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Preliminary Report on Isolation of Morganella Morganii from Fatal Infections of Chickens in Kaduna State, Nigeria
Authors: Paul Habila Mamman1*, Haruna Makanjuola Kazeem1, Mashood Abiola Raji1, Andrew Jonathan Nok3, Jacob Kwada Paghi Kwaga2
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A two-year study was carried out between February 2011 and January, 2013 to isolate and characterize Salmonella from cases of suspected fowl typhoid and Pullorum disease in chickens in Kaduna, Nigeria. Morganella morganii was isolated in pure culture from many of the fatal cases suspected to be fowl typhoid or Pullorum disease. Morganella morganii, a Gram-negative rod commonly found in the intestines of humans and other animals, was isolated in fatal infections in chickens by culture, isolation and biochemical characterization using conventional means and commercial kits (Microbact® GNB 24E and api®NH). Biochemical tests revealed that the isolates were positive for: catalase, nitrate, citrate, urease, methyl red, and indole; and negative for oxidase and Voges Proskauer; they were fermenters on Oxidative-fermentative test. Some important pathologic lesions noticed in birds at post mortem included: enlarged and congested spleen, enlarged congested and friable liver with areas of necrosis, congested lungs; congested, mis-shapened and regressed ovaries. Experimental infection of chickens with the organism is hereby recommended. There is also the need for further characterization of isolates to determine the strains and antibiotic resistance genes.
Keywords: Morganella morganii, Chicken, Kits, Biochemical tests.