Emergence of an SGI1-bearing Salmonella enterica serotype Kentucky isolated from septic poultry in Nigeria.

INTRODUCTION: Salmonella enterica serotype Kentucky was isolated from septic poultry in Nigeria. The objective of this study was to characterize this isolate by screening for SGI1 and hyper-virulence. METHODOLOGY: The strain was characterized by identification of Salmonella genomic island 1 (SGI1) through a PCR assay and we used a tissue culture invasion assay to assess protozoa-mediated hyper-invasion. RESULTS: Salmonella genomic island 1 (SGI1) was identified in the strain along with an SGI1 gene (SO13) implicated in hyper-virulence. Protozoa-mediated hyper-invasiveness was also documented in the strain. CONCLUSION: The hyper-invasion is concordant with this emerging strain's ability to cause fowl paratyphoid.