Most Salmonella Abortusequi strains of equine origin harbor a 95kb plasmid, pSA95. Results of PCR and Southern blot analysis suggest that pSA95 contains spv genes. A pSA95-cured strain of S. Abortusequi was 48 times less virulent to mice than its parental strain. Virulence was restored by reintroduction of pSA95. These results provide clear evidence that pSA95 confers virulence on S. Abortusequi in mice. This is the first report describing a virulence plasmid of S. Abortusequi. The proof of this plasmid is useful for the identification of the organism. (Lab. of Zoonoses, Department of Feed Safety TEL +81-298-38-7816)
References:
Akiba, M. et al.: Salmonella Abortusequi strains of equine origin harbor a 95kb plasmid responsible for virulence in mice. Vet. Microbiol., 68: 265-272 (1999)
