Species identification and serotyping (capsular antigen) of Pasteurella strains from sheep flocks in south Germany and in Syria.
135 Pasteurella strains were cultivated from nasal swabs of sheep as well as pneumonic lungs of dead and slaughtered sheep. The specimen originated from 41 flocks in South Germany and from 15 flocks and 60 slaughter sheep in Syria (Hama region). Serovariety A2 prevailed amongst P. haemolytica strains (6) isolated in South Germany (53 strains) and in Syria (41 strains). In addition 10 further serovarieties were identified in South Germany (next frequent were A8, A1 and A6) and 7 in Syria. Untypable strains appeared to be more frequent in Syria. Other Pasteurellae (17) represented 1/4 of isolates in Syria and 1/3 of isolates in South Germany. Species identification resulted in P. multocida ssp. multocida (25), P. multocida ssp. septica (4 strains, Syria only), P. canis (3 strains, South Germany only) and Pasteurella-like strains (9 strains). Twelve P. multocida ssp. multocida strains carried capsular antigen D and 7 capsular antigen A. In most cases where multiple samples were examined from one flock, strains with different capsular antigens and/or belonging to different Pasteurella species were isolated (max. 8).
Distribution of Indole-Producing Urease-Negative Pasteurellas in Animals
Three hundred fifty-six animal isolates of indole-positive urease-negative cultures of Pasteurella, which would formerly have been classified as P. multocida, were examined with respect to their relationship to the recently described P. multocida subspecies (ssp.) multocida, septica, and gallicida and P. canis, P. stomatisl Taxon 16, and Pasteurella sp. B. Two hundred sixty-three (73.9%) of the cultures could be identified with one of these taxa, and 93 isolates (26.1%), representing 17 different biotypes, were unassignable. Pasteurella multocida ssp. multocida was the predominant taxon throughout and in most of the 25 animal species from which isolations were made. In dogs, P. canis was the most frequent. Different degrees of host predilection were observed also in P. multocida ssp. septica for cats, P. canis for sheep, and 2 of the unassignable biotypes for cattle and dogs, respectively. Overall, the respiratory tract was the most frequent source of isolates, but a propensity of P. multocida ssp. septica for localization in the central nervous system of cats was noted.
Ovine systemic pasteurellosis caused by Pasteurella haemolytica biotype T.
A detailed study was made of lambs aged 5--7 months naturally infected with Pasteurella haemolytica biotype T. In addition to the well known features of such infections, previously unreported necrotic lesions of the tonsil, oesophagus, pharynx and adjacent areas were consistently seen. Large numbers of P. haemolytica were present in the tonsil, oesophageal lesions, lung, liver and spleen, but few or none in other tissues. The evidence indicated that the disease was not a true septicaemia. It is postulated that P. haemolytica biotype T already present in the tonsils multiplies and invades the adjacent tissues of the upper alimentary tract; groups of organisms from this site enter the blood stream as emboli, most of which lodge in the capillary beds of the lung and liver; rapid multiplication of organisms in these tissues leads to death from the effects of endotoxin.