PHENOTYPIC CHARACTERIZATION OF ZIMBABWEAN ISOLATES OF PASTEURELLA-MULTOCIDA

The phenotypic characteristics of 60 Zimbabwean isolates of Pasteurell a multocida sensu stricto, from disease syndromes in different host sp ecies were studied. A number of representative strains were also serot yped. Consistent results were obtained in the tests for; catalase, oxi dase, urease, indole, acid in glucose, inositol, salicin and sucrose. There was no obvious relationship between serotype, host or disease an d the pattern of utilization of certain substrates by an isolate. This has been discussed in the context of recent proposals to reclassify P asteurella and P. multocida on genotypic and phenotypic studies. It is suggested that notwithstanding the relevance of genetic studies in ci rcumscribing P. multocida, the phenotype and disease significance of t he taxon should not be ignored. A case of bronchitis in a dog which wa s simultaneously colonized by three different strains of Pasteurella i s described. Also septicaemic pasteurellosis in a Nile crocodile (Croc odylus niloticus) is reported and for the first time prevalence of var ious serotypes in pasteurellosis of animals in Zimbabwe.