When is the pathogenic microorganism Mycoplasma pulmonis, more likely to cause disease?

When is the pathogenic microorganism Mycoplasma pulmonis, more likely to cause disease?

• A. When air levels of carbon dioxide are high
• B. When air levels of ammonia are high
• C. When air levels of oxygen are low
• D. When the temperature decreases rapidly in a short period

Answer: (B)

High ammonia in the housing air is most likely to allow disease from Mycoplasma pulmonis. Ammonia produced from urine and waste irritates the nasal and airway mucosa and impairs mucociliary clearance. When these defenses are compromised, respiratory pathogens like Mycoplasma pulmonis can colonize and cause disease more readily. This is especially relevant in small mammals such as rodents, where chronic respiratory disease is common and environmental irritants can worsen it. Other factors like elevated carbon dioxide, reduced oxygen, or rapid drops in temperature are stressful to animals in general and can degrade overall well-being, but they do not specifically promote Mycoplasma pulmonis disease to the same extent as ammonia irritation of the respiratory tract.

High ammonia in the housing air is most likely to allow disease from Mycoplasma pulmonis. Ammonia produced from urine and waste irritates the nasal and airway mucosa and impairs mucociliary clearance. When these defenses are compromised, respiratory pathogens like Mycoplasma pulmonis can colonize and cause disease more readily. This is especially relevant in small mammals such as rodents, where chronic respiratory disease is common and environmental irritants can worsen it.

Other factors like elevated carbon dioxide, reduced oxygen, or rapid drops in temperature are stressful to animals in general and can degrade overall well-being, but they do not specifically promote Mycoplasma pulmonis disease to the same extent as ammonia irritation of the respiratory tract.