Isolation of Mycoplasma synoviae from infectious synovitis of chickens

This report describes the first isolations of Mycoplasma synoviae from the synovial sheaths and joints of commercial chickens affected with synovitis in Australia. Over 4 years 3 separate outbreaks were investigated in which up to 20% of birds exhibited clinical signs of poor growth and "hot foot" syndrome (swollen inflamed footpads). Once an outbreak occurred, chronic infection of the farm usually ensued. Grossly the hocks and footpads were swollen by a purulent exudate and associated inflammatory changes with histological features of a severe acute synovitis. Seroconversion of the flocks occurred at the time of the development of lesions. M. synoviae specific antibodies were demonstrated by ELISA in the joint fluid of affected birds. It is concluded that the cases described are similar to avian infectious synovitis syndrome caused by M. synoviae previously described overseas.     

The isolation of Mycoplasms synoviae from chickens with infectious synovitis and air-sacculitis in the Republic of South Africa.

Mycoplasma synoviae was isolated from the trachea of chickens showing either typical infectious synovitis lesions or air-sacculitis. M. synoviae was identified by means of the direct plate fluorescent antibody technique and its growth-dependence on nicotine-amide-adenine dinucleotide. This is the first documented report on the isolation and identification of M. synoviae in the Republic of South Africa.     

Effect of infectious bursal disease on the response of chickens to Mycoplasma synoviae, Newcastle disease virus, and infectious bronchitis virus.

At 35 days of age, chickens which as 1-day-old chicks were inoculated with the infectious bursal disease virus (IBDV) had significantly lower antibody titers against Mycoplasma synoviae, Newcastle disease virus, and infectious bronchitis virus than did those never inoculated with IBDV. The IBDV also had a marked effect on the development of air-sac lesions. Birds infected with IBDV that were later inoculated with M synoviae (day 14), Newcastle disease virus (days 14 and 28) experienced an increased incidence and greater seversity of airsacculitis than did chicks which were not exposed to IBDV.     

Effects of chemically or virus-induced immunodepression on response of chickens to avian leukosis virus

The effects of chemically or virus-induced immunodepression on the infection profile (development of viremia and antibody) and shedding of avian leukosis virus (ALV) were studied in progeny chickens of experimental or commercial breeder flocks. Chickens were infected with ALV subgroup A by contact at hatching and by oral inoculation at 4-5 weeks of age. In the first experiment, chickens were inoculated with a virulent strain of infectious bursal disease virus (IBDV) at 1 day or 6 weeks of age. In the second experiment, chickens were neonatally treated with cyclophosphamide (CY), or were inoculated with strain T of reticuloendotheliosis virus (REV) at hatching, or were inoculated with strain JM of Marek's disease virus (MDV) at 2 weeks of age. The infection profile and cloacal shedding of ALV in chickens exposed to ALV and inoculated with immunodepressive viruses or CY were compared with those in hatchmates exposed only to ALV. In two of four chicken lines tested in the first experiment, shedding of ALV, as determined by virological assays of cloacal swabs at 22 weeks of age, was significantly higher in chickens infected with IBDV at 1 day of age than in uninfected hatchmates. The rate of shedding of ALV in one of these two lines was also significantly higher in chickens infected with IBDV at 6 weeks of age than in uninfected chickens. Further, the frequency of ALV-antibody detection at 22 weeks of age was significantly lower in chickens of these two lines infected with IBDV at 1 day of age than in uninfected chickens. In the second experiment, neonatal treatment with CY significantly increased the frequency of viremic chickens of both experimental and commercial flocks. The frequency of ALV-viremic chickens at 22 weeks of age was considerably higher in the REV- and MDV-inoculated groups (54% and 44%, respectively) than in control hatchmates (29%), but only in chickens of the commercial line. These findings suggest that chemically or virus-induced immunodepression may lead to an increase in rates of viremia and shedding of ALV in chickens infected with virus after hatching, especially in certain genetic lines.     

