Comparative Evaluation of Serological test in Diagnosis of Mycoplasma gallisepticum Infection in Iranian North-west rural Poultry

Mycoplasma gallisepticum (MG) is one of the most important diseases in Iranian poultry industry and all over the world. Mortality, poor weight gain and increasing of feed conversion ratio (FCR) were seen in MG infected flocks, and causes economical losses particularly in broiler chickens that were used for meat production. In this study, 3 broiler breeder rural farms located around Tabriz city of Iran were investigated during 2011-2012. In each farm 30 serum samples were obtained. The prevalence of Mycoplasma gallisepticum was studied by RSA and ELISA test. Our results indicated that the from 90 samples were tested, 38 (42.22%) of samples were positive in RSA, while 30 (33.33%) of samples were positive in ELISA. It can be concluded that RSA and ELISA serological tests should be only used as screening in monitoring programs to detect MG in poultry flocks and positive results should be confirmed by routine microbiological tests. The higher rate of MG in broiler flocks indicated that these farms do not consider biosecurity and hygienic conditions.