JMM Profile: Salmonella enterica serovar Gallinarum, biovars Pullorum and Gallinarum

Abstract

Salmonella serovar Gallinarum has two distinct biovars, Pullorum and Gallinarum. They are host-adapted avian pathogens that infect a number of wild and domesticated species but they pose a particular threat to farmed and backyard chickens and turkeys. Both biovars cause invasive and septicaemic disease, often resulting in high mortality. Pullorum is transmitted in eggs and typically affects birds soon after hatch. Gallinarum may cause disease in any age of bird, which often progresses through mature flocks. The establishment of clean breeding stock has resulted in freedom from the pathogens in many countries although even in these territories sporadic incursions still occur.

The Role of Birds in Salmonellosis

“…S. Gallinarum has two biovars, Pullorum and Gallinarum, both of which cause severe disease in poultry but with different transmission dynamics. This study underscores the importance of clean breeding practices for controlling this pathogen, though sporadic outbreaks still occur even in countries with stringent control measures [16].…”

“…Wales and Lawes [16] focused on Salmonella Gallinarum, a serovar that specifically affects avian species like such as chickens and turkeys. This serovar causes invasive and septicemic diseases, often leading to high mortality rates.…”

Genome degradation promotes Salmonella pathoadaptation by remodeling fimbriae-mediated proinflammatory response

“…It remains unknown if the modification of the surface appendages could play a role in bacterial pathogenic behavior. Salmonella enterica serovar Gallinarum, an avian-restricted serovar, includes two common variants or biovars, Pullorum (causing Pullorum disease) and Gallinarum (causing fowl typhoid), resulting in devastating damage and economic loss in developing countries, including China [ 25–29 ], where increasing antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in these strains has become a significant concern [ 30–34 ]. Notably, Salmonella enterica serovar Gallinarum biovar Pullorum (bvSP) has a strong preference for affecting newly hatched chicks; in contrast, biovar Gallinarum (bvSG) mainly causes lethal diseases in adult birds [ 35 ].…”