[Diagnostic experiences in the routine restrained inspection of turkey stock for mycoplasma infections]

A combined culturing medium has been developed and has proved to clearly increase rates of detection of avian mycoplasmas, as compared to mycoplasma culturing media previously used in the GDR. The medium can be used to culture all mycoplasma species relevant to turkey. Experimental studies have shown that pH values should be between 7.0 and 7.2 in liquid culturing media and should not exceed 7.2 in mycoplasma agar, in order to be capable of isolating, in cases of mixed infections, not only Mycoplasma (M.) meleagridis but also M. gallisepticum. Culturing media should be incubated at 38.5 degrees C. The living animal should best be diagnosed by examination of palatine and cloacal swabs, with sperm being additionally checked of insemination cocks. A monitoring programme has been drafted for mycoplasma-free broods of turkey parents.