Biochemical Characteristics and In-Vitro Drug Sensitivity of Salmonella typhimurium, Copenhagen Variety Isolated from Domestic and Feral Pigeons, Crows, a Kite, Chickens and Animals in Japan

Abstract

Salmonella typhimurium, Copenhagen variety was isolated from 13 domestic pigeons (Columba livia domestica) of 4 pigeonries in which clinical salmonellosis occurred during the period of 1970 to 1975. Of 58 composite fecal samples collected from feral pigeons (Columba livia domestica) in 13 districts of Honshu and Hokkaido in 1975 and 1976, 12 (20.7%) from 3 districts gave the same antigenic form. The antigenic form was also isolated from the tissues of 2 (1.8%) feral pigeons (Columba livia domestica) caught at one site among a total of 110 feral pigeons (80 Columba livia domestica and 30 Streptopelia orientalis orientalis) caught in 3 districts of Hokkaido in 1976. No Salmonella other than S. typhimurium, Copenhagen variety was obtained from pigeons. These isolates fermented maltose, and belonged to biovar 10 [2]. All the isolates from feral pigeons and most of those from domestic pigeons showed in-vitro drug sensitivity. S. typhimurium, Copenhagen variety having the same characteristics was isolated from animals, chickens and wild birds, though the antigenic form originating from hosts other than pigeons was drug resistant with variable frequencies, and different biovars were found in some hosts. This appears to indicate that pigeons have a role in the epizootiology of salmonellosis in animals and birds in Japan.