Salmonella strains were isolated from ill and shedding birds in several regions of Brazil between 1962 and 1991. Serotyping of 2123 isolates showed 90 serovars pertaining to 14 serogroups. There was a predominance of groups O:9 (40.0%), O:4 (33.3%), O:7 (10.6%) and O:3,10 (6.7%). Major serovar diversity was found to serogroup O:7 that accounted for 22 different types, followed by serogroups O:4, O:3,10 and O:9 with 19, 15 and 10 serotypes respectively. An average of 10.8 serovars was isolated per year. S. Gallinarum, S. Pullorum, S. Typhimurium, S. Heidelberg, S. Enteritidis and S. Infantis were the most frequent serovars found over the 30 years, representing 65% to 67% of the total of isolates. Bacteriological and epidemiological aspects concerning a number of serotypes are discussed.
Birds; Salmonella; prevalence; serogroups; serovars
