M gallisepticum is commonly involved in the polymicrobial "chronic
respiratory disease" of chickens; in turkeys, it frequently results
in swollen infraorbital sinues and is called "infectious
sinusitis." These diseases affect chickens and turkeys worldwide,
causing the most significant economic losses in large commercial
operations, and are commonly seen in noncommercial flocks.
Infection also occurs in pheasants, chukar partridges, peafowl,
pigeons, quail, ducks, geese, and psittacine birds. Songbirds are
generally resistant, although M gallisepticum causes conjunctivitis
in wild house finches (and some similar species) in North
America.
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