Mycoplasma synoviae (MS) is the causative agent of respiratory, locomotory and egg production problems. It is a major cause of disease and production loss in many countries with commercial poultry production. Losses to MS due to infectious synovitis range from 5 to 15 percent mortality, but may exceed 75 percent. Weight loss, lower egg production and hatchability, and increased offspring mortality also contribute to the economic impact of MS infections.

Why participate

• To minimize the economic impact of Ms infections on production.
• To eradicate Ms from your production chain.
• To provide a certificate of the Ms status of parent flock, hatching eggs and day-old chicks. 

What sampling is involved

• Monthly serology and/or PCR samples submitted to GD. Sampling frequency will be tailormade to clients’ demands and wishes and to Ms prevalence.
• PCR testing of samples differentiates between field infection and vaccination (NB: antibiotic use will affect sampling protocols).
• Annual sampling protocols will be evaluated based on the current prevalence of Ms. In cases of low prevalence, more and frequent sampling will help maintain Ms-free status.

How you get advised

• Our experts interpret the results and provide written advice.
• We will advise on how to reduce or eradicate Ms based on a top-down approach in the poultry production chain. Advice consists of monitoring programmes, vaccination protocols, biosecurity measures etc.

Our expert

Anneke Feberwee, DVM, PhD, EBVS® Dr. A.Feberwee obtained a Doctor in Veterinary Medicine degree at Utrecht University in 1992. She finished her PhD thesis entitled 'Detection and epidemiology of M. gallisepticum and M. synoviae' in 2006. In 2009 she became De facto recognized Specialist in Poultry Veterinary Science appointed by the European College of Poultry Veterinary Science. She has been employed at GD from 1996 until present. From 1996 onwards, she has been working in the area of diagnostic field and disease control including the organized control of Salmonella and Mycoplasma and is as a scientist dedicated to applied research concerning various aspects of poultry health amongst which: Salmonella in chickens, Mycoplasma synoviae and M. gallisepticum infections in chickens and turkeys, Brachyspira infections in poultry, infectious Coryza. In 2011 she received the Bart Rispens Memorial Award for the most outstanding scientific publication in Avian Pathology during the years 2009 and 2010. Fields of expertise and publications