Seroprevalence of Mycoplasma gallisepticum (MG) infection in poultry and impact of biosecurity practices

Mycoplasma gallisepticum (MG) infection is considered as one of the significant problems for the poultry industry in Bangladesh. Therefore, this study was to determine the seroprevalence of MG in poultry (layer, broiler, and Sonali) and the impact of biosecurity strategies. The study was carried out in the Mymensingh and Gazipur districts of Bangladesh from January to September 2021. A total of 338 serum samples were considered for the Serum Plate Agglutination (SPA) test. Findings indicated 56.80% overall seroprevalence, and comparatively, Mymensingh had a greater seroprevalence (59.02%) than Gazipur (54.19%). The highest seroprevalence (63.87%) was observed in layers, whereas 56.55% and 45.95% were in broilers and Sonali, respectively. Considering the seasonal variation, winter seasons had a considerably (p<0.05) higher chance of seroprevalence than summer, indicated by 83.33% and 68.35% in layer and broiler, respectively. Flock size has a meaningful (p<0.01) impact on MG seroprevalence established by the higher seroprevalence (79.41%) in layer birds of flock sizes >2000 to <2500. In logistic regression, MG seroprevalence was significantly (p<0.01) less like to occur where the farm had concrete floor (OR=0.446; 95% CI: 0.268-0.745), distance >1000 meters from nearby farms (OR=0.485; 95% CI: 0.289-0.812), used disinfectant regularly (OR= 0.362; 95% CI: 0.214-0.614), controlled the rodents (OR=0.374; 95% CI: 0.222-0.63), controlled the visitors (OR=0.553; 95% CI: 0.331-0.926), had well ventilation (OR=0.300; 95% CI: 0.178-0.503) and cleaned the waterer-feeder regularly (OR=0.518; 95% CI: 0.307-0.876). In short, reducing the sources of contamination and transmission by ensuring strict biosecurity measures could be the strategy for controlling MG seroprevalence.