Mycoplasma species isolated from six avian species.

Mycoplasmas were isolated from chickens, chicken embryos, turkeys, ducks, geese, pigeons and Japanese quail and their embryos. Altogether 792 birds and embryos were examined and 411 of them (52%) were infected with mycoplasmas. Isolates were identified by indirect immunofluorescence using monospecific rabbit antisera against 16 recognised species of avian Mycoplasma (AM) and two species of Acholeplasma. In all 633 strains of Mycoplasma were detected and most of these belonged to recognised AM species. M. anatis was found only in ducks and geese; M. columbinasale, M. columbinum and M. columborale only in pigeons, while M. meleagridis and M. gallopavonis isolates were exclusive to the turkey. M. synoviae was the most frequently isolated species (172 isolates). The host range of M. gallisepticum was the same as M. synoviae but with slightly fewer isolations. M. gallinarum, M. gallinaceum, M. pullorum, M. glycophilum and M. lipofaciens were not uncommon but were mainly confined to the chicken. The exceptions were isolates of M. lipofaciens from a turkey and a duck and an isolate of M. gallinarum from a turkey. M. cloacale was isolated from a chicken, a turkey and a duck. Acholeplasmas and untyped strains were isolated from all the host species except Japanese quail. Isolations of M. synoviae from a pigeon and Japanese quail and M. cloacale from a chicken, are thought to be new findings.