Actinobacilli in domestic fowl.

Reports on haemolytic rods from salpingitis in hens and from organs of died chicks may be found since the year 1950 (Kjos-Hanssen). Correct systematic classification on these microorganisms is still lacked because not all relations to the nearest pasteurellae were known as well as the clear differences in the Pasteurella-Actinobacillus group. The authors have isolated 34 suspected strains from 14 localities; 25 strains were from salpingitis or internal organs of died fowl inclusively chicks, and 9 strains from choanas of pullets clinically healthy. Bacteriological, serological, chemical and biological tests gave the results as follows: 1) All strains exhibit fundamental properties of Pasteurella-Actinobacillus group, and moreover, they show ability to grow on MacConkey agar with crystal violet (BioQuest) being a significant feature of the genus Actinobaccillus (Mráz, 1975). 2) From the nearest species Actinobacillus haemolyticus (Newsom and Cross, 1932) Mráz, 1969, they differ with expressive haemolysis on agar with sheep blood, single haemolytic zone on agar with lamb blood according to Smith (1962), structure of somatic antigen, with natural hosts (gallinaceous birds) and pathogenicity for 5-day-old chicks. The GC content in DNA was determined in the range 39,6-42,9% (mean value 41,5%). 3) The first who presumed an independent state of these microorganisms, was Kohlert (1968), from the work of which the epithet for correct name, i.e. Actinobacillus salpingitidis (Kohlert, 1968) comb. nov., was accepted.