Detection of Mycoplasma synoviae in poultry environment samples by cultureand polymerase chain reaction

Successful detection of Mycoplasma synoviae (MS) by culture and PCR from sa mples collected in the environment of experimentally infected chickens and turkeys, or under field conditions, is described. Results showed that in th e experimental infection, 10/96 and 46/96 samples of food, drinking water, feathers, droppings or dust were positive by culture and Mycoplasma-PCR. In field conditions, the number of positive results for environmental samples were respectively 7/28 and 17/28. 28. These observations highlight the hig h disseminating capacities of this mycoplasma and show the usefulness of th e PCR method for epidemiological studies. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. Al l rights reserved.