Current Situation with Avian Mycoplasmosis Prevention and Control

Efforts in the United States to control Mycoplasma gallisepticum (MG) began in the 1960’s, primarily as a response to high condemnations from airsacculitis after the initiation of USDA post mortem inspection of poultry. Somewhat later, M. synoviae (MS) and M. meleagridis (MM) were added to the program. Since then, significant progress has been made in controlling Mycoplasma infections in turkey and chicken breeding stocks. Voluntary MG control programs in the U. S. are administered under the National Poultry Improvement Plan; testing provisions and protocols are provided in their official publication (1). The majority of poultry production in the U. S. is mycoplasma-free; however, MG and MS infection are common in commercial egg production flocks. Unfortunately, in spite of increased efforts at control, outbreaks continue to occur. There have been changes which have resulted in an evolving situation in MG control, both in the United States and world-wide. These include changes in the poultry industry itself, improved detection methods, better understanding of the agent and its pathogenesis, and improved control methods.