Pathogenicity of Mycoplasma meleagridis for Turkey and Chicken Embryos

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Abstract
No consistent death pattern was obtained in chicken embryos with isolates of Mycoplasma meleagridis, even after 19-22 embryo passages. However, airsacculitis was observed in either hatched chicks or poults which had been inoculated during embryonic development with isolates of M. meleagridis. The production of airsacculitis in chicks is regarded as an expression of an inherent property of M. meleagridis in a naturally resistant host but at a stage when the host defense mechanism is not yet operative. In contrast, the greater susceptibility of the turkey, regardless of the stage of its development, would suggest that this species is the natural host for this organism.