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Published on: February 24, 2023
Aerosolization of Mycoplasma synoviae compared with Mycoplasma gallisepticum and Enterococcus faecalis
W J M Landman1, E A Corbanie, A Feberwee
1Animal Health Service Poultry Health Centre 7400 AA P.O. Box 9 Deventer, the Netherlands. w.landman@gdvdieren.nl
Abstract:
In order to study the airborne transmission of an arthropathic strain of Mycoplasma synoviae, preliminary aerosol experiments were performed. They were conducted in duplicate in an empty isolator (1.3 m3) to assess the yield and viability of M. synoviae with time compared with Mycoplasma gallisepticum and Enterococcus faecalis. After aerosol generation air samples were taken with two different devices using gelatine or cellulose nitrate filters. There was no difference between the devices, but cellulose nitrate filters yielded very low bacterial counts. The aerosolized dose per isolator for M. synoviae was 3.4 x 10(10) colony-forming units (cfu), for M. gallisepticum was 2.6 x 10(10) cfu and for E. faecalis was 3 x 10(10) cfu. Immediately after aerosolization, concentrations of about 10(6) to 10(7) cfu/m3, 10(7) to 10(8) cfu/m3 and 10(8) to 10(9) cfu/m3 air of M. synoviae, M. gallisepticum and E. faecalis were found, respectively. At 25 min M. synoviae concentrations dropped below the detection level (<4 x 10(4) cfu), while 10(5) to 10(6) and 10(8) to 10(9) cfu were found for M. gallisepticum and E. faecalis, respectively. The average M. synoviae concentration during the experiment was estimated at 10(2) to 10(3) cfu/l. The M. gallisepticum and E. faecalis aerosol generated an average of approximately 10(3) to 10(4) cfu/l air and 10(5) to 10(6) cfu/l air, respectively. Thus mycoplasma and E. faecalis aerosols were successfully generated despite considerable initial loss as measured by culture. The loss was greater in the mycoplasma aerosols, especially those of M. synoviae.
Insights
Airborne transmission studies show Mycoplasma synoviae aerosols decrease rapidly. Mycoplasma synoviae and Mycoplasma gallisepticum aerosols showed greater initial loss than Enterococcus faecalis aerosols.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Microbiology
- Aerosol Science
- Infectious Disease Transmission
Background:
- Understanding airborne transmission is crucial for controlling poultry diseases.
- Mycoplasma synoviae causes significant economic losses in the poultry industry.
- Previous studies have focused less on the airborne viability of M. synoviae compared to other pathogens.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the airborne survival and concentration of Mycoplasma synoviae over time.
- To compare the aerosol yield and viability of M. synoviae with Mycoplasma gallisepticum and Enterococcus faecalis.
- To evaluate different air sampling filters for capturing airborne bacteria.
Main Methods:
- Duplicate aerosol experiments were conducted in a 1.3 m3 isolator.
- Standardized doses of M. synoviae, M. gallisepticum, and E. faecalis were aerosolized.
- Air samples were collected using gelatin and cellulose nitrate filters at various time points.
- Bacterial concentrations were determined by colony-forming unit (cfu) counts.
Main Results:
- Cellulose nitrate filters yielded significantly lower bacterial counts than gelatin filters.
- Initial airborne concentrations ranged from 10^6-10^7 cfu/m3 for M. synoviae, 10^7-10^8 cfu/m3 for M. gallisepticum, and 10^8-10^9 cfu/m3 for E. faecalis.
- M. synoviae concentrations dropped below detection levels (<4 x 10^4 cfu) within 25 minutes.
- Mycoplasma aerosols exhibited greater initial loss compared to E. faecalis aerosols, with M. synoviae showing the most rapid decline.
Conclusions:
- Successful generation of M. synoviae, M. gallisepticum, and E. faecalis aerosols was achieved, despite initial losses.
- Airborne M. synoviae has a limited viability, suggesting airborne transmission may be short-range or require high initial concentrations.
- Gelatin filters are more suitable than cellulose nitrate filters for quantifying airborne Mycoplasma and E. faecalis in this experimental setup.
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