A picture of Mycoplasma gallisepticum and Mycoplasma synoviae in poultry in Egypt: Phenotypic and genotypic characterization

Abstract

Objectives: The study reveals a picture for M. gallisepticum (MG) and M. synoviae (MS) in poultry industry of Egypt. Methods: A total of 628 samples were collected from different species of diseased and apparently healthy poultry species from 15 Egyptian governorates. The isolates identified based on mgc2 and 16 s rRNA specific primers for MG and MS respectively. Sequencing for two isolates using mgc2 gene. Results: Two hundred and five samples were microscopic fried egg colony. Using digitonin test, 160 samples were identified as genus Mycoplasma. Out of the 160 isolates, 86 were identified by PCR as MG, while 39 were identified as MS. Sequencing reveals that one isolate MGC2-EGY1 was related to the Egyptian strain MG-EIS6-T-10, while, the other isolate MGC2-EGY2 was related to the Indian strain MG-MGS-9B. Conclusion: The study suggested that strictly applied programmes for the prevention and control of avian mycoplasmosis and confirmed the use of PCR on a large scale to help disease eradication programmes to limit economic losses in poultry farms. Keywords: Mycoplasma gallisepticum, Mycoplasma synoviae, PCR, Sequencing