Differentiation of Salmonella senftenberg into biogroups

Central Veterinary Research Institute, Lusaka, Zambia.

Ninety-six strains of Salmonella senftenberg, isolated between 1984 and 1986 from different parts of England and Wales, were tested for their biochemical reactions and biotyped according to the method of Duguid and others (1975). Nine biogroups were identified on the basis of their metabolism of L-tartrate, D-tartrate, Bitter's xylose and Stern's glycerol. In addition, fumaric, oxalic, succinic, glutaric, malonic, maleic, L-malic, L-aspartic, lactic and formic acids were used but did not increase the discrimination. Three biogroups (7, 2 and 5) accounted for 79 per cent of the cultures examined.