Prevalence of antibodies to Mycoplasma synoviae in laying hens and possible effects on egg shell quality

Mycoplasma synoviae (M. synoviae) can cause respiratory disease, synovitis, or result in a silent infection in chickens and turkeys. The importance of M. synoviae is well established in broilers but only a few studies have been conducted in layers. In the present study, the prevalence of M. synoviae in commercial layer flocks was estimated using ELISA. For this study, 19 commercial layer flocks were selected randomly from New South Wales and Queensland region of Australia from producers who were willing to participate in the survey. Sixty eggs per flocks were randomly collected, out of these 30 eggs were used for ELISA and remaining 30 eggs were used to estimate various egg shell quality parameters. Subsequently, association between the serological status of eggs for M. synoviae and egg shell quality was studied. In the flocks under study, seroprevalence of M. synoviae was found to be high at 69% (95% confidence interval (CI)=41.3-89.0). Statistical analysis showed an association between serological status for M. synoviae and egg quality parameters such as translucency, shell breaking strength, % shell reflectivity and shell deformation. On the other hand, there was no significant association between serological status for M. synoviae and other egg quality parameters such egg weight, egg shell weight, % egg shell or shell thickness.     

鸡滑液囊支原体不同地区分离株对常用抗菌药物的敏感性试验

为调查不同地区鸡滑液囊支原体的耐药情况,从河南、江苏、安徽、河北和广东五省204份疑似鸡滑液囊支原体感染鸡的病料中分离到20株鸡滑液囊支原体,每省随机取1株进行了12种常用抗菌药物的敏感性测定。结果表明,5株鸡滑液囊支原体均对泰乐菌素较为敏感,而对恩诺沙星、氧氟沙星、盐酸环丙沙星具有不同程度的耐受性。本实验可为临床合理用药提供参考。     

The humoral immune response of chickens to Mycoplasma gallisepticum and Mycoplasma synoviae studied by immunoblotting

The humoral immune response over time of White Leghorn chickens experimentally infected with Mycoplasma gallisepticum or M. synoviae by an aerosol inoculation or a contact exposure were compared by immunoblotting. The response of chickens infected with M. gallisepticum were similar with respect to proteins recognized and intensity of response, regardless of mode of infection. On the other hand, chickens infected by aerosolization of M. synoviae responded to more proteins and with greater intensity than did M. synoviae contact-exposed birds. Chickens infected with M. gallisepticum responded with antibodies to over 20 proteins, while chickens infected with M. synoviae responded with antibodies to 12 proteins. Field sera from chickens naturally infected on commercial poultry farms with M. gallisepticum or M. synoviae were analyzed by immunoblotting and were found to react with a number of mycoplasma proteins. However, no correlation was seen when comparing intensity of immunoblot staining and hemagglutination-inhibition titer of the field sera. The experimental antisera were used to identify species-specific proteins of M. gallisepticum and M. synoviae. Six immunogenic species-specific proteins of M. gallisepticum with relative molecular masses of 82 (p82), 65-63 (p64), 56 (p56), 35 (p35), 26 (p26), and 24 (p24) kilodaltons (kDa) were identified. Two species-specific proteins of M. synoviae with relative molecular masses of 53 (p53) and 22 (p22) kDa were identified. Additionally, a highly immunogenic 41 (p41) kDa protein of M. synoviae was identified. Species-specific proteins identified in these mycoplasmas and the 41 kDa protein of M. synoviae were purified by preparative SDS-PAGE in amounts sufficient for further characterization and for use in serodiagnostic tests.     

Cell-mediated and humoral immune response of chickens to Mycoplasma synoviae.

The leukocyte migration-inhibition test was employed to demonstrate the presence of cell-mediated immunity and to ascertain its relation to immunoglobulin production in Mycoplasma synoviae infection in chickens. With peripheral leukocytes and a preparation of M. synoviae used as antigen, good discrimination was obtained between naturally or experimentally infected birds and uninfected control birds. Only the infected groups showed significant inhibition. Positive migration inhibition values developed in the second week of infection, often before the appearance of hemagglutination-inhibition titers, and continued to accompany the production of immunoglobulins with some degree of correlation for at least 6 or 12 months.     

