Pet snakes as a reservoir for Salmonella enterica subsp. diarizonae (serogroup IIIb): a prospective study

• Published in: Applied and Environmental Microbiology Vol. 70; no. 1; pp. 613 - 615
• Main Authors: Schroter, M, Roggentin, P, Hofmann, J, Speicher, A, Laufs, R, Mack, D
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Washington, DC American Society for Microbiology 2004
• Subjects: Animal care; animal pathogenic bacteria; Animals; Animals, Domestic; Biological and medical sciences; Bitis nasicornis; Bothriechis schlegelii; Disease Reservoirs; Electrophoresis, Gel, Pulsed-Field; feces; Feces - microbiology; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Humans; isolation; Microbiology; pets; Prevalence; Prospective Studies; Public Health Microbiology; Salmonella; Salmonella enterica; Salmonella enterica - isolation & purification; Salmonella enterica subsp. diarizonae; Salmonella Infections, Animal - epidemiology; Salmonella Infections, Animal - microbiology; salmonellosis; serotypes; Serotyping; Snakes; Viperidae; Viperidae - microbiology; zoonoses; Salmonella; Vertebrata; Bacteria; Reservoir; Reptilia; Enterobacteriaceae; Ophidia
• ISSN: 0099-2240; 1098-5336
• DOI: 10.1128/AEM.70.1.613-615.2004

Reptile-associated Salmonella infections are an increasing problem for humans. We have prospectively screened two breeding groups of 16 pet snakes for colonization with Salmonella species. Various serovars of S. enterica subsp. diarizonae were found in 81% of the snakes. To avoid transmission, strict hygienic precautions should be applied when reptiles are handled.