An outbreak of fatal Pullorum disease (Salmonella Pullorum) in Guinea fowl keets (Numida meleagris)

ABSTRACT: Pullorum disease is described worldwide and caused by Salmonella enterica subspecies serovar Gallinarum biovar (S. Pullorum). S. infection important in commercial poultry, provoking a systemic with high mortality rates. Its occurrence requires notification, when it diagnosed breeding flocks, its eradication demanded. The aim of this study was to report severe outbreak young Guinea fowl (Numida meleagris), resulting 100% keets (n=290) within the first two weeks age. All examined had enlarged liver, kidneys spleen (5/5), affected tissues were submitted histological bacteriological examination. On histopathology, random paratyphoid nodules characterized areas necrosis fibrin moderate infiltrate macrophages heterophils observed liver. In kidneys, discrete associated multifocal infiltrates lymphocytes, plasma cells observed. spleen, noticed. Isolation colonies suggestive from liver performed selective agars and, after biochemical tests, confirmed specific duplex-PCR. antimicrobial susceptibility test isolated strain revealed resistance only sulfamethoxazole + trimethoprim among tested antimicrobials. isolate recovered present highly pathogenic N. meleagris may represent risk other avian species, including industrial poultry.