A Comparative Study of Mycoplasma gallisepticum in Select Passerines Relative to Haemorhous mexicanus (House Finch)

Mycoplasma gallisepticum (MG) is one of the most prominent pathogens belonging to class Mollicutes. Its members lack cell walls and therefore express direct reliance on host cells for survival, leading to evolving immune evasion methods. This bacterium induces inflammatory responses causing sinusitis and conjunctivitis in avians. Due to the importance of domestic fowl across the agricultural industry, most research has investigated the effects of MG on poultry. Researchers have also investigated infection rates in granivorous Passeriformes (songbirds) due to their lifestyle, which promotes direct exposure and pathogen transmission. One species, Haemorhous mexicanus (House Finch), consistently exhibits symptoms of infection and therefore dominates the sector of passerine species studied. To expand the knowledge of this disease in songbirds, our study examines MG presence in five common passerines and compares them to the House Finch. Due to respiratory health impact by this bacteria, trachea and lung samples were collected and analyzed by molecular techniques. We hypothesize that, because all species analyzed belong to the same order, MG presence in the five passerines will mirror that observed in House Finches.