Production of ducks and geese in certain parts of the world is very important. In a recent study published in Poultry Science, L. Stipkovits and S. Szathmary of the RT-Europe Research Center in Mosonmagyarovar, Hungary, report that mycoplasma diseases cause significant losses to the duck and goose industry. Their review summarises the epidemiological, clinical and pathomorphological characteristics of mycoplasma diseases of ducks and geese and the involvement of the various mycoplasma species in their pathogenesis.

The role of mycoplasma infections in the development of clinical signs, pathological lesions and mortality of challenged birds is demonstrated in challenge experiments. Transmission of mycoplasma in the ovary and eggs resulting in the reduction of egg production and an increase of embryo mortality has been shown in challenge experiments as well as in field studies.

The susceptibility of many mycoplasma isolates of the most important mycoplasma species of duck and goose origin were tested and showed relatively high average minimum inhibitory concentrations of lincomycin, tilosin, oxytetracycline, chlortetracycline and enrofloxacin but not for tiamulin.

Stipkovits and Szathmary conclude that the successful treatment of mycoplasma infections with antibiotics in ducks and geese should be selected based on the minimum inhibitory concentration values against the mycoplasmas isolated from the flock.

Reference

Stipkovits L. and S. Szathmary. 2012. Mycoplasma infection of ducks and geese. Poult. Sci., 91(11):2812-2819. doi: 10.3382/ps.2012-02310

Further Reading You can view the full report (fee payable) by clicking here.