Isolation and molecular characterization of Pasteurella multocida isolates of buffaloes

Pasteurella multocida is a Gram negative bacterial pathogen associated with Haemorrhagic septicemia (HS) in cattle and buffaloes. A total of 196 samples were collected from buffaloes over a period of one year in Krishna district of Andhra Pradesh for the purpose of isolation of Pasteurella multocida. Among the 196 samples 23 were found positive by molecular test, where as only 16 isolates of P. multocida were recovered and identified by using cultural, biochemical and molecular tests. Capsular typing of these isolates by multiplex PCR revealed two capsular types (A and B). Among these Cap A was common (87.5%) and was isolated from tonsil samples of apparently healthy animals, whereas the Cap B isolates (12.5%) were obtained from HS suspected cases. The results of this study implied the application of molecular tests in the diagnosis as well as typing of P. multocida organisms.