Mycoplasmosis

This chapter presents relevance, etiology, public health, epidemiology, pathogenesis, clinical signs, lesions, diagnosis, immunity, prevention and control of Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae, Mycoplasma hyorhinis, Mycoplasma hyosynoviae, and Other mycoplasma spp in swine. Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae causes enzootic pneumonia (EP) and is an important primary pathogen in the porcine respiratory disease complex (PRDC). Mycoplasma hyorhinis most commonly causes polyserositis and arthritis in nursery-age pigs. Mycoplasma hyosynoviae causes arthritis in grow- finish pigs, and Mycoplasma suis, formerly Eperythrozoon suis, causes infectious anemia in pigs. A sensitive and specific real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay is currently the best assay for detecting the organism. Other more recently developed tests include a specific and highly sensitive multiplex microbead immunoassay and a colloidal gold-based immunochromatographic assay for rapid detection of M. suis in porcine plasma. Supportive therapy and iron injections will help recovery and minimize mortality.