Mycoplasma gallisepticum Conjunctivitis in Songbirds
Author Information
Author(s): David H. Ley, J. Edward Berkhoff, Sharon Levisohn
Primary Institution: College of Veterinary Medicine, North Carolina State University
Hypothesis
Is Mycoplasma gallisepticum the cause of conjunctivitis in house finches and other songbirds?
Conclusion
The outbreak of conjunctivitis in songbirds is caused by a single strain of Mycoplasma gallisepticum.
Supporting Evidence
- MG was isolated from house finches and other songbirds with conjunctivitis.
- All MG isolates from songbirds had identical RAPD banding patterns.
- The outbreak is not caused by vaccine or reference strains.
- MG infection has not been shared between songbirds and commercial poultry.
Takeaway
Sick house finches and other songbirds have a common eye infection caused by the same germ, which can spread between different bird species.
Methodology
DNA fingerprints of Mycoplasma gallisepticum isolates were produced using random amplification of polymorphic DNA (RAPD) and compared across different bird species and locations.
Limitations
The study is limited to isolates from specific regions and may not represent all cases of conjunctivitis in songbirds.
Participant Demographics
Isolates were obtained from house finches, American goldfinches, and a blue jay across 11 states in the United States.
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