National Survey to Determine Uniformity of Serological Test Results for Avian Mycoplasmosis

Abstract

A national survey was conducted to address the concern over the uniformity of serological test results for avian mycoplasmosis. The National Veterinary Services Laboratories produced chicken and turkey mycoplasma serum-check test kits. Each kit had a total of 25 sera that consisted of negative and positive sera. Participating laboratories were requested to examine their kits using the serum plate agglutination test with the plate antigens currently being used and the hemagglutination inhibition test with the hemagglutinating antigens provided. A conclusion whether serum plate agglutination-positive sera were positive, negative, or suspicious was based on the hemagglutination inhibition test results. Results in each category were scored on the basis of 100 points. The average scores on the serum plate agglutination test, hemagglutination inhibition test, and conclusion were 95, 71, and 91, respectively, for the chicken serum test kit and 91, 71, and 89, respectively, for the turkey serum test kit. The results indicated a high degree of uniformity among laboratories in reporting serological test results for mycoplasmosis in chickens and turkeys.