Combination of differential growth at two different temperatures with a quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction to determine temperature-sensitive phenotype of Mycoplasma synoviae

Abstract

Mycoplasma synoviae infections result in significant economic losses in the chicken and turkey industries. A commercially available live temperature-sensitive (ts+) vaccine strain MS-H has been found to be effective in controlling M. synoviae infections in commercial layer and broiler breeder farms in various countries, including Australia. Detection and differentiation of MS-H from field strains (ts-) and from ts- MS-H reisolates in vaccinated flocks is vital in routine flock status monitoring. At present microtitration is the only available technique to determine the ts phenotype of M. synoviae. This technique is time consuming and not amenable to automation. In the present study, a quanti..