THE POLYMERASE CHAIN-REACTION FOR MYCOPLASMA-GALLISEPTICUM DETECTION

On the basis of the aligned 16S rRNA sequences of Mollicutes, a pair o f primers was chosen for the detection of Mycoplasma gallisepticum. Wh en used in the polymerase chain reaction (PCR), the primers detected a specific amplification of all Mg strains tested, yielding an expected 330 bp product. Amplification was not detected when other Mollicutes or E. coli were used as PCR templates. SPF chickens were experimentall y inoculated with two strains of M. gallisepticum or Mycoplasma iowae. Tracheal swabs were collected 8, 15, 20 and 28 days after inoculation , and cultured for mycoplasma or tested by PCR. PCR products were dete cted by hybridization with a digoxigenin-labeled probe and by chemilum inescence. The results showed that culture was positive for 49/73 swab s while PCR detected 70/72 positive samples. Thus, PCR can provide the basis of a sensitive, specific, rapid and non-radio-active method for detecting M. gallisepticum.