Haemadsorption inhibition test for the identification of Mycoplasma gallisepticum and Mycoplasma synoviae.

Colonies of the avian mycoplasma strains Mycoplasma gallisepticum S6 and Mycoplasma synoviae WVU 1853 and two Mycoplasma synoviae isolates from this laboratory were shown to be haemadsorption positive for chicken erythrocytes. Three Mycoplasma synoviae isolates from this laboratory proved to be haemadsorption and haemagglutination negative. The haemadsorption of the mycoplasma colonies mentioned above was inhibited with specific antisera of either high or low titre. No cross-inhibition was observed. It is suggested that this test could be used for a quick tentative identification of the two avian mycoplasmas on primary solid-medium cultures.