A Serological Variant of Salmonella aertrycke Isolated from Pigeons.

The occurrence of Salmonella aertrycke in diseases of pigeons has been noted by a number of workers. Recently Jungherr and Wilcox (1934) and Black (1935) have reported the isolation from pigeons of variants of S. aertrycke which were atypical in their action on maltose. Among cultures isolated from the same flock were found organisms which caused a prompt production of acid and gas from the sugar, organisms which produced a slight acidity after prolonged incubation, and organisms which apparently did not ferment maltose. The writer has isolated organisms closely resembling the strains of Jungherr and Wilcox and of Black from pigeons. Unfortunately, only two cultures of paratyphoid bacilli were isolated from the infected flock, since no further specimens were submitted. It was also impossible to obtain any history of the disease in this flock. The two pigeons from which paratyphoid bacilli were isolated had died of the disease. They were greatly emaciated and were said by the owner to have been ill for some time. Petechial hemorrhages and congested areas were observed on the hearts and multiple small white areas of degeneration in the livers. Paratyphoid bacilli were isolated from the heart, liver and spleen of both birds. The present paper is a report of a biochemical and serological study of the cultures isolated by the writer, and of cultures obtained through the courtesy of Dr. Jungherr and Dr. Black.