Eradication of Mycoplasma synoviae from a multi-age broiler breeder farm using antibiotics therapy

Area of Science:

• Veterinary Microbiology
• Poultry Health Management

Background:

• Mycoplasma synoviae (MS) is a significant respiratory pathogen impacting the poultry industry.
• Controlling MS in broiler breeder flocks is crucial for mitigating economic losses in broiler production.

Purpose of the Study:

• To report the successful eradication of Mycoplasma synoviae from a commercial multi-age broiler breeder farm.
• To evaluate the efficacy of a continuous antibiotic treatment regimen for MS elimination.

Main Methods:

• The study involved an MS outbreak on a Korean multi-age broiler breeder farm with a 3-6 month flock replacement cycle.
• Intensive antibiotic treatment (chlortetracycline, doxycycline, enrofloxacin) followed by continuous tilmicosin administration was implemented.
• Mycoplasma synoviae detection utilized Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) and Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA).

Main Results:

• Continuous tilmicosin administration significantly reduced MS shedding in infected flocks.
• Flock 3 was identified as the final MS-positive flock by PCR and ELISA.
• Subsequent flocks introduced to the farm tested negative for MS by both PCR and ELISA upon depletion.

Conclusions:

• Continuous antibiotic treatment, specifically with tilmicosin, can successfully eradicate Mycoplasma synoviae from multi-age broiler breeder farms.
• This represents the first documented instance of MS eradication using this continuous antibiotic approach in such a setting.