Epidemiology of pullorum disease and characteristics of Salmonella pullorum isolates in Korea

국내 추백리 발생역학 및 감염계로부터 분리한 Salmonella pullorum의 특성

Pullorum disease caused by Salmonella pullorum, has been considered as one of the most important diseases in both clinically and economically in poultry industry since it had been firstly reported in 1925 in Korea. This disease is still problem in the industry in this country even though several attempts have been made to eradicate the disease. As one of the trials to solve the problem, we investigated the pattern of the outbreak of the disease, isolated the causative agent, S pullorum and tested biochemical properties, antimicrobial susceptibility and plasmid profiles of the isolates. Outbreak of the disease based on the species was the highest in layer followed by in Korean native chick, and broiler. Daily mean mortality in vertical transmission (0.90%) was higher than that in horizontal (0.14%). There was no seasonal difference in the outbreak. Also, biochemical properties and antimicrobial susceptibility pattern of the isolates were same. However four different plasmid profiles of the isolates were observed. These results suggested that S pullorum isolates were different in the genotype while they were same in phenotypes.