A Survey of Pathogenic Avian Mycoplasma Involvement in Multicausal Respiratory Disease in Broiler Flocks

BACKGROUND: Mycoplasma gallisepticum (MG) and Mycoplasma synoviae (MS) are the most important and pathogenic mycoplasma in chicken production. The tendency of avian mycoplasma for interaction with other pathogens is well-known. Interaction within several disease-producing factors in respiratory tract exacerbate the disease and is known as multicausal respiratory disease. OBJECTIVES: In recent years, high prevalence of multicausal respiratory disease in broiler flocks cause economic loss in Iran. The aim of the current study was to find the role of avian mycoplasma in recent outbreaks of respiratory diseases in broiler flocks. METHODS: Four hundred fifty tracheal or choanal cleft swabs were collected from 30 broiler farms with sever respiratory disease. The samples subjected to polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using specific primers for MG and MS. RESULTS: One flock (3.3%) and three flocks (10%) of broiler were found to be positive for MG and MS, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The results show that mycoplasma (MG and MS) are not the major part of recent respiratory diseases and anti-mycoplasma drugs administration needs precise test to evaluated mycoplasma statues.