Prevalence of Salmonella spp. in pet reptiles in Japan

• Published in: Journal of Veterinary Medical Science Vol. 67; no. 1; pp. 97 - 101
• Main Authors: Nakadai, A. (Tokyo Univ. of Agriculture and Technology, Fuchu (Japan)), Kuroki, T, Kato, Y, Suzuki, R, Yamai, S, Yaginuma, C, Shiotani, R, Yamanouchi, A, Hayashidani, H
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Japan JAPANESE SOCIETY OF VETERINARY SCIENCE 01-01-2005; Japan Science and Technology Agency
• Subjects: Animals; Animals, Domestic - microbiology; Carrier State - epidemiology; Carrier State - veterinary; Feces - microbiology; IDENTIFICATION; JAPAN; Japan - epidemiology; Lacertilia; PET ANIMALS; Prevalence; REPTILES; Reptiles - microbiology; SALMONELLA; Salmonella Infections, Animal - epidemiology; SURVEYS; Japan
• ISSN: 0916-7250; 1347-7439
• DOI: 10.1292/jvms.67.97

From November 2000 to July 2002, 112 fecal samples from pet reptiles, including 18 turtles, 71 lizards and 23 snakes, sold at a pet shop were examined for the prevalence of Salmonella spp. in Japan, Salmonella app. were isolated from 83 (74.1%) of 112 samples, and a total of 112 Salmonella isolates were identified as subspecies I to IV. The majority of isolates (62.5%) belonged to subspecies I and 54 isolates could be identified as any of 28 serovars. The predominant serovars were found to be S. Bardo, S. Newport and S. Panama. which cause human salmonellosis. These results indicate that pet reptiles may be a potential infectious source of human salmonellosis in Japan.