Event Title First Global Alliance for Research on Avian Diseases (GARAD) Conference
Session Title Unknown
Event Date & Time On Wed, 01 Jul 2015 at 09:40:00 - 09:55:00
Venue Edmond J. Safra Lecture Theatre
Abstract Title Clinical and gross pathological findings could be useful data for improving Mycoplasma iowae suspect in meat turkey
Authors Salvatore Catania
Affiliations Avian Medicine Laboratory. Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale delle Venezie, Viale dell'Università 10, 35020 Legnaro (PD) Italy
Abstract Content

Mycoplasma iowae (MI) is considered an important pathogen for turkey sector. The most important sign for MI suspect was a decrease hatchability of embryonated eggs, even if under experimental infection some Authors reported poor growth and skeletal abnormalities. In the last years some Authors reported MI isolation in naturally infected meat turkeys in which reduced performance and legs or skeletal abnormalities were noted.

In order to identify the clinical sign or gross lesions related to MI infection, we decide to analyzed all the meat turkey groups routinely submitted to our laboratory (October 2011-September 2012).

Furthermore, in order to have comparable data, we added to our basic standard diagnostic protocol the culture isolation detection method (focused on the Mycoplasma iowae) in all the submitted clinical cases. Briefly, the laboratory protocol includes a standard procedure for the diagnosis of poultry disease (i.e. necropsy, bacteriology, parasitology, virology and histopathology analysis) or any other useful analysis to reach an accurate diagnosis.
A total number of 103 groups were analyzed. Sixty-six groups resulted positive for Mycoplasma iowae and leg abnormalities and parasitic infestation were common findings in infected birds. The statistical analysis demonstrated that the probability to find a MI-positive flock is four times higher in flocks where skeletal abnormalities were noticed (OR=4.5, IC 95%: 1.71 – 12.16).

In conclusion, basing on our observations, when skeletal abnormalities are noticed in a meat turkey flock it is strongly recommended to include specific tests for Mycoplasma iowae in the diagnostic pathway.