The aim of this study was to define the usefulness of phenotypic determinants used in routine diagnostics and selected genotypic markers for identification and pathogenicity designation of Salmonella spp. strains isolated from animals. Five strains isolated from internal organs of pigs, pigeons and chinchillas, in which salmonellosis was initially recognized, were analyzed. Conventional diagnostic media were used for isolation and differentiation of Salmonella spp. strains. Serological identification of these strains was done using latex test and slide agglutination method. Three swine isolates were classified as Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica serovar Choleraesuis (6.7:c:1.5. serological group C₁) and two strains isolated from pigeons and chinchillas as Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica serovar Enteritidis (9:g.m:-, serological group D). Biochemical features of the strains were analyzed by means ofAPI test and differential media. Difference s in biochemical activity to six substrata between Salmonella Choleraesuis and Salmonella Enteritidis strains were indicated. Basing on ability to hydrogen sulphide production, two S. Choleraesuis strains were classified as Salmonella Choleraesuis var. america. The susceptibility to 20 antimicrobial agents was carried out by disk diffusion method. Strains revealed resistance to carbenicillin and cefuroxime, variable susceptibility to amoxicillin and gentamicin and phenotypic susceptibility to all other investigated antimicrobials. The DNA rep. ori. gene, the specific marker of genus Salmonella, as well as stn, stpA and spaO genes that determine production of enterotoxin, cytotoxin and invasine respectively, were identified in all strains using PCR.

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