multocida isolates obtained from emu (Dromaius novaehollandiae) in

A total of 168 samples (bone marrow, lung tissue, liver and blood clot) were collected from 42 dead emus suspected to have died from fowl cholera. Samples were subjected for cultural isolation on blood agar. Of these, a total of 22 isolates of Pasteurella spp. were isolated and characterized biochemically and identifi ed as P. multocida by PCR. Isolates were later tested for capsular type by multiplex PCR assay and all were found to be of capsular type A. This is the fi rst report on the isolation, identifi cation and molecular characterization of P. multocida from emu in the state of Gujarat, India. This study has revealed that emus are also susceptible to P. multocida (fowl cholera) and can act as a potential carrier of the organism. Key words: Pasteurella multocida, emu, PCR, capsular typing, fowl cholera_______________________________________________________________________________________