Method of detecting mycoplasma infection in poultry and compositions

Abstract

The present invention relates to the identification and purification of antigens from M. gallisepticum and M. synoviae and their use in serological assays. Cell proteins from these organisms that possess substantial immunoreactive responses with poultry antisera to the mycoplasma from which they are isolated in both the acute and convalescent stages of infection are identified. Of these immunogenic proteins, those that also lack immunogenic cross-reactivity with antisera to other poultry mycoplasmas and pathogens are identified. These species specific proteins are purified and incorporated into enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs). The resulting assays are able to detect sensitively and selectively both field or experimentally-induced M. gallisepticum or M. synoviae infection in poultry. A combination of these assays are incorporated into a diagnostic kit to allow the rapid, sensitive, and selective testing for and differentiation between M. gallisepticum and M. synoviae. This invention also provides anti-serum to these mycoplasma antigens and an immunoassay that employs this anti-serum to detect infection in poultry. Furthermore, a method to produce genetic clones that express the antigenic portions of the mycoplasma antigens is provided.