Assessment of the pathogenicity of Mycoplasma gallisepticum and the immunogenicity of its membrane proteins in geese

Xueyan Wang; Baoyi Deng; Ming Li; Weihuo Li; Yangshuo Li; Sheng Yuan; Nan Zhang

doi:10.2478/jvetres-2026-0031

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Assessment of the pathogenicity of Mycoplasma gallisepticum and the immunogenicity of its membrane proteins in geese

Journal of Veterinary Research

Volume 70 (2026): Issue 2 (June 2026)

By: Xueyan Wang , Baoyi Deng , Ming Li , Weihuo Li , Yangshuo Li , Sheng Yuan and Nan Zhang

Open Access

|Jun 2026

Abstract

Introduction

Mycoplasma gallisepticum (MG) imposes heavy losses on the goose industry in China, yet its goose-specific biology is poorly understood. In elucidation of the biology, the pathogenicity and immunogenicity of MG in geese were analysed.

Material and Methods

Goslings were divided into three groups and either infected with the goose isolate MG-GD01/22, infected with chicken-derived MG R(low) or left untreated as controls. Clinical scores were recorded, and morbidity/mortality, air-sac lesions and tracheal and lung histopathology evaluated. Isolate membrane proteins were separated by SDS-PAGE and screened by Western blot with goose hyper-immune sera.

Results

Both MG-GD01/22 and MG R(low) established infection, with morbidity rates of 90% and 80% and qPCR positivity of 100% and 80%, respectively. The MG-GD01/22 isolate caused 20% mortality and more severe respiratory signs, whereas MG R(low) induced milder disease without deaths. Both strains produced airsacculitis and interstitial pneumonia, but MG-GD01/22 caused more marked pulmonary haemorrhage. Gel electrophoresis showed similar bands at 50–130 kDa with differences at 25–50 kDa. Western blot revealed strong immune responses to conserved 75 kDa and 67 kDa proteins, particularly those of MG-GD01/22.

Conclusion

Both strains are pathogenic in geese, with MG-GD01/22 exhibiting higher virulence. The conserved 75 kDa and 67 kDa proteins represent promising targets for the development of diagnostic assays and vaccines against Mycoplasma gallisepticum infection in geese.

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Articles in this issue

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/jvetres-2026-0031 | Journal eISSN: 2450-8608

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Language: English

Page range: 201 - 208

Submitted on: Nov 7, 2025

Accepted on: Jun 24, 2026

Published on: Jun 30, 2026

Published by: National Veterinary Research Institute in Pulawy

In partnership with: Paradigm Publishing Services

Keywords:

Mycoplasma gallisepticum,

Mycoplasma membrane proteins,

Mycoplasma pathogenicity

Related subjects:

Microbiology and virology,

Life sciences,

Life sciences, other

© 2026 Xueyan Wang, Baoyi Deng, Ming Li, Weihuo Li, Yangshuo Li, Sheng Yuan, Nan Zhang, published by National Veterinary Research Institute in Pulawy
This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.

Volume 70 (2026): Issue 2 (June 2026)