Pathology of Salmonella enterica Subspecies enterica Serotype Typhimurium Infection in Chinchillas (Chinchilla lanigera)

Septicaemia is the main pathological manifestation of Salmonella infection in chinchillas (Chinchilla lanigera), although information on its pathology is limited. We now describe the gross, histological and immunohistochemical features of Salmonella enterica subspecies enterica serotype Typhimurium (S. Typhimurium) infection in ranched chinchillas. Eighty-five adult pregnant chinchillas had anorexia, prostration, weight loss, hyperthermia and abortion. Necropsy of 13 animals revealed splenomegaly, hepatomegaly, mesenteric lymphadenomegaly, prominent Peyer’s patches, pulmonary oedema, white pinpoint lesions in multiple organs and petechiae in the urinary bladder. In all cases, histological lesions were consistent with septicaemia, characterized by acute necrotizing hepatitis, splenitis, lymphadenitis, cystitis, pneumonia, enterocolitis, gastritis and/or nephritis. Immunohistochemistry for Salmonella spp on seven cases revealed intralesional immunolabelling in all affected organs. Salmonella sp was isolated from liver, spleen, intestinal contents and blood of 10 chinchillas. Isolates of four animals were identified as S. Typhimurium.