Four mycoplasma species can affect swine health, but the severity of the associated diseases varies.
For North American pork producers, receiving a diagnosis of mycoplasma can be quite stressful. Mycoplasma is the overarching name for different bacteria that affect many species such as cattle, swine and even humans.
The good news, however, is that not all mycoplasma species have the same effect that Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae (Mhyo) does on health status and productivity.
Understanding the differences between species is important for your herd management techniques, as the presentation and treatment of the associated diseases varies between the species of bacteria.
Four mycoplasma species are relevant to swine health: Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae, Mycoplasma hyosynoviae, Mycoplasma hyorhinis and Mycoplasma suis. While a few other swine mycoplasmas exist, they have not been proven to cause disease. So, these pathogens are considered nonpathogenic.
Among key advice:
"Though many different species of mycoplasma exist, not all are as threatening to swine health and production as Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae. Understanding the differences between the species can help producers with disease management as well as avoiding confusion when purchasing or selling animals."
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