Mycoplasma meleagridis Infection: Development of Lesions and Distribution of Infection in Turkey Embryos

Abstract

Turkey embryos from eggs naturally and experimentally infected with Mycoplasma meleagridis were examined by immunofluorescence and light microscopy for distribution of infection and development of lesions. The time at which organisms could be demonstrated and their distribution suggested that the embryos became infected following ingestion or inhalation of amniotic fluid which contained M. meleagridis. Specific fluorescence was observed along the epithelial surfaces of respiratory and anterior digestive tracts of embryos after 3 weeks' incubation or more. The only inflammatory lesions observed were exudative airsacculitis and pneumonia, which occurred during late embryonic development. A hepatic perivascular granulocytopoietic response also was evident near the time of hatching. The occurrence of lesions only during late embryonic development was believed to be related to maturation of inflammatory cells.