Seroprevalence and Associated Risk Factors of Mycoplasma gallisepticum Infection in Poultry Farms of Hawasa and Bishoftu, Central Ethiopia

Abstract

Background Mycoplasma gallisepticum (MG) infection is an economically important respiratory disease in the poultry production system worldwide. It is characterized by rapid transmission and causing many obstacles to poultry industries in different parts of Ethiopia. Methods A cross-sectional study was employed from January to September 2021 to estimate the seroprevalence and associated risk factors of MG in domestic layer chickens in large and small commercial poultry farms in Hawassa and Bishoftu area, Ethiopia. A total of 368 blood samples were collected. Data were analyzed using SPSS version-20, reported as percent prevalence, and Pearson's chi-square was used to assess the association between factors considered to have association with MG infection. The samples were processed by using an indirect ELISA (ProFLOKIBV, USA) test coated with antibody against MG. Results The total seroprevalence of MG infection was found to be 70.65%. Significant variation in environmental risk factors with seroprevalence was assessed and the higher prevalence of MG was significantly ( χ 2 = 14.42; p < 0.05) higher in layer chicken farms found in Bishoftu. Likewise, it was significantly observed in the adult chicken and commercial production system. There were significant difference between breeds and ages of birds with the occurrences of MG ( χ 2 = 19.60 and χ 2 = 17.46, respectively). Management related risk factors found around the types of farms were significantly different with the occurrences of MG (OR = 52.5; p < 0.05). Conclusion The evidence from seroprevalence of the MG infection in the current finding provides an indication of the eminence of infection in the study areas. Moreover, it provides an insight on the prevalence of MG infection and further molecular characterization of the organism needs to be conducted in the areas. Biosecurity measures combined with vaccination and sero-monitoring should also be implemented in the farms.

Seroprevalence of major respiratory diseases of chickens in central Ethiopia in different chicken production systems

“…It is also the first report of widespread exposure to aMPV in the field, following initial detection in imported breeds at a government facility ( Hutton et al, 2017 ). The seroprevalence of IBV (94%) in the current study is similar to 97% seroprevalence in central Ethiopia reported by ( Shiferaw et al, 2022a ) but, the individual chicken seroprevalence of Mg in the scavenging production system (48%) is lower than the 76% seroprevalence reported by ( Shiferaw et al, 2022b ). ILTV was reported for the first time in the West and North Shewa zones of Ethiopia.…”

“…The reported lower seroprevalence for ILTV in large intensive farms could be related to better biosecurity implementation in large-scale systems compared to the small-scale intensive production systems in the present study. The reported seroprevalence of Mg (46%) in intensive production system is lower than the report by ( Shiferaw et al, 2022b ) who reported 70.6% seroprevalence in Bishoftu and Hawassa towns of Ethiopia. Overall, chickens in the scavenging production system were seropositive for a greater number of respiratory pathogens than those in the intensive system.…”

Mycoplasma galliscepticum: An overview

“…It is used to identify and quantitatively analyze molecules in biological samples by determining their presence and concentration (Coons et al, 1941). Shiferaw J et al (2022) conducted a study using the indirect ELISA method to detect the seropositivity of MG in commercially raised laying hens on poultry farms in Ethiopia. The overall serum positivity rate for MG infection was found to be 70.65%.…”

Seroprevalence and pathology of Mycoplasma gallisepticum infection in layer birds

“…However, the poultry industry faces challenges, including the risk of infections that can result in substantial economic losses. Mycoplasma gallisepticum (MG), a chronic respiratory disease that affects poultry, particularly layer birds, is the cause of avian mycoplasmosis (Ayim-Akonor et al, 2018;Shiferaw et al, 2022). MG infection leads to decreased egg production, carcass condemnation, and low mortality rates among layer birds.…”