Serotypes of Pasteurella haemolytica from the respiratory tract of sheep in New Zealand

Authors: Prince DV, Clarke JK, Alley MR
Publication: New Zealand Veterinary Journal, Volume 33, Issue 5, pp 76-77, May 1985
Publisher: Taylor and Francis

Animal type: Livestock, Production animal, Ruminant, Sheep
Subject Terms: Bacterial, Clinical pathology, Diagnostic procedures, Notifiable organisms/exotic disease, Disease/defect, Infectious disease, Pneumonia/pleurisy, Respiratory system
Article class: Correspondence

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Abstract: Pasteurella haemolytica is associated with both acute and chronic forms of pneumonia of sheep in New Zealand. On the basis of its capsular polysaccharide the organism is divided into 15 serotypes and there is evidence that immunity is mainly type-specific although antigens other than the capsule may also be important. Pasteurella vaccines are available commercially in some countries including the USA and the UK. To make a vaccine specifically intended for sheep in New Zealand it is desirable to establish which serotypes are present in the country, the prevalence of each and the relative importance of each serotype as a disease-producing agent. This communication describes a limited survey of the P. haemolytica serotypes recovered from the nasal cavity and lungs of sheep in the southern part of the North Island of New Zealand. Fifteen prototype strains of the P. haemolytica serotypes were obtained from ICI-Tasman Laboratories, Upper Hutt. Typing antisera were produced in rabbits, but in some cases the rabbits failed to respond and with these serotypes antisera was produced in domestic fowl. Nasal isolates were obtained by swabbing the nasal tract of sheep of four flocks. Flocks 1 and 2 were in the Manawatu and Wairarapa districts respectively…

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