What effect can high levels of ammonia have in the presence of Mycoplasma pulmonis?

High levels of ammonia can have a significant negative impact on the health of animals, particularly in the presence of Mycoplasma pulmonis, a common respiratory pathogen in rodents. Ammonia is a toxic compound that can cause a variety of physiological problems, particularly affecting the respiratory system. When ammonia levels are elevated, the respiratory epithelium can become damaged, leading to increased susceptibility to infections and other respiratory diseases caused by opportunistic pathogens like Mycoplasma pulmonis.

In this context, the presence of high ammonia levels may exacerbate the disease processes associated with Mycoplasma pulmonis, leading to more severe clinical signs and increased mortality. The combination of ammonia toxicity and Mycoplasma infection can create a detrimental cycle that significantly impacts animal health.

The other options do not accurately reflect the consequences of high ammonia levels in this scenario, as they do not connect the toxic effects of ammonia with its potential to worsen disease pathology caused by the Mycoplasma bacterium.