Occurrence of mycoplasmas in geese affected with inflammation of the cloaca and phallus

Abstract

SUMMARYThe spread of inflammation of the cloaca and phallus in goose flocks was investigated. In the flocks surveyed, 57.5 to 71.8% of the initial gander stock and 39.8 to 100% of the replacement ganders were affected. Based on the results of several hundred attempts at mycoplasma isolation, a relationship was found between mycoplasma infection and the occurrence of inflammation of the cloaca and phallus in the flocks. Mycoplasmas were frequently isolated from the mucous membrane of the phallus, the pallic lymph, and the inner organs of ganders in the affected flocks, but not from birds in unaffected flocks. Two biochemically (glucose-splitting and arginine-hydrolysing) and three serologically distinct types of mycoplasmas have been isolated. One of them proved to be identical to strain 46, identified by J.M. Bradbury as M. cloacale, and two strains may represent new Mycoplasma species since they differ serologically from all previously known Mycoplasma spp. In the diseased flocks, the strain designated 1220 (8390) and the antibodies produced against it were of most frequent occurrence. At the peak of egg production, mycoplasmas were isolated from 92.1% of the phallic lymph samples, and 94.6% of the test sera were positive for antibodies to strain 1220 (8390).

Bacteria in the Reproductive Tracts of Red-Winged Blackbirds

“…This is despite the fact that such microbes may be especially important for birds because the digestive and reproductive tracts are joined by the cloaca, so microbes from one organ system could be introduced into the other via copulation (Sheldon 1993, Lombardo 1998. Evidence from domestic bird species indicates that sexual transmission of microbes is possible (Mohammed and Bohl 1967, Perek et al 1969, Stipkovits et al 1986, Reiber and Conner 1995, Calnek et al 1997. Such studies are difficult in free-living birds, but a few provide indirect evidence that sexually transmitted microorganisms may be important.…”

Antibiotic susceptibility profiles of Mycoplasma sp. 1220 strains isolated from geese in Hungary

“…1220 was first described as a new Mycoplasma species by Stipkovits et al in 1986 [1]. This Mycoplasma species causes cloaca and phallus inflammation and testicular atrophy in the ganders [1, 2]. In the infected geese salpingitis and vaginitis are the main symptoms [1, 3].…”

“…This Mycoplasma species causes cloaca and phallus inflammation and testicular atrophy in the ganders [1, 2]. In the infected geese salpingitis and vaginitis are the main symptoms [1, 3]. The egg production activates the pathogen and the flared up mycoplasmosis could induce lethal pathological changes in the embryos [1, 4].…”

“…In the infected geese salpingitis and vaginitis are the main symptoms [1, 3]. The egg production activates the pathogen and the flared up mycoplasmosis could induce lethal pathological changes in the embryos [1, 4]. Airsacculitis and peritonitis are also common, and general symptoms such as changes in thirst, decreased food consumption, body weight losses, weakness, nasal discharge, impaired breathing, conjunctivitis, diarrhoea and nervous signs were also described in the affected waterfowl flocks [2, 5–8].…”

Mycoplasma anseris sp. nov. Found in Geese

“…The colony morphology of strain 1219T was examined by light microscopy, and the cell morphology was examined by light and electron microscopy (4, 18). Tests for absence of reversion were carried out in media without bacterial inhibitors.…”