Synovial Fluid and Clinical Changes After Arthroscopic Partial Synovectomy of the Equine Middle Carpal Joint

Changes in synovial fluid and clinical variables after arthroscopic partial synovectomy of the middle carpal joint were studied in 12 normal horses. A 7 mm motorized synovial resector was inserted into each middle carpal joint; one middle carpal joint of each horse was randomly selected to have arthroscopic synovectomy (treated) and the opposite joint was lavaged (control). Lameness examinations and synovial fluid analyses were performed before operation and at 8, 14, 21, and 28 days after operation. Lameness variables did not differ between treated and control legs. Middle carpal and carpometacarpal joint circumference measurements were increased for 4 weeks. Synovial fluid specific gravity, pH, total protein, albumin concentration, and alpha-1-, beta- and gamma-globulin concentrations, at 8 and 14 days were significantly higher than before operation in both treated and control middle carpal joints. No significant differences were found between treated and control middle carpal joints at any time for color, clarity, pH, mucin clot formation, total protein, albumin, and globulin fractions. Arthroscopic partial synovectomy and lavage did not cause significant lameness and resulted in a synovitis indistinguishable from synovitis related to arthroscopic lavage alone.     

Elimination of mycoplasmal plate agglutination cross-reactions in sera from chickens inoculated with infectious bursal disease viruses

Sera from chickens inoculated with various challenge infectious bursal disease viruses or infectious bursal disease vaccines were found to cross-react in the Mycoplasma gallisepticum (MG) and Mycoplasma synoviae (MS) serum plate agglutination (SPA) tests. Two-fold dilutions of these cross-reacting sera with phosphate-buffered saline before retesting eliminated all non-specific agglutination in the MG and MS SPA tests. Cross-reactions were observed in the SPA test using sera from chickens inoculated with either MG or MS. Dilutions of these sera 1:2 had little effect on the number of these cross-reactions. At 1:4 serum dilutions, however, the number of cross-reactions between MG and MS was reduced. At 1:8 dilution of test sera, cross-reactions between MG and MS were further reduced. Some reduction in specific MG and MS SPA reactions, however, also occurred at the 1:8 dilution of sera with some of the plate antigen.     

鸡滑液囊支原体的分离鉴定及病理组织学观察

为了解宁夏及其周边不同地区蛋鸡场中的鸡滑液囊支原体的种类及其致病力,采用改良Frey氏鸡滑液囊支原体培养基,从疑似感染鸡滑液囊支原体的不同蛋鸡群中分离出病原株,设计鸡滑液囊支原体vlhA基因特异性引物,对分离到的病原进行基因序列扩增并测序,使用MEGA6.0软件中的邻接法(Neighbor-joining,NJ)构建分离株系统发育树并进行遗传进化分析,采用从临床症状最明显的鸡体分离的菌株进行动物感染试验,制作石蜡切片,HE染色,病理组织学观察。结果表明,所分离到的病原菌均为鸡滑液囊支原体,部分菌株之间极其相似;鸡滑液囊支原体不仅可以使鸡只关节肿胀、生长缓慢,也可引起鸡只的肝脏轻微肿大,肝细胞部分坏死、间质增生;脾脏结缔组织增生,出血。     

自由基清除剂对传染性法氏囊病发病过程的影响

本试验用自由基清除剂超氧化物歧化酶和还原型谷胱甘肽分别处理实验性传染法氏囊病患鸡，以探讨自由基清除剂对ＩＢＤ发病过程的影响。结果表明ＳＯＤ和还原型谷胱甘肽自理过的ＩＢＤ患鸡，其临床症状，病理变化和凝血功能障碍均比攻毒对照组明显减轻。     

The pathogenicity of an avian influenza virus isolated in Victoria

An influenza virus (H7N7) isolated from an outbreak of disease in chickens in Victoria, was examined for its ability to cause disease in inoculated chickens, turkeys and ducks. The virus was highly pathogenic in chickens and turkeys but produced no clinical disease in ducks. Transmission of infection occurred from inoculated chickens to those in direct contact but other chickens separated by a distance of 3m directly downwind developed neither clinical disease nor antibody to the virus.     

