DNA fingerprint analysis of standard, intermediate, and variant antigenic types of Salmonella enterica subspecies enterica serovar Gallinarum biovar pullorum.

DNA fingerprint profiles and antigenic types of 150 Salmonella enterica serovar Gallinarum biovar pullorum field isolates and seven reference strains were evaluated. Field isolates were submitted to the National Veterinary Services Laboratories (NVSL), Ames, Iowa, between Oct. 1, 1990, and Aug. 20, 1991. Three antigenic types (standard [n = 96], intermediate [n = 50], and variant [n = 4]) were identified among the field isolates. The NciI fingerprint profiles of all field isolates were identical. Differentiation of field isolates was observed by digestion of DNA with HpaII; three profiles were recognized. One HpaII profile (designated SP HpaII 001) was common among 144 isolates (standard, n = 90; intermediate, n = 50; and variant, n = 4); the remaining six pullorum standard type isolates were equally dispersed between two HpaII profiles (designated SP HpaII 002 and 003). Three antigenic types were identified among the seven reference strains (reference strains 11, 17, 19, and 20 [standard]; reference strain 4 [intermediate]; reference strains 79 and 296 [variant]). One NciI profile was recognized; two HpaII profiles were observed. Six reference strains (11, 17, 19, 20, 79, and 296) had profile SP HpaII 001, and reference strain 4 had profile SP HpaII 002. No correlations were established between DNA fingerprints and antigenic types.