title: Mycoplasmal conjunctivitis in a European starling.
abstract: Bilateral conjunctivitis and episcleritis were identified in an adult European starling (Sturnus vulgaris). A novel mycoplasma species, Mycoplasma sturni, was isolated in pure culture from the conjunctiva of both eyes. The clinical presentation was similar to that of conjunctivitis in house finches (Carpodacus mexicanus) caused by Mycoplasma gallisepticum. However, the histologic lesions were distinct, by the presence of ulceration and by the absence of epithelial hyperplasia and lymphoplasmacytic infiltration [corrected]. Mycoplasma sturni ferments glucose, does not hemadsorb or hemagglutinate chicken erythrocytes, and grows rapidly at 37 C in comparison to other Mycoplasma spp. The role of M. sturni in conjunctivitis in other passerine species is presently unknown.
authors.affiliation: Northeastern Research Center for Wildlife Diseases, University of Connecticut, Storrs 06269-3089, USA.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Frasca
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Hinckley
authors.forename: M H
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Forsyth
authors.forename: T S
authors.initials: TS
authors.lastname: Gorton
authors.forename: S J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Geary
authors.forename: H J
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Van Kruiningen
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001715:Bird Diseases / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000473:pathology; D001717:Birds; D003228:Conjunctiva / Q000382:microbiology / Q000473:pathology; D003234:Conjunctivitis, Bacterial / Q000382:microbiology / Q000473:pathology / Q000662:veterinary*; D008297:Male; D009174:Mycoplasma / Q000145:classification / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D009175:Mycoplasma Infections / Q000382:microbiology / Q000473:pathology / Q000662:veterinary*