Persistent infection with chicken anaemia virus and some effects of highly virulent infectious bursal disease virus infection on its persistency

Chicken anaemia virus (CAV) infectivity and the effect of highly virulent infectious bursal disease virus (hv IBDV) infection on CAV's infectivity were examined in chickens inoculated with CAV or inoculated dually with CAV and hv IBDV. Five chickens inoculated dually with hv IBDV at 35 days old and then with CAV at 40 days old exhibited no clinical signs of disease, but showed atrophic bursae of Fabricius when necropsied 4 weeks later. Upon examining the chickens at 7 days postinoculation (dpi) with CAV, it was found that hv IBDV infection had inhibited production of virus neutralising (VN) antibody to CAV, and that it was possible to recover CAV from plasma of these chickens. Although VN antibody to CAV appeared after 14 dpi, CAV was recovered from blood cells (BC s) at high titres ranging from 10(2.5)to 10(5.5)TCID(50)/0.1 ml, 7 to 28 dpi in IBDV -induced immunosuppressed chickens. In addition, CAV was sporadically recovered, using rectal swabs, from the dually inoculated chickens at low titers, ranging from 10(1.0)to 10(2. 0)TCID(50)/0.1 ml). In contrast, although CAV was recovered from BC s in most of the chickens inoculated with CAV alone, the titers were lower (10(1.0)to 10(2.5)TCID(50)/0.1 ml). No CAV was detected from the rectal swabs of these chickens. The results of virus recovery were confirmed by polymerase chain reaction. This study first examined the persistency of CAV in BC s and the effective enhancement of primary CAV infection as a result of immunosuppression caused by hv IBDV infection.     

Effects of corticosteroids on lymphocyte subpopulations and lymphokine secretion in chickens.

Various effects of glucocorticosteroids on the avian immune system were examined in chickens treated intramuscularly with 0.1 to 2.5 mg dexamethasone or prednisolone. Kinetic changes in body weight gain, percentages of lymphocyte subpopulations, and T-cell functions were examined following treatment with dexamethasone or prednisolone every other day. Chickens treated with dexamethasone or prednisolone showed a decrease in body-weight gain compared with age-matched, untreated chickens. In general, the total number of splenic lymphocytes of chickens treated with the two drugs was significantly lower than in controls in a dose-dependent manner. Flow cytometric analysis of splenic lymphocyte subpopulations revealed that the percentages of lymphocytes expressing CD8, gamma delta T-cell receptor, Ia, or IgM antigens and natural killer cells were lower in dexamethasone-treated chickens than in the controls, whereas the percentages of T lymphocytes bearing CD3, CD4, or alpha beta TCR antigens were higher. Furthermore, splenic T cells obtained from dexamethasone-treated chickens showed a significant depression in concanavalin A-induced lymphoproliferation and interleukin 2 and gamma-interferon production. The results characterize a variety of immunosuppressive effects of glucocorticoids on the avian immune system.     

Influence of infectious bronchitis strains and vaccines on the incidence of Mycoplasma synoviae airsacculitis

A model system was used to study infectious bronchitis virus (IBV) and Mycoplasma synoviae (MS) interaction. The system involved exposure of chickens to IBV, followed by exposure to MS 2-5 days later. The chickens were subjected to a cold environment (10 +/- 2 C) for 3 weeks starting one day before MS exposure. Under these conditions, differences in the capacity of various strains of IBV to exacerbate MS airsacculitis was demonstrated. Exposure to IBV field isolates generally resulted in more air-sac lesions than did higher-egg-passaged laboratory strains and vaccine strains. Use of lower-egg-passaged vaccines resulted in a higher incidence of airsacculitis than did higher-egg-passaged vaccines. When chickens were IBV-vaccinated before being used in the model system, the incidence of airsacculitis was lowered, even though the chickens became infected by the challenge virus. Vaccination of MS-free chickens with IBV had no effect on airsacculitis incidence when MS exposure occurred after the vaccine reaction was past.     

Attempts to reactivate bovid herpesvirus-2 in experimentally infected calves

A study was carried out to determine whether bovid herpesvirus-2 (BHV-2) is able to induce a recurrent infection in experimentally infected calves. Twelve calves infected with the virus were treated with dexamethasone (DMS) beginning 69 days after the infection, ie, several weeks after the animals had recovered from the disease and were negative for BHV-2. The stress induced by DMS treatment failed to reactivate the clinical condition or to induce shedding of BHV-2. However, treatment with DMS reactivated a latent infectious bovine rhinotracheitis (IBR) virus infection in all calves previously inoculated with BHV-2, and also in 2 noninoculated controls. The reactivation of IBR virus occurred without any clinical evidence of the disease, but the virus was isolated from nasal and pharyngeal swabbings and from the organs. A proliferative ganglionitis of the trigeminal ganglion was also observed. Because of the interference by IBR virus, this study did not resolve the question as to whether BHV-2 can induce a recurrent infection.     

