Emergence of an SGI1-bearing Salmonella enterica serotype Kentucky isolated from septic poultry in Nigeria.

INTRODUCTION Salmonella enterica serotype Kentucky was isolated from septic poultry in Nigeria. The objective of this study was to characterize this isolate by screening for SGI1 and hyper-virulence. METHODOLOGY The strain was characterized by identification of Salmonella genomic island 1 (SGI1) through a PCR assay and we used a tissue culture invasion assay to assess protozoa-mediated hyper-invasion. RESULTS Salmonella genomic island 1 (SGI1) was identified in the strain along with an SGI1 gene (SO13) implicated in hyper-virulence. Protozoa-mediated hyper-invasiveness was also documented in the strain. CONCLUSION The hyper-invasion is concordant with this emerging strain's ability to cause fowl paratyphoid.