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Updated: Jul 28, 2026

An Optimized Hemagglutination Inhibition (HI) Assay to Quantify Influenza-specific Antibody Titers
Published on: December 1, 2017
Comparison of Mycoplasma synoviae hemagglutinating antigens by the hemagglutination-inhibition test
Abstract:
Mycoplasma synoviae (MS) strains were isolated from the trachea of hens from MS-positive broiler breeder flocks having progeny condemnations due to airsacculitis. Hemagglutinating (HA) antigens were made from several strains. The HA antigen made from the 95th medium passage of MS FMT strain was compared with that of the standard MS WVU 1853 strain by the hemagglutination-inhibition (HI) test. Sixty-six sera from 10 MS-positive flocks, 4 Mycoplasma gallisepticum (MG)-positive sera, and 7 normal sera were used in the HI test. The geometric mean (GM) HI titer with MS WVU 1853 antigen was 98.69 on 66 sera from 10 MS-positive flocks, whereas the GM HI titer with MS FMT antigen was 226.21.
Insights
A new Mycoplasma synoviae (MS) antigen, MS FMT, showed significantly higher antibody titers in broiler breeder sera compared to the standard MS WVU 1853 antigen. This finding could improve diagnostic accuracy for MS infections.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Microbiology
- Avian Pathology
- Immunology
Background:
- Mycoplasma synoviae (MS) causes significant economic losses in poultry, particularly broiler breeders, through airsacculitis and condemnations.
- Accurate serological diagnostics are crucial for controlling MS outbreaks in commercial poultry flocks.
- Existing diagnostic antigens may vary in their sensitivity and specificity for detecting MS infections.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate a newly developed hemagglutinating (HA) antigen derived from the MS FMT strain.
- To compare the diagnostic performance of the MS FMT HA antigen against the standard MS WVU 1853 strain using hemagglutination-inhibition (HI) tests.
Main Methods:
- Isolation of Mycoplasma synoviae strains from infected broiler breeder flocks.
- Preparation of HA antigens from MS FMT and MS WVU 1853 strains.
- Performance of HI tests using 66 sera from MS-positive flocks, 4 Mycoplasma gallisepticum (MG)-positive sera, and 7 normal sera.
Main Results:
- The MS FMT HA antigen demonstrated a higher geometric mean (GM) HI titer (226.21) compared to the MS WVU 1853 antigen (98.69) in MS-positive broiler breeder sera.
- The study utilized sera from MS-positive flocks, MG-positive sera, and normal sera to assess specificity and sensitivity.
Conclusions:
- The MS FMT HA antigen exhibits superior performance in detecting antibodies against Mycoplasma synoviae in broiler breeder flocks.
- This enhanced antigen holds potential for improving the sensitivity of serological diagnostic tests for Mycoplasma synoviae.
- Further validation is recommended for widespread application in poultry health monitoring programs.