Detection of serum antibodies against Mycoplasma gallisepticum and Mycoplasma synoviae by a dot-immunobinding technique

Both Mycoplasma gallisepticum (MG) and M. synoviae (MS) antigens prepared for the routine haemagglutination inhibition (HI) test were diluted and absorbed to the separate pieces of durapore membrane for the measurement of dot-immunobinding (DIB) titers of test sera. Besides, durapore strips bearing both antigens were employed for a DIB test with chicken sera definitely diluted 100-fold. Shortening of reaction time of chicken sera with antigens as well as with the secondary serum markedly eliminated non-specific DIB reactions exhibited at low dilutions although the same condition was not so effective on the elimination of non-specific reactions among rabbit hyperimmune sera. Rapid and specific development of DIB antibody which continued at high titer up to 1:640 for 10 weeks postinoculation was proved in the sera of SPF chickens inoculated with MG or MS, while DIB titers of sera from uninoculated chickens remained 1:20 or lower. Non-specific reactions, which occurred in the routine serum plate agglutination test with a part of sera from the inoculated chickens, were not exhibited in the DIB as well as in the HI test with the same sera. Results of the DIB test with serum samples from 287 conventionally reared chickens definitely diluted 100-fold coincided with the results of HI test at a level of 90% with MG and 89% with MS antigen. This technique seems to be useful for a rapid, simple and specific diagnosis of avian mycoplasmosis.     

CpG寡核苷酸对IBDV VP2基因真核表达质粒免疫增效作用

以传染性法氏囊病病毒(IBDV)VP2蛋白基因表达质粒DNA为免疫原，以CpG的寡核苷酸(CpG-0DN)为免疫佐剂，肌肉注射于14日龄SPF鸡，1周后加强免疫1次，2次免疫后15d和21d分别测定血清ELISA抗体效价，并于免疫后21d用IBDV99儿强毒株攻毒和进行病理学观察。结果显示，(1)VP2基因重组质粒DNA与CpG共同免疫组的ELISA抗体水平明显高于VP2重组质粒免疫组；(2)IBD弱毒苗与VP2重组质粒免疫组抗体水平明显高于VP2重组质粒免疫组，且比VP2基因重组质粒DNA与CpG共同免疫组略高；(3)VP2基因重组质粒DNA与CpG共同免疫组及IBD弱毒苗与VP2重组质粒免疫组可明显降低IBDV强毒攻击后引起的急性发病率和死亡率。由此表明，CpG寡核苷酸对IBDV VP2蛋白基因真核表达质粒免疫具有明显增强作用，有很大的应用前景。     

川西地区鸡滑液囊支原体分离株的部分生物学特性及其VlhA基因遗传进化分析

为了解鸡滑液囊支原体(MS)在川西地区的感染情况,本研究采集15个肉鸡场疑似MS感染的病鸡咽拭子、跗关节和胸部滑液囊样本共75份,对经PCR检测为阳性的样本进行MS分离,并对分离株的主要生物学特性进行研究,以及对分离株的VlhA基因进行遗传进化分析。结果显示,75份样本MS PCR阳性检出率为41.33%(31/75),11个鸡场感染该病,场阳性率为73.33%(11/15);但仅从其中3个鸡场分离到9株MS,分离株菌落与菌体形态与已知MS培养特性相符,各分离株培养浓度为10~4CCU/mL^10~6CCU/mL,分离株以5×10~5CCU接种7日龄SPF鸡胚,鸡胚于接种后7 d^9 d死亡,且分离回收到接种菌株;9株MS分离株VlhA基因的同源性为86.1%~99.9%,与参考株同源性为86.2%~95.4%,其中分离自同一鸡场的7株MS VlhA基因同源性为96.4%~99.9%;分离株VlhA基因遗传进化分析显示,其中分离自两个不同鸡场的两株MS与国内流行株的亲缘关系最近,而分离自另一鸡场的7株MS与中东地区分离的3株MS亲缘关系较近,表明MS在川西地区肉鸡场呈高感染率,MS VlhA基因变异较大。本研究为川西地区MS的进一步研究提供了基础材料和科学依据。