Pathogenicity of two strains of Mycoplasma gallisepticum in turkeys.
Strains F and R of Mycoplasma gallisepticum (MG) were compared for their pathogenicity in broad-breasted white turkey poults in terms of induction of airsacculitis, depression of growth rate, and induction of antibody production against MG. Eye-drop inoculation with the F or R strain produced only minimal lesions. However, aerosol exposure with either MG strain resulted in a significantly higher incidence and severity of air-sac lesions (P less than 0.001), reduction of growth rate (P less than 0.005), and hemagglutination-inhibition (HI) antibody titers against MG than did eye-drop inoculation. There were no significant differences between the two MG strains in effects on incidence of air-sac lesions or on growth rate.
D000400:Air Sacs / Q000382:microbiology*; D000818:Animals; D002645:Chickens / Q000382:microbiology; D009174:Mycoplasma / Q000472:pathogenicity*; D009175:Mycoplasma Infections / Q000382:microbiology / Q000662:veterinary*; D011201:Poultry Diseases / Q000382:microbiology*; D012141:Respiratory Tract Infections / Q000382:microbiology / Q000662:veterinary; D014422:Turkeys / Q000382:microbiology*; D014774:Virulence