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Abstract
The avian mycoplasmas pathogenic for commercial poultry, Mycoplasma gallisepticum
and Mycoplasma synoviae in chickens and turkeys, and Mycoplasma meleagridis and Mycoplasma
iowae in turkeys are egg-transmitted infections and exhibit wide variations in clinical
manifestations. Mycoplasma gallisepticum strains vary widely in virulence, tissue
tropism, and antigenic makeup and have the ability to alter the expression of major
surface antigenic proteins. Although less well studied, strains of M. synoviae, M.
meleagridis, and M. iowae appear to exhibit similar variability. Intraspecies variability
among mycoplasma strains and their ability to interact with other disease-producing
factors explain the wide variability of clinical manifestations, difficulties in diagnosis,
their ability to persist within the host for long periods of time, and many of the
difficulties involved in control and eradication programs. Mycoplasmas are also well
known for their interactions with other infectious agents and environmental factors
in producing clinical disease. Control of the clinical manifestations of Mycoplasma
infections is simplified when concurrent infections are minimized and optimum environmental
conditions are provided.