title: Treatment of eggshell abnormalities and reduced egg production caused by Mycoplasma synoviae infection.
abstract: Eggshell abnormalities were seen in the apex of eggs in two of three flocks of multi-age, Hy-Line layer chickens housed on a farm in Northern Italy. Approximately 1.3% to 1.8% of eggs in one flock were affected, amounting to 300-400 eggs per day; the abnormalities resulted in a great deal of breakage and spoilage of healthy eggs. The mean weight of eggs was also reduced. Egg abnormalities in a second flock were less severe. Mycoplasma synoviae was detected in birds from both of the affected flocks by serologic, cultural, and molecular techniques, but not in a third, adjacent flock where no eggshell abnormalities were seen. Treatment with tylosin, administered in the drinking water for 5 days, resulted in an immediate improvement of eggshell quality and egg weight. There was no evidence of infectious bronchitis virus in the flocks.
authors.affiliation: Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale delle Venezie, viale dell'Università, 10-35020 Legnaro (Padova), Italy. scatania@izsvenezie.it
authors.forename: Salvatore
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Catania
authors.forename: Dania
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Bilato
authors.forename: Federica
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Gobbo
authors.forename: Anna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Granato
authors.forename: Calogero
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Terregino
authors.forename: Luciano
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Iob
authors.forename: Robin A J
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Nicholas
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002645:Chickens; D004528:Egg Shell / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D009175:Mycoplasma Infections / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology / Q000662:veterinary*; D045805:Mycoplasma synoviae / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D010058:Oviposition; D015645:Tylosin / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D015645:Tylosin