STUDIES ON THE MODE OF SPREAD OF B. ENTERITIDIS MOUSE TYPHOID INFECTION : I. NATIVE EPIDEMICITY

Area of Science:

• Veterinary Microbiology
• Infectious Diseases
• Rodent Health

Background:

• Mouse typhoid, caused by Salmonella enterica subspecies, is a significant concern in laboratory animal populations.
• Understanding the prevalence and types of causative agents is crucial for disease control and research integrity.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the presence and types of mouse typhoid bacilli in mice from various sources.
• To determine the predominant colony morphology of these bacteria in infected rodents.

Main Methods:

• Testing of thirteen mouse batches from nine different sources for Salmonella enterica subspecies.
• Isolation and identification of bacterial types (e.g., Salmonella enteritidis, Salmonella paratyphi B).
• Colony morphology analysis (smooth vs. rough types).

Main Results:

• Infection with Salmonella enterica subspecies was confirmed in mice from nine of the nine sources.
• Salmonella enteritidis was identified in nine groups, Salmonella paratyphi B in four, and both in one group.
• Smooth colony types were predominant, observed in all but two of the infected groups.

Conclusions:

• Smooth colony types of Salmonella enterica subspecies are prevalent in rodent typhoid infections.
• These findings align with previous research on the epidemiology of mouse typhoid.
• The study highlights the widespread presence of these pathogens in diverse mouse populations.