Controlling
mycoplasmosis in pheasants
Mycoplasmosis
can seriously affect
production, but
careful management
can reduce its impact.
Mycoplasmosis is the most costly
disease of domestic birds worldwide.
In the UK, the disease, often known
as ‘Bulgy Eye’ disease in the game
keeper community, is one of the
most economically important
diseases of game birds.
Mycoplasmosis is most often seen
in adult birds, although all ages may
be a;ected and increased mortality
in seven- to 14-day- old chicks can be
devastating to game farmers.
Typically, outbreaks of
Mycoplasma infection are associated
with slow onset chronic respiratory
signs which include severe sinusitis,
sneezing, conjunctivitis, watery eyes,
nasal discharge, poor productivity,
slow growth and a marked
reluctance to move. Co-infections
with other respiratory viruses and
bacteria are also common and can
increase disease severity.
Prevention by biosecurity
and management
Eradication of this infection has
been the central objective of o;cial
poultry health programmes in many
countries, therefore Mycoplasma
gallisepticum infection status is
important for trade in birds, hatching
eggs and chicks.
These programmes are based on
purchase of uninfected chicks, all-in/
all-out production, biosecurity, and
routine serological monitoring. In
the case of known infected flocks,
preventative medication is usually
beneficial.
Vaccines, none of which are
licensed for use in pheasants, using
live attenuated or naturally mild
strains are used in some countries
and may be helpful in gradually
displacing field strains on multi-age sites. However, productivity in
challenged and vaccinated birds
are not as productive as those in
Mycoplasma-free stock.
Good management techniques,
avoiding stress and overcrowding are
most important factors for keeping
birds healthy and disease-free.
Diagnosis
Swabs are taken for diagnosis,
and confirmation of infection uses a
variety of techniques including blood
serology testing. Modern DNA-based PCR techniques can provide a
rapid confirmation of diagnosis if it is
urgent to determine the flock status.
Treatment
Various antibiotics have been
used for treatment of Mycoplasma
infections including tylosin,
tiamulin, tetracyclines, lincomycin-
spectinomycin but none of these
are licensed specifically for use in
pheasants or game birds. Last year,
however, tylvalosin received a EU
marketing authorisation through
the European Medicines Agency
(EMA) and is the only fully EMA
licensed product for the treatment
for Mycoplasma gallisepticum in
pheasants.
