Haemophilus avium, a New Species from Chickens

Abstract

Twelve Haemophilus strains (previously designated group II strains by Hinz) from chickens and of uncertain taxonomic position and 29 H. paragallinarum strains were investigated. The findings indicate the existence of a hitherto unknown species, for which the name H. avium sp. nov. is proposed. The main characters which differentiate H. avium from H. paragallinarum are as follows: all of the H. avium but none of the H. paragallinarum strains tested produce catalase, alkaline phosphatase and .alpha.-glucosidase, acidify galactose and trehalose, and do not require serum for optimal growth. Most of the H. avium strains produce yellow pigment, grow aerobically and do not require CO2 for optimal growth. In further contrast to H. paragallinarum, none of the H. avium strains are able to cause infectious coryza of chickens. The type strain of H. avium is IPDH 2654 (= ATCC 29546).