Expert Talks: Prof Naola Ferguson-Noel on Avian Mycoplasma
Avian Mycoplasma is a widespread problem in the poultry industry, mainly in layers and breeders.
To be able to exchange knowledge and insight on the topic with one of the Experts was great.
For this serie of “Expert Talks” we had the opportunity to digitally meet and discuss with Prof Naola Ferguson-Noel.
Professor Ferguson (DVM, MAM, PhD) is a member of the College of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Georgia, USA, Department of Population Health, Poultry Diagnostic and Research Center.
Her research focuses on Mycoplasma gallisepticum, on which topic she published a range of scientific publications.
Together with Vaxxinova colleagues from Netherlands, Japan, Jordan, Thailand and USA this was the exciting baseline to kick off a lively session on Avian Mycoplasma.
Watch the videos as listed below, new releases weekly.
Safety is always a concern when using a live MG vaccine. Especially because Mycoplasma has a very high mutation rate. Prof Naola Ferguson-Noel explains to Vaxxinova’s Ludio Gomes what to consider – correct vaccine application and level of attenuation of the vaccine play an important role.
Prof Naola Ferguson-Noel and Dr Dan Domingo (Vaxxinova USA) discuss the duration of immunity in layer flocks that are kept up-to 100 or 110 weeks of age. Will live vaccines provide immunity for the entire life of the birds? Or do we need a killed vaccine as well to enhance immunity? And what is the role of antibiotic treatment? The information available is conflicting, experimental conditions and field conditions appear to differ. And again, many factors play a role. See and hear for yourself in this video.
Prof Naola Ferguson-Noel explains the importance of good biosecurity measurements on the farm. Mycoplasma is fragile and will not survive for long outside the host chicken. Good cleaning and desinfection will kill the Mycoplasma present in the environment. Off course, this relates not only to Mycoplasma, but also to other bacteria and virusses.
Will a MG positive flock become negative after treatment?
Treatment with AB’s of a MG positive flock will suppress the infection. However, Mycoplasma is chronic and will not go away, even with treatment. Expert Prof Naola Ferguson-Noel explains, in conversation with Vaxxinova’s Dr. Husam Bakri.
What is the role of MDA’s in suppressing Mycoplasma infections?
The role of maternally derived antibodies in preventing chicks from being infected with Mycoplasma, is complicated. The presence of mda’s is not necessarily beneficial and can even lead to an increase of Mycoplasma infections in hatched chicks. Listen to Prof Naola Ferguson-Noel and Vaxxinova colleague Matsui Kazuhiro in this episode of Expert Talks.
The talks continue on the topic of vaccination of flocks already suffering from a field strain.
If there is already a mycoplasma field challenge in the flock, should we still vaccinate? And if so, when and with which type of vaccine? This is the topic of the discussion with expert Prof Naola Ferguson-Noel and Vaxxinova colleague Dan Domingo. Followed by insights on the vaccination strategies in multi-age farms.
Should we vaccinate a MG positive flock?
As Prof Ferguson explains, it depends on the immunogenicity of the field strain. However, vaccination will always provide a more predictable and controlled situation.
Listen to the conversation with Vaxxinova’s Ludio Gomes.
(topic continues in the next video)
Expert Prof Ferguson and Vaxxinova’s Ludio Gomes discuss whether or not different mycoplasma strains “compete” with each other?
Prof Naola Ferguson and her team have tested this: there is zero competition between the various species of mycoplasma! An interesting topic, where there are still some things to explore.
When and why to use which type of MG vaccine?
Keywords to answer this question: safety and efficacy. Prof Naola Ferguson has a clear view on when to use live, inactivated, or recombinant Mycoplasma vaccines. Listen to her insights, in conversation with Vaxxinova colleague Dan Domingo.
(continued in the next video)
And as a follow up from previous video – how to define protection versus efficacy?
A way of approching this us to define the level of efficacy as a spectrum between virulence and pathogenicity. Whereas protection is there or not.
