Incidence and risk factors of Mycoplasma synoviae infection in broiler breeder farms of Iran

Mycoplasma synoviae (MS) is an important pathogen of poultry worldwide, causing respiratory tract infection and infectious synovitis in chickens and turkeys. The aim of this study was to determine the incidence and risk factors (age, size of flock, locale, sex and strain) of Mycoplasma synoviae in broiler breeder farms in Iran. The study was based on Rapid Serum Plate Agglutination (SPA) and enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) tests. The prevalence was highest (44%) in winter and lowest (34%) in summer. Ross, Cobb, Arian, Hubbard and Arbor Acres strains had 40%, 44%, 32%, 27% and 45% infection, respectively. The prevalence was recorded highest in above 60 weeks of age (47.8%), but at 10-20 weeks it was lowest (14.2%). No significant difference was seen in flocks up to 30,000 population (41.9%), 30,000-40,000 (52%) and upper 40,000 (57%). The prevalence of Mycoplasmosis in foothills was significantly (p<0.05) higher (41%) than coastal area (34.5%). The results showed that occurrence of MS have a significant relationship with the age and zone of sampling.