A survey of Mycoplasma gallisepticum and Mycoplasma synovaie with avian influenza H9 subtype in meat-type chicken in Jordan between 2011–2015

Abstract

Commercial chickens in Jordan suffer from respiratory disease of undetermined etiology. This study was designed to document the involvement of avian influenza virus (AIV) H9 subtype, Mycoplasma gallisepticum (MG), and Mycoplasma synoviae (MS) in this respiratory disease. In this study, trachea swabs from 350 commercial broiler chicken flocks that suffered from respiratory disease were tested for AIV H9 subtype by using reverse transcription (RT)-PCR and for MG and MS by using PCR. PCR and RT-PCR results showed that 23.7, 8.9, and 6.6% of these flocks were infected with AIV H9 subtype, MS, and MG, respectively, whereas 12.9 and 5.7% of these flocks were infected with both AIV H9 subtype and MS and AIV H9 subtype and MS, respectively. Furthermore, 42.3% of these flocks were negative for the above mentioned respiratory diseases. Further epidemiological studies are recommended to determine risk factors and evaluate the economic consequences of AIV H9 subtype, MG, and MS infections in the region. Furthermore, studies are required to isolate AIV H9 subtype, MG, and MS and develop vaccines against the local field isolates.