Prevalence of antibodies against Mycoplasma meleagridis in breeding Turkeys in Lima

A field study was conducted to determine the prevalence of antibodies against Mycoplasma meleagridis in 20 turkey breeder flocks located in the Lima region during 2007. A total of 400 blood samples were taken from male and female birds of 8 to 57 weeks old, from Asia and Chilca districts. The indirect enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to measure serum antibodies against M. meleagridis. Three positive samples were found (one per flock) representing a prevalence of 0.75 ± 0.04%. The seropositive reactivity per affected flock was 5%, and without showing clinical signs compatible to those observed in the disease. According to these findings, it is concluded that the 20 flocks were not exposed to M. meleagridis and that the positive results may be due to false positive seroreactions.