Detection of Mycoplasma gallisepticum and Mycoplasma synoviae among Commercial Poultry in Khouzestan Province, Iran.

Mycoplasmas are important avian pathogens, which can cause both respiratory disease and synovitis in poultry that result in considerable economic losses to the poultry industry all over the world. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of Mycoplasma gallisepticum and Mycoplasma synoviae infections among commercial poultry flocks in Khouzestan province, Iran, using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technique. Totally, 290 tracheal swab samples were collected from 19 broiler flocks and 4 layer-breeder flocks, with or without respiratory signs, in different areas of Khouzestan province within six months. The PCR tests were applied for the specific amplification of 16S rRNA (185 bp) and vlhA (392 bp) genes. Out of 100 swab samples obtained from the layer-breeder flocks, 1 and 72 specimens were positive for M. gallisepticum and M. synoviae, respectively. In this regard, out of the 4 layer-breeder flocks, 1 (25%) and 4 (100%) flocks were positive for M. gallisepticum and M. synoviae, respectively. However, none of the studied broiler flocks were M. gallisepticum- or M. synoviae-positive. According to the results, the PCR technique could be concluded as a rapid method for the accurate identification of M. gallisepticum and M. synoviae infections in commercial poultry flocks. The results were indicative of the low prevalence of M. gallisepticum in the studied flocks in Khouzestan province. On the other hand, M. synoviae was widely distributed among layer-breeder flocks in this province.