Isolation and Identification of Pathogenic Morganella morganii Isolated from Infected Soft-shelled Turtle (Pelochelys bibroni)

Our study aimed at searching for the pathogenic factor,which cause soft-shelled turtle(Pelochelys bibroni) disease.A pathogenetic bacterial strain YB0428 was isolated from naturally infected soft-shelled turtle in Beijing.The strain was identified according to its physiological,biochemical properties and the sequence analysis of 16S rRNA gene.The drug sensitivity was detected by Kirby-Bauer's agar diffusion method.Based on the result of 16S rRNA sequence analysis,the strain YB0428 shares 94% sequence identity with the type strain HX081027 of Morganella morganii.The morphological characteristics of the strain were gram-negative.The results of physiological and biochemical tests showed Kovacs,Citrate and Voges-Proskauer(V-P) tests were negative.Indole,Urease and Ornithine decarboxylase tests were positive.Lysine decarboxylase and arginine dihydrolase tests were negative.The result of drug sensitive tests showed that among 37 antibiotics,Netilmicin,Carbenicillin,Piperacillin etc.had better inhibitive effect on the strain.The isolated strain YB0428 was identified as Morganella morganii.The results will provide evidences for further caring the diseases of soft-shelled turtle(Pelochelys bibroni).