoplasma pulmonis and Mycoplasma gallisepticum infections in turkey sinus
Abstract:
Infraorbital sinuses of young turkeys were injected with virulent strains of Mycoplasma pulmonis and Mycoplasma gallisepticum to compare the diseases caused by the 2 agents. Mycoplasma pulmonis did not cause visible swelling from large quantities of mucous exudate in the sinuses, such as occurs with M gallisepticum, and it could not be recovered by bacteriologic culture technique after 3 weeks. However, slight exudate did accompany the M pulmonis infection. Similarities between the disease caused by M pulmonis and that caused by M gallisepticum included lymphocytic infiltration in the submucosa, swollen epithelial cells, and loss of cilia from sinus epithelial cell surfaces. This strain of M pulmonis, which is pathogenic for rats, was only mildly pathogenic for turkeys and the infection did not persist for long.
Insights
Mycoplasma pulmonis caused mild, short-lived turkey sinus infections, unlike Mycoplasma gallisepticum. Both mycoplasma species induced similar microscopic sinus tissue damage.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Pathology
- Avian Mycoplasmosis
Background:
- Mycoplasma gallisepticum is a significant avian pathogen causing respiratory disease in turkeys.
- The pathogenicity of Mycoplasma pulmonis, typically a rat pathogen, in turkeys is not well-characterized.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the disease manifestations and pathological effects of Mycoplasma pulmonis and Mycoplasma gallisepticum in young turkeys.
- To evaluate the virulence and persistence of a rat-pathogenic strain of M. pulmonis in turkeys.
Main Methods:
- Young turkeys' infraorbital sinuses were inoculated with virulent strains of M. pulmonis and M. gallisepticum.
- Clinical signs, gross lesions, and bacteriologic recovery were assessed.
- Histopathological examination of sinus tissues was performed.
Main Results:
- M. pulmonis caused mild exudate and was not recovered after 3 weeks, unlike M. gallisepticum which caused significant swelling and exudate.
- Both M. pulmonis and M. gallisepticum infections resulted in lymphocytic infiltration, epithelial cell swelling, and cilia loss in sinus tissues.
- The M. pulmonis strain exhibited mild pathogenicity and transient infection in turkeys.
Conclusions:
- Mycoplasma pulmonis is only mildly pathogenic for turkeys, causing transient infections with limited gross pathology.
- Despite differences in gross lesions, M. pulmonis and M. gallisepticum induce similar microscopic inflammatory and degenerative changes in turkey infraorbital sinuses.