Cryptosporidium baileyi and Mycoplasma synoviae co-infection enhances M. synoviae colonization and aggravates tissue damage in chickens

IntroductionMycoplasma synoviae (M. synoviae) is an economically significant pathogen that causes respiratory infections, synovitis, and arthritis in chickens, inflicting substantial economic losses on the global poultry industry. Its frequent co-infection with other respiratory pathogens, often exacerbates the resultant pathogenic damage. As an important respiratory pathogen, it remains unclear whether Cryptosporidium baileyi (C. baileyi) can cause co-infection with M. synoviae in commercial la