P. Ponnusamy, T. Lurthu Reetha, B.S.M. Ronald, B. Puvarajan and R. Manicakm's scientific contributions

In the present study, Mycoplasma gallinaceum was detected by PCR amplification of 16S rRNA gene from chronic respiratory disease in village chickens of Cauvery delta region of Tamil Nadu. Necropsy was performed to find out the etiological agent in desi birds mortality. At necropsy, airsacculitis with caseous exudate were found in the thoracic and abdominal cavity. Caseous material from airsacs was collected aseptically from dead birds for detection of Mycoplasma species. DNA was extracted from caseous material by using tissue DNA extraction kit. PCR was carried out using primers to amplify 16S rRNA gene belonging to Mycoplasma species. The amplified product yielded approximately 700-bp length (703 to 713 bp) of the 16S rRNA gene specific for Mycoplasma species. Further, it was subjected to sequence analysis and confirmed as Mycoplasma gallinaceum by NCBI blast analysis. In the present communication, detection of M. gallinaceum by PCR amplification of 16S rRNA gene provides a powerful tool for rapid diagnosis.