Detection of Mycoplasma spp. in free-living seabirds

This study aimed to investigate the presence of Mycoplasma spp. and identify the species of mycoplasma isolates obtained from seabirds found on Brazilian coastal beaches. Tracheal and cloacal swab samples were collected from 50 seabirds rescued by three conservation and marine animal rehabilitation centers located in Brazil. The tracheal and cloacal samples were subjected to mycoplasma culture and the isolates were identified through PCR. A "Mollicutes-specific" 16S rRNA PCR reaction was employed for triage. Four species-specific PCR reactions were used to detect Mycoplasma gallisepticum, Mycoplasma synoviae, Mycoplasma meleagridis, or M. gallinarum. The Mollicutes positive and species negative samples were submitted do 16S rRNA sequencing. Eighteen (36