Pathogenic effects on domestic poultry of a Mycoplasma gallisepticum strain isolated from a wild house finch

Mycoplasma gallisepticum (MG) has been isolated from wild house finches. Th e pathogenic effects of MG finch strain (K4058) and MG R-strain were compar ed after srposure of chickens and turkeys. Gross and histologic lesions, re isolation of the organism, serology, and clinical disease were evaluated. M ilder histologic and gross lesions, in addition to lower serologic titers, occurred in birds inoculated with the finch strain. Mortality, concurrent w ith clinical and gross respiratory signs and lesions, was observed only in chickens challenged with R-strain. Both the MG finch strain and MG R-strain were recovered from the respective challenge groups at 14 and 28 days post exposure. The results show that MG isolated from wild house finches may inf ect domestic poultry species but causes only mild disease and is less virul ent than MG R-strain. Commercial enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kin best detected the serologic response of chickens and turkeys to the MG finch st rain.