SUMMARYTwelve monoclonal antibodies (Mabs) against Mycoplasma gallisepticum (Mg) strains F, R, S6(208) and PET2 were used for analysis of epitopes of 22 Mg strains. Six Mabs recognized surface epitopes in the majority of strains, but did not react with variant strains like K 503 and K 703. Two Mabs reacted with epitopes on about 56 kilodalton (kDa) proteins and showing consistent expression on Mg colonies. Three Mabs recognized three different variable surface epitopes associated with about 67 kDa proteins and one Mab variable epitope on about 33 and 80 kDa proteins. Two-dimensional immunoblotting showed considerable differences in the charge of proteins bearing variable surface epitopes in different Mg strains. Subcloning of four low passage Mg strains using Mabs for screening populations that derived from a single colony with defined surface epitopes showed that some colonies may switch surface epitopes associated with 67 and 80 kDa proteins. This switching was reversible and generated subpopulations of Mg expressing different combinations of surface epitopes. Phenotypic switching of epitopes probably occurs also in vivo and may be the mechanism enabling Mg to evade the host immune response.
SUMMARYMycoplasmas were isolated from chickens, chicken embryos, turkeys, ducks, geese, pigeons and Japanese quail and their embryos. Altogether 792 birds and embryos were examined and 411 of them (52%) were infected with mycoplasmas. Isolates were identified by indirect immunofluorescence using monospecific rabbit antisera against 16 reconised species of avian Mycoplasma (AM) and two species of Acholeplasma. In all 633 strains of Mycoplasma were detected and most of these belonged to recognised AM species. M. anatis was found only in ducks and geese; M. columbinasale, M. columbinum and M. columborale only in pigeons, while M. meleagridis and M. gallopavonis isolates were exclusive to the turkey. M. synoviae was the most frequently isolated species (172 isolates). The host range of M. gallisepticum was the same as M. synoviae but with slightly fewer isolations. M. gallinarum, M. gallinaceum, M. pullorum, M. glycophilum and M. lipofaciens were not uncommon but were mainly confined to the chicken. The exceptions were isolates of M. lipofaciens from a turkey and a duck and an isolate of M. gallinarum from a turkey. M. cloacale was isolated from a chicken, a turkey and a duck. Acholeplasmas and untyped strains were isolated from all the host species except Japanese quail. Isolations of M. synoviae from a pigeon and Japanese quail and M. cloacale from a chicken, are thought to be new findings.
SUMMARY Mycoplasma gallisepticum (MG), M. synoviae (MS), M. cloacale (MC) and M. anatis were isolated from ducks kept in a yard in close contact with chickens that were infected with MG, MS and some other avian Mycoplasma species. MG, MS and MC were isolated also from embryonated duck eggs and from infertile duck eggs laid during the first four weeks of egg production. Infected ducks did not show clinical signs of MG or MS infection in chicken. Detectable MG and MS agglutinating antibodies were not present in duck sera. However, they were found in two yolks of 10 tested from embryonated eggs. In the haemagglutination -inhibition (HI) tests yolks from embryonated eggs yielded significantly higher (P<0.01) titres of MS antibodies than duck sera. Geometric mean value of MS HI titres in tested duck sera was 20, while those of yolks from embryonated eggs was 333. It is probably the first report concerning isolation of MS from the naturally infected ducks and furthermore, concerning isolation of MG, MS and MC from naturally infected embryonated eggs.
SUMMARYChicken flocks hatched together but reared under different management systems were examined for mycoplasmas over a two-year period. On the farm A multiple-age flocks were reared in close contact. This farm had not been depopulated for over 15 years. On farms B, C and D single-age flocks were reared and the farms were depopulated every year. On farm A 218 birds from 20 flocks were tested: mycoplasmas were isolated from 202 (92.7%). On farms B, C and D 289 birds from seven flocks were tested: mycoplasmas were recovered from 55 (19.0%). On farm A the following mycoplasmas were identified: M. gallisepticum (46.9% of isolates), M. gallinarum (47.8%), M. pullorum (46.3%), M. gallinaceum (43.2%),M. iners (10.9%), M. iowae (8.3%),M. synoviae (51.7%), M. lipofaciens (23.8%) and M. glycophilum (16.7%). Furthermore, mycoplasma strains which do not belong to recognised species of avian mycoplasmas, Acholeplasma laidlawii and an unidentified Acholeplasma strain were also isolated. On farms B, C and D the isolates were identified as M. gallisepticum or M. synoviae. The only exception was one culture from which M. gallinarum was recovered. The differences between farm A and farms B, C and D regarding total mycoplasma isolation yields and incidence of their species are significant (/K0.01) and are attributed to the different management systems.
Mycoplasma gallisepticum (MG) and M. synoviae (MS) were isolated from geese kept for more than a year on a multiple-age chicken farm. Agglutinating antibodies against MG and MS were found in the sera of some geese which were positive also in the haemagglutination-inhibition tests. The isolation of MG and MS from several organs of goose embryos indicates that egg transmission occurs. It is probably the first report concerning isolation of MS from the naturally infected geese and furthermore concerning isolation of MG and MS from naturally infected goose embryos.
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