Genetic diversity of <i>Gallibacterium</i> isolates from California turkeys

International audienceThe aim of the present study was to investigate the genetic diversity of Gallibacterium isolates recovered from lesions in turkeys. Gallibacterium has been isolated from various bird species including turkeys, yet no larger investigations have been made to characterise Gallibacterium isolates from turkeys genetically. In the present investigation we genotyped 53 Gallibacterium isolates from turkeys, whereof 50 originated from 29 different flocks in California and the remaining three came from three German turkey flocks. The isolates were obtained during 1998 to 2004. All isolates where recovered from birds with lesions being mainly in the upper respiratory tract. Five chicken isolates from California and five Gallibacterium reference strains were also characterized. Amplified fragment length polymorphism analysis was used to assess the genotypic diversity among the isolates. A substantial genetic diversity was found among the Gallibacterium isolates. However, we also demonstrated that some Gallibacterium clones were present in consecutive rotations at the same farm during the entire six year observation period and were present in different flocks from different farms. Similarly, the same clone was identified from two of the three German flocks. In conclusion, some turkey associated Gallibacterium clones seems to be disseminated widely among turkey flocks and at least in one case in a chicken flock. Furthermore, some clones persist in farms between rotations. Further details characterizing the spread of Gallibacterium between turkey flocks including infections acquired from chickens or wild birds should be investigated in the future