Isolation, identification and epidemiological investigation of Mycoplasmas from racing pigeons

• Main Authors: Ju-Po Kao, 高如柏
• Other Authors: Lin, Tzu-En
• Format: Others
• Language: zh-TW
• Published: 2000
• Online Access: http://ndltd.ncl.edu.tw/handle/87634905000186513701

碩士 === 國立中興大學 === 獸醫學系 === 88 === Pigeon mycoplasmosis is caused by three species of mycoplasma, including Mycoplasma columbinum (M. columbinum), Mycoplasma columborale (M. columborale) and Mycoplasma columbonasale (M. columbonasale). These organisms have largely been recovered from the respiratory tracts and brains. During September 1999 and April 2000, a total number of 437 live and died racing pigeons (Columba livia) from 76 lofts in the four areas of Taiwan were examined clinically and cultured for mycoplasma spp. Both clinically healthy birds and those showing signs of respiratory disease were included. The oropharynx and cloaca were the culture sites for 384 live birds, but the nasal sinuses, tracheas and other tissues for 59 carcases. After purification, the isolated strains were identified by morphological examinations, filtration and reversion experiments, and biochemical property and digitonin sensitivity test. We comfirmed that 243 isolates of mycoplasma spp., consisting of 152 arginine-positive and 91 glucose-fermenting isolates. Serological tests of the growth inhibition and metabolism inhibition were employed for the identification of isolates. The results showed that 146 arginine-positive isolates were M. columbinum , 91 glucose-fermenting isolates of M. columborale, and 6 isolates were neither M. columbinum nor M. columborale. But, M. columbonasale was not isolated. From the results of the experiments, we can conclude that respiratory tract is the only site that we can isolate mycoplasma. Also, pigeon have been revealed to harbor mycoplasmas in high incidence from various lofts in Taiwan, ranging from 50 % to 100 %. The results also revealed that 357 out of 437 (81.7 %) of pigeons had one or two species of mycoplasmas in their oropharynxes. Coinfection of M. columbinum and M. columborale were found in 232 of 437 (53.1 %) of pigeons. The incidence of mycoplasmal infection was not significantly related with pigeon sex, age and seasons. Wherever, the relation of location existed as to be 88.8 % (95/107) in southern area, and 86.7 % (39/45) in eastern area of Taiwan.