PROTEIN-PATTERNS OF PASTEURELLA-MULTOCIDA STRAINS IN RELATION TO ANIMAL HOST AND GEOGRAPHICAL SITE OF ISOLATION

Protein patterns from 681 Pasteurella multocida strains of different a nimal species and distinct geographical regions were analyzed by PAGE. We found 9 protein types taking the most intense band as reference. T his band represents a protein of the outer membrane (OMP). In assignin g the strains to protein types a relation to animal hosts of the strai ns was established. The majority of isolates from rabbits (88%) belong s to type P6, which is not found in strains isolated from cattle or pi gs. Strains from pigs did not include the protein types P-2, P-4 and P -8, in cattle strains type P-9 was absent. The distribution of protein types in bovine isolates was shown to be related to the geographical location. The results are discussed with particular emphasis on immuno -prophylaxis. It appears promising to develop P. m. vaccines specific for certain animal species.