Mycoplasma gallisepticum

Mycoplasma gallisepticum (MG) is a bacterium in the class Mollicutes and the family Mycoplasmataceae. It causes chronic respiratory disease (CRD) in chickens and infectious sinusitis in turkeys, chickens, game birds, pigeons, and passerine birds of all ages. Mycoplasma gallisepticum is a significant pathogen in poultry. Mycoplasmosis is the disease caused by infection with mycoplasmas. Mycoplasmas have many defining characteristics. Mycoplasma lack cell walls, have highly variable surface proteins and a distinctive plasma membrane, and are the smallest self-replicating prokaryotes. Mycoplasmas can cause disease in humans, animals, insects, and plants. Mycoplasmas attach to host epithelial cells, such as in the respiratory tract, causing cell damage and an inflammatory response. There are currently over 100 species of mycoplasmas known. The following have been isolated from wild birds: Mycoplasma buteonis, Mycoplasma corogypsi, Mycoplasma falconis, Mycoplasma gypis, Mycoplasma sturni, and Mycoplasma gallisepticum. M. gallisepticum has the most significant effect on wild birds.