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Zoonotic potential of Salmonella enterica carried by pet tortoises

Bruce, H L; Barrow, P A; Rycroft, A N

Authors

H L Bruce

P A Barrow

A N Rycroft



Abstract

The prevalence of Salmonella in chelonians is not known in the UK and it is not clear whether such Salmonella strains would be pathogenic for human beings. Some strains, such as members of the Arizonae subgroup, may be unable to cause anything more than very mild disease. To determine the carriage of Salmonella in pet tortoises, cloacal swabs were taken for culture. Salmonella enterica Group D was isolated from 5 of the 89 samples. All five were from the same household of seven tortoises. Salmonella isolates were shown by PCR to carry the invA and spiC genes associated with pathogenicity islands 1 and 2. Each isolate carried both genes indicating they had the genetic basis for disease and enterocyte invasion in human beings. The study indicates a low rate of asymptomatic carriage among the general population of pet tortoises. However, it does suggest that those Salmonella strains colonising the tortoise can carry Salmonella pathogenicity island (SPI)-1 and SPI-2 conferring the potential to cause disease in human beings and other animals.

Citation

Bruce, H. L., Barrow, P. A., & Rycroft, A. N. (2017). Zoonotic potential of Salmonella enterica carried by pet tortoises. Veterinary Record, 182(5), 141. https://doi.org/10.1136/vr.104457

Journal Article Type Article
Acceptance Date Nov 11, 2017
Publication Date Dec 7, 2017
Deposit Date Dec 9, 2017
Publicly Available Date Mar 29, 2024
Journal Veterinary Record
Print ISSN 0042-4900
Publisher BMJ Publishing Group
Peer Reviewed Peer Reviewed
Volume 182
Issue 5
Pages 141
DOI https://doi.org/10.1136/vr.104457
Public URL https://rvc-repository.worktribe.com/output/1389857