Pathogenicity of Salmonella pullorum in northern bobwhite quail and mallard ducks

Ten-day-old northern bobwhite quail and mallard ducks were inoculated orally and intravenously with Salmonella pullorum at selected concentrations (10(3) to 10(10) colony-forming units). Mortality in bobwhites ranged from 65% to 100%, whereas no mallards died or exhibited any signs of morbidity. Significantly (P less than 0.05) increased values for serum calcium, uric acid, and lactate dehydrogenase were observed in mallards inoculated with live S. pullorum, and antibody titers were detected as early as 1 week postinoculation. Viable bacteria were cultured from feces, liver, lungs, heart, kidneys, pancreas, and spleen of bobwhites and from livers of four mallards. Bacterial colonies were frequently found in the capillaries of various organs of the quail, particularly in the heart and kidneys, with slight-to-moderate diffuse or multifocal necrotizing inflammation present in all organs examined. Bobwhites are susceptible to infection from S. pullorum, with morbidity and mortality rates similar to those of chicks and poults, whereas mallards undergo a short, subclinical infection that is resolved without lasting tissue damage.