Microimmunofluorescence for the serological diagnosis of avian mycoplasma infections

A microimmunofluorescence test was used to detect antibodies to mycoplasmas in avian sera. When the specificity of the system was established, the test was applied to the detection of M. synoviae antibodies in experimentally and naturally infected chickens and turkeys. The test is considerably more sensitive than the rapid serum agglutination test, detects reactors earlier in the experimentally infected birds and produces titres that are markedly greater. In naturally infected birds the titres were also very much higher than rapid serum plate test titres.