Genotypic analysis of Salmonella Gallinarum and Salmonella Pullorum strains isolated from laying hens

Ten Salmonella Gallinarum and six Salmonella Pullorum strains isolated from laying hens were analysed by genotypic typing methods including ERIC-PCR, REP-PCR and amplification of 16S-23S spacer region by PCR. Analysis of DNA banding patterns generated by ERIC-PCR revealed the presence of 4 different genotypes in the case of S. Gallinarum isolates and 3 in the case of S. Pu llorum isolates. They were grouped by dendrogram analysis into 3 distinct l ineages. Strains of S. Gallinarum analysed by REP-PCR generated 8 DNA patte rns, and strains of S. Pullorum gave 4 different profiles of DNA. In both c ases, these isolates could be divided into 2 distinct genomic groups by the ir REP-PCR fingerprints. ERIC- and REP-PCR were found to be more discrimina tory for typing of S. Gallinarum and S. Pullorum than PCR-amplification of 16S-23S rDNA spacer region. With this method, 2 and 3 different profiles of DNA were obtained, respectively, for S. Gallinarum and S. Pullorum isolate s. They were subdivided in 2 related groups by dendrogram analysis. In summ ary, data obtained by genotyping methods for Salmonella Gallinarum and Salm onella Pullorum isolates from regions located in south-west part of Poland revealed close phylogenetic relationships between strains belonging to S. G allinarum and S. Pullorum biovars, and proved that ERIC- and REP-PCR are hi ghly discriminatory techniques useful for epidemiological evalution.