An outbreak of Salmonella enteritidis infection in pygmy hogs (Sus salvanius)

An outbreak of salmonellosis was recorded in captive pygmy hogs (Sus salvan ius), a critically endangered species of mammal. Of 42 captive animals main tained for conservation breeding by the Pygmy Hog Conservation Programme, G uwahati, Assam, India, 7 (16.67%) died within 3 days. The organism associat ed with this outbreak was identified as Salmonella enteritidis. The organis ms were highly susceptible to chloramphenicol, gentamicin, norfloxacin and cefotaxim but were resistant to ampicillin, oxytetracycline, mezlocillin an d sulfamerazin. The strain belonged to phage type 13a/7 and harboured two p lasmids (38 and 44 megadaltons). The organisms were enterotoxigenic in CHO cell assay and were found to carry stn, sef and pef genes.