Epidemiological and molecular characterization of investigation of Mycoplasma gallisepticum of goose origin in Guangdong (China).

The Guangdong region is the largest goose farming area in China, which has experience significant economic losse due to the epidemic of Mycoplasma gallisepticum (MG) infection in geese. This study addresses the critical gap in epidemiological data on the prevalence of MG infection in geese, which seriously hinders the diagnosis and treatment. We collected respiratory system samples from geese displaying respiratory symptoms, isolated and identified Mycoplasma species, and confirmed MG presence through PCR. In addition, our research included a comparative genomes analysis of of MG strains from both geese and chickens, and we developed a mgc2 gene typing method. Out of 758 samples, 102 MG strains were isolated. Despite high genomic similarities between geese and chickens MG strains, significant differences were found in the 16S rRNA and mgc2 genes. The mgc2 gene typing results revealed that the clinical strain of MG in goose was of the H∼M type, distinct from the reference strain of MG in chickens (A∼G type). These differences indicate a significant evolutionary divergence between MG strains isolated from goose and those from chickens in Guangdong, with local strains primarily classified into the H, I, K, and L types. Thes findings contribute to understanding the evolution and prevalence of MG among poultry populations.