Mycoplasma pulmonis detection in rodents: lessons for diagnosis in other species

Evaluation is made of cultural and serological tests used in the diagnosis of mycoplasma infections in normal and barrier-maintained colonies of rats and mice. Special emphasis is put on the significance of positive ELISA tests for immunoglobulin M and G (IgM and IgG) and on the difficulty resulting from the presence of cross-reactive antigens in Mycoplasma pulmonis and M. arthritidis. Recommendations are made as to the diagnostic tests most adequate for monitoring laboratory animal colonies for mycoplasma infections.