Development of a seroprevalence map for Mycoplasma gallisepticum in broilers and its application to broilers from Comunidad Valenciana (Spain) over the course of two years (2009-2010)

Abstract

The aim of this study was to design and implement a Seroprevalence Map based on Business Intelligence for Mycoplasma gallisepticum (M. gallisepticum) in broilers in Comunidad Valenciana (Spain). To obtain the serological data we analysed 7363 samples from broiler farms over 30 days of age over the course of two years (3813 and 3550 samples in 2009 and 2010, respectively, from 189 and 193 broiler farms in 2009 and 2010, respectively). Data were represented on a map of Comunidad Valenciana to include geographical information of flock location and to facilitate the monitoring. Only one region presented with average ELISA titre values of over 500 in the 2009 period, indicating previous contact with M. gallisepticum in broiler flocks. None of the other regions showed any pressure of infection, indicating a low seroprevalence for M. gallisepticum. In addition, data from this study represent a novel tool for easy monitoring of the serological response that incorporates geographical information.

Keywords

• mycoplasma gallisepticum
• broiler
• seroprevalence map
• elisa, comunidad valenciana