PCR from Direct Clinical Specimens for Prevalence Study of Mycoplasma Gallisepticum and Mycoplasma Synoviae

Rajashree Gandgea

Published on: 2021-12-15

Abstract

Poultry mycoplasmosis caused by Mycoplasma gallisepticum (MG) and Mycoplasma synoviae (MS) infections cause significant economic losses in poultry production. The diagnosis of mycoplasma infections is usually based on serology using either rapid serum agglutination (RSA) or enzyme-immuno assays. The isolation and identi?cation of mycoplasma is laborious, time consuming and many times unsuccessful. PCR has been a promising alternative without the need for the cultivation of bacteria. We have evaluated PCR assay for a prevalence study of poultry mycoplasmosis in India. A total of 754 samples (tissue + choanal swabs) were collected from around 70 farms located in six different states of India.  The specimens were preferably taken from clinical cases and processed for detection of M. gallisepticum and M. synoviae in the clinical specimens by PCR using mycoplasma species-specific 16S rRNA gene primers (MG-14F, MG-13R, and  MS–F, MS–R). To confirm the specificity of the PCR method, the representative 50 PCR positive samples investigated by RSA and cultural isolation. Validated six PCR products by BLAST analysis of sequences and obtained NCBI nucleotide accession nos. MN069558, MN069591, MN069580 to MN069583. Although cultural isolation is gold standard for diagnosis of poultry mycoplasmosis, we found PCR as rapid, sensitive and specific screening method for mycoplasmosis. Therefore, we recommend PCR for epidemiological and prevalence studies of poultry mycoplasmosis. The prevalence and wide distribution of MG and MS infection in India warrants immediate attention for implementing prevention and control measures for poultry mycoplasmosis.