Mycoplasma iowae: A review

Abstract

Mycoplasma iowae is an avian mycoplasma which has rather different properties from other avian mycoplasmas such as resistance to bile salts, predilection for the gastrointestinal tract and a relative resistance to many antimicrobials. There is also an unusually large degree of antigenic variation among strains belonging to this species. The Mycoplasma has been isolated from a number of avian hosts, but in natural infections the main manifestation is mortality of turkey embryos in the later stages of incubation. In experimental infections some strains cause chick and turkey embryo mortality and, depending on the route of infection and the age of bird, can give rise to joint and bone abnormalities and occasional air sacculitis. In turkeys it is well known that the organism is egg-transmitted and can also spread laterally. In the mature bird the oviduct, semen and cloaca are sources of infection. Less is known about the natural infection in chickens. The humoral response in turkeys and chickens is poor and diagnosis is currently by culture although several polymerase chain reaction (PCR) detection methods have been developed. Eradication from some turkey breeder flocks has been achieved by treating eggs with fluoroquinolones, monitoring the progeny for infection, and imposing stringent hygiene measures, especially at artificial insemination.