Molecular detection of Mycoplasma synoviae and avian reovirus infection in arthritis and tenosynovitis lesions of broiler and breeder chickens in Santa Catarina State, Brazil

Authors

  • Carolina Reck Santa Catarina State University
  • Álvaro Menin Federal University of Santa Catarina
  • Mariana F Canever Santa Catarina State University
  • Celso Pilati Santa Catarina State University
  • Luiz C Miletti Santa Catarina State University

Abstract

Infectious arthritis or tenosynovitis in broiler and breeder chickens results in major loss of productivity because of reduced growth and downgrading at processing plants. The most common causative agents of avian infectious arthritis are the bacterium Mycoplasma synoviae and avian reoviruses (ARVs) (family Reoviridae, genus Orthoreovirus). In this study, we evaluated the occurrence of these two pathogens in arthritis or tenosynovitis lesions of broilers and breeder flocks in southern Brazil using molecular detection. Tissue sections from tibiotarsal joints with visible lesions from 719 broilers and 505 breeders were analysed using pathogenspecific polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays. In breeders, 41.2% (n = 296) of lesions were positive for M. synoviae, 26.4% (n = 190) were positive for ARV, while co-infection was present in 12.2% (n = 88) of the samples. In broilers, 20.8% (n = 105) of lesions were positive for M. synoviae, 11.9% (n = 60) for ARV and 7.7% (n = 39) of these cases were positive for both
pathogens. Post-mortem examination revealed lesions with varying degrees of gross pathological severity. Histopathological examination showed intense, diffuse lymphohistiocytic inflammatory infiltrates with heterophil accumulation, primarily in the synovial capsule and digital flexor tendon, in all samples. Improved strategies for early detection and control of these major avian pathogens are highly desirable for preventing the spread of infection and reducing economic losses in the poultry industry.
Keywords: poultry; arthritis; Mycoplasma synoviae; avian reovirus; PCR; polymerase chain reaction.

Author Biographies

  • Carolina Reck, Santa Catarina State University

    Department of Animal Production, Center for Agricultural Sciences, Santa Catarina State University,
    Lages, Brazil and VERTÀ, Research and Veterinary Diagnostic Institute, Curitibanos, Santa Catarina, Brazil

  • Álvaro Menin, Federal University of Santa Catarina

    Department of Biosciences and One Health, Federal University of Santa Catarina, Curitibanos, Santa Catarina, Brazil

  • Mariana F Canever, Santa Catarina State University

    Department of Animal Production, Santa Catarina State University, Center for Agricultural Sciences, Lages,
    Santa Catarina, Brazil

  • Celso Pilati, Santa Catarina State University

    Department of Veterinary Medicine, Center for Agricultural Sciences, Santa Catarina State University,
    Lages, Santa Catarina, Brazil

  • Luiz C Miletti, Santa Catarina State University

    Department of Animal Production, Center for Agricultural Sciences, Santa Catarina State University,
    Lages, Brazil

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Published

2021-12-09

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Section

Original Research