Evidence of Mycoplasma spp. transmission by migratory wild geese

Abstract

Mycoplasma infections have been found in different species of waterfowl worldwide. However, the question of how the pathogens have been transmitted and dispersed is still poorly understood. Samples collected from clinically healthy greater white-fronted geese ( Anser albifrons ) (N = 12), graylag geese ( Anser anser ) (N = 6), taiga bean geese ( Anser fabalis ) (N = 10), and barnacle geese ( Branta leucopsis ) (N = 1) were tested for Mycoplasma spp. All Mycoplasma -positive samples were specified by species-specific PCR for Mycoplasma anserisalpingitidis (formerly known as Mycoplasma sp. 1220), M. anseris, M. anatis , and M. cloacale . The presence of Mycoplasma spp. was confirmed in 22 of 29 sampled birds (75.9%). Mycoplasma anserisalpingitidis was the most frequently detected species (15 of 22, 68.2%). However, we did not detect any of the other Mycoplasma spp. typical for geese, among which are M. anatis, M. anseris , and M. cloacale . Phylogenetic analysis revealed that Polish sequences of M. anserisalpingitidis formed a distinct branch, along with 2 Hungarian isolates obtained from domestic geese. Eight of the samples identified as Mycoplasma spp.-positive were negative for the aforementioned Mycoplasma species. A phylogenetic tree constructed based on partial 16S rRNA gene analysis showed that Mycoplasma spp. sequences collected from Polish wild geese represent a distinct phylogenetic group with Mycoplasma sp. strain 2445 isolated from a domestic goose from Austria. The results of our study showed that wild geese could be a reservoir and vector of different species of the Mycoplasma genus that can cause significant economic losses in the domestic goose industry.

Mycoplasmas as Host Pantropic and Specific Pathogens: Clinical Implications, Gene Transfer, Virulence Factors, and Future Perspectives

“…Also, the gradual degradation and critical functional loss of the CRISPR system in house finches MG after the host switch appears to have a great impact on the pathogen evolution (Delaney et al, 2012). More recently, Mycoplasma infections have been found in migratory wild geese, while, the question concerning the pathogens' transmission and dispersion is still poorly understood (Sawicka-Durkalec et al, 2022)…”

Rapid and sensitive detection of waterfowl mycoplasmas using TaqMan assays

“…The new diagnostic TaqMan assays enable species identification with high sensitivity and specificity while notably reducing the time required for diagnosis compared to the methods that have been available so far for M. anatis, M. anseris and M. cloacale [1,5,8,11]. These assays are expected to be suitable for infection diagnostics and monitoring in both farm animals and wild populations of waterfowl [1][2][3][4][5]. With these sensitive assays, even symptomless carriage of pathogens may be identified, enabling future studies to reveal the prevalence of these bacteria which could contribute to our understanding on their global epidemiology.…”

“…Mycoplasma anatis, M. anseris, M. cloacale and M. anserisalpingitidis are four important waterfowl-specific pathogens. While M. anatis predominantly infects ducks, the other three species mainly affect geese, and most of these mycoplasma species have also been reported in wild birds [1][2][3][4][5]. These four bacterial species can cause genital and cloacal inflammations, pathological lesions, respiratory and neurological symptoms and reduced egg production as well as increased embryo mortality in waterfowl, resulting in huge economic losses [6,7].…”

“…2 Abbreviations: cloaca swab (cloaca s.), phallus lymph (phallus l.)3 The abbreviation Cq stands for quantification cycle. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0288066.t002…”

Continuous surveillance of pathogens detects excretion of avian orthoreovirus and parvovirus by several wild waterfowl: possible wild bird reservoirs

“…Consequently, wild birds are of paramount importance in the propagation of the pathogens. Specifically, migratory wild birds frequently traverse national and even intercontinental boundaries during migration or flight, serving as vectors for long-distance transmission of pathogenic viruses, bacteria, and parasites ( Envelope et al, 2021 ; Zhang et al, 2022 ). Furthermore, these pathogens undergo genetic evolution and reassortment mutations, leading to the emergence of mutated strains with altered pathogenicity and antigenicity.…”