Mycoplasmal Salpingitis of Chickens and Turkeys

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
Pathogenic Mycoplasma gallisepticum was isolated from eggs, from grossly normal oviducts, and from caseous material from the oviducts of mature chickens which had been inoculated with the organism via the umbilicus at 1 day of age. Histopathologically, infected oviducts exhibited characteristic diffuse lymphoid areas and small lymphoid follicles throughout the oviduct wall. Twenty-three percent (3/13) of the mature birds retained caseous plugs in the oviduct until maturity. These plugs were passed out of the vent before the 1st eggs were laid. In addition, the 1st few eggs laid by each hen were frequently covered by membranous shells. Severe mycoplasmal salpingitis, induced as above, was also produced in turkeys. Grossly, the condition was characterized by large caseous plugs which sometimes caused the vent to protrude. Pathogenic M. gallisepticum was isolated from the caseous oviduct contents. Histopathologically, characteristic massive lymphoid infiltration, frequently confluent, was observed throughout the oviduct wall.