Phage-typing results of Staphylococcus aureus isolated from poultry in Japan and Europe

Phage typing was performed on 795 strains of Staphylococcus aureus isolated from poultry, a turkey, pigeons, and birds of prey in Japan and 4 countries in Europe, using the avian phage set of typing phages plus 6 others. Six hundred and seventy-three (89.1%) of 755 strains from poultry were typable by one or more of the phages, 617 strains at routine test dilution (RTD) and 56 strains at 100 RTD. Of these typable strains, 494 (73.4%) belonged to group I, 90 (13.4%) to group II, 50 (7.4%) to group III, 29 (4.3%) to group IV, and 10 (1.5%) to mixed types. There was no significant relation between staphylococcal phage types and the origin of the strains, such as types of disease. Type I strains were commonly found in staphylococci isolated from poultry farms regardless of districts or countries, and thus they were considered to be distributed widely among poultry in Japan and Europe. On the other hand, type III or IV strains were obtained from very limited farms or areas. Four (66.7%) of 6 strains of S. aureus isolated from birds of prey were typed by the additional phage CH39 at RTD. None of 33 pigeon and 1 turkey strain was sensitive to any of the avian phages used.