Capsular serogroups of Pasteurella multocida isolated from animals in Zimbabwe

Pasteurella multocida is isolated from a variety of disease conditions from different animal species in our diagnostic laboratory. In order to determi ne serogroup distribution among the isolates, an indirect haemagglutination test using glutaraldehyde-fixed sheep red blood cells was employed. A sero logical examination of 79 isolates revealed that 47/79 were of capsular ser ogroup A, 11/79 capsular serogroup D, 4/79 capsular serogroup B and 17/79 w ere untypable strains. None of the isolates belonged to either serogroup E or F. All those from cases of classical pasteurellosis could be grouped, bu t a significantly high proportion of those which originated from companion animals were untypable. The significance of these results is discussed. Thi s report appears to be the first detailed information on the prevalence of various serogroups of Fl multocida in animals in southern Africa.