The immunosuppressive effect of Mycoplasma meleagridis on nonreplicating antigens

The humoral responses of Mycoplasma meleagridis-free and -infected turkeys were compared following primary and secondary antigenic stimulation with inactivated Salmonella pullorum or dinitrophenyl-bovine gamma globulin. The mycoplasma-infected groups had significantly lower antibody responses to both antigens. The suppression was more evident in the secondary response. The results suggest that the immune response in turkeys infected with M. meleagridis is similar to that of bursectomized chickens: the ability of chickens to synthesize immunoglobulin G is affected more readily than the ability to synthesize IgM.