Prof Naola Ferguson-Noel explains.
Expert Prof Naola Ferguson-Noel in conversation with Vaxxinova’s Marcelo Zuanaze on the topic of MG vaccination in multi-age farms. What is the best vaccination strategy to replace the field strain with the vaccine strain, to cool down the challenge? What are the pros and cons of such a strategy? Listen to the answers to these questions (and more) in this Expert Talks video.
(also see video below on this topic)
And how do we measure if the replacement of the field strain with the vaccine strain came with good results? PCR is indeed a good method to measure this, as Prof Ferguson explains.
What is the best sample size and sampling interval to diagnose MG or the mycoplasma vaccine intake?
The answer depends on what is the goal of the diagnosis? Answering this question basically determines the sample size. Is it to know more about mycoplasma infection or about the vaccine intake? Do you sample a production flock or, for example, a pedigree flock?
Expert Prof Naola Ferguson-Noel explains.
(continues in video below)
As a follow up from the above video – what is the best frequency of sampling to monitor vaccine intake?
A practical question from the field: as sampling and serology is expensive, is it necessary to sample every 4-6 weeks if the vaccine is performing well? This will depend on the field situation and the vaccine itself. But also on the reason you are monitoring, what do you want to do with the result? Some hands-on tips from Prof Ferguson-Noel.
According to Prof Naola Ferguson an HI test is more sensitive where an ELISA test is more specific. Her preferred method to measure seroconversion after vaccination is ELISA. Where HI tests are more suitable to measure other parameters. As this video will explain.
The topic of this, and next, video is on measuring seroconversion after vaccination.
And again – it depends on many factors. It is not possible to give a hard number to measure the seroconversion. It really depends on the situation of the farm, the company, the geopgraphical area and more.
Hear and see Expert Prof Naola Ferguson and Vaxxinova colleague Husam Bakri on the topic.
And if we want to measure seroconversion after vaccination, is the preferred method by ELISA or HI?
In this video the topic of seroconversion continues.
About the latency period for Mycoplasma gallinarum and Mycoplasma synoviae, there are still unclarities. Research has been done, but it is still unpredictable how and when Mycoplasma surfaces. And this relates to the field strain as well as to the vaccine strain.
The topic of vertical transmission of MG continues. Very often we do not see clinical signs in the first weeks of life in broilers coming from MG positive broiler breeders. Only after 4 to 5 weeks clinical signs will manifest. Prof Ferguson explains why!
What are the differences in vertical transmission between MS and MG?
Are there any differences? This is highly strain and situation dependent. And for both Mycoplasma synoviae (MS) and Mycoplasma gallisepticum (MG) goes, it is always a problem. No matter how low the vertical transmission, it will result in horizontal transmission in your flock. Sooner or later the clinical signs will manifest in the flock.
When discussing Avian Mycoplasma, the focus is usually on Mycoplasma gallisepticum (MG). But also Mycoplasma synoviae (MS) seems to be on the rise. Perhaps due to better diagnosis techniques? The message is: next to MG, do not underestimate MS!
Live or inactivated mycoplasma vaccine – which on is used best and in which situation, to prevent and control the disease? Listen here to hear an explanation on why this varies per region and country.
The situation with regards to Mycoplasma is variable, depending on the region you are in. This relates to how Mycoplasma is being dealt with. National (vaccination) programs, biosecurity and use of antibiotics all play a role, as Prof Ferguson explains.
This Expert Talks series features an interactive session on Avian Mycoplasma. The Expert on the topic, Prof Naola Ferguson-Noel, University of Georgia, USA, exchanges expertise and experiences from science AND the field with colleagues from Vaxxinova from various regions: Dr Husam Bakri in Jordan (MENA); Dr Dan Domingo in USA; Dr Ludio Gomes in Thailand (SE-Asia); Dr Matsui Kazuhiro in Japan and Dr Marcelo Zuanaze based in The Netherlands (Global).