Identification of Mycoplasma synoviae by PCR and Culture Methods and Determination of the Prevalence of P۱, P۳۰, and P۱۱۶ Virulence Genes in the Isolates

Aims: Mycoplasma synoviae, as one of the main pathogens of birds, causes a lot of economic losses to the poultry industry. This study aimed to identify M. synoviae strains in clinical samples by PCR and culture methods.Materials & Methods: A total of ۱۳۵ samples were randomly collected from the respiratory tracts of female broilers in industrial poultry farms in Kerman, Iran during the first six months of ۲۰۱۶. Samples were cultured on Frey and PPLO broth media. Then PCR method was performed to identify Mycoplasma genus and synoviae species. Finally, multiplex PCR was performed to determine the prevalence of P۱, P۳۰, and P۱۱۶ virulence genes.Findings: In this study, ۱۷ (۳۲%) out of ۵۳ poultry samples were positive for the presence of Mycoplasma genus by culture method, whereas according to the PCR results, ۲۵ (۴۷%) out of ۵۳ samples were confirmed as Mycoplasma genus, among which ۱۳ samples (۲۵%) were identified as M. synoviae species. Among the strains confirmed as M. synoviae, the prevalence rate of P۱, P۳۰, and P۱۱۶ genes was ۷ (۵۳.۸%), ۶ ۴۶.۱%), and ۵ (۳۸.۴۶%), respectively.Conclusion: According to the PCR and culture methods results, the prevalence of M. synoviae strains was high in industrial poultry farms, Kerman, Iran. The PCR results revealed a higher prevalence rate for this bacterium, suggesting that this method may be more reliable than culture method.