Document Type : Al-Qadisiyah Conference 2025
Authors
1 AL- Qadisiyah University, College of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Microbiology
2 Dept.of Pathology and Poultry diseases, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Al-Qadisiyah
Abstract
Mycoplasma gallisepticum (MG) is one of the most significant pathogens in poultry medicine, responsible for chronic respiratory disease (CRD) in chickens and infectious sinusitis in turkeys. As a member of the class Mollicutes, MG is distinguished by its lack of a cell wall, small genome, and parasitic lifestyle. Infections cause substantial economic losses in the global poultry industry through reduced productivity, increased mortality, and costs of treatment and prevention. This review summarizes current knowledge on MG, including its history, taxonomy, morphological and molecular characteristics, pathogenic mechanisms, epidemiology, clinical manifestations, immune responses, diagnostic strategies, antibiotic resistance, control measures, and vaccination. Future perspectives are also outlined, emphasizing genomic insights, host–pathogen interactions, and novel therapeutics.Mycoplasmas are unique prokaryotes, representing the smallest free-living organisms. They lack a rigid cell wall, possess reduced genomes, and depend heavily on host-derived nutrients . Among avian mycoplasmas, MG is of particular importance, causing CRD in chickens and sinusitis in turkeys, both of which impair flock performance and increase susceptibility to secondary infections such as Escherichia coli . Despite decades of research, MG remains globally prevalent, and avian mycoplasmosis is listed by the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) as a notifiable disease due to its transboundary and economic impact
Keywords
)
