Prevalence of Salmonella in Australian Reptiles

Scheelings, T. Franciscus; Lightfoot, Dianne; Holz, Peter

doi:10.7589/0090-3558-47.1.1

Cited by 57 publications

(69 citation statements)

References 25 publications

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“…from wildlife is not uncommon, and prevalences similar to or higher than the 4.661.7% we observed have been reported for a range of avian, reptilian, and mammalian species (Quessy and Messier 1992;Handeland et al 2002;Renter et al 2006;Phalen et al 2010;Scheelings et al 2011). Six of the seven isolates in this study were identified as Salmonella Mississippi (Edwards et al 1943).…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 85%

Investigation Into Individual Health and Exposure to Infectious Agents of Platypuses (Ornithorhynchus Anatinus) in Two River Catchments in Northwest Tasmania

Macgregor

Holyoake

Munks

et al. 2017

Journal of Wildlife Diseases

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Changes in the health of individuals within wildlife populations can be a cause or effect of population declines in wildlife species. Aspects of individual platypus (Ornithorhynchus anatinus) health have been reported. However, holistic studies investigating potential synergistic effects of both pathogens and environmental factors are needed to expand understanding of platypus individual health. We collected baseline data on the health of platypuses in two Tasmanian river catchments (including evidence of the potentially fatal fungal disease mucormycosis) and on individual, demographic, and geographic patterns associated with health data results. We examined 130 wild platypuses from the Inglis River Catchment and 24 platypuses from the Seabrook Creek Catchment in northwest Tasmania between 29 August 2011 and 31 August 2013. More than 90% of captured platypuses were infected with ticks, Theileria spp., and trypanosomes. Evidence of exposure to other infections, including Salmonella spp., Leptospira spp., and intestinal parasites, was low (,10%). Three platypuses had single fungal granulomas in the webbing of a forefoot, but no evidence of mucormycosis was found in any of the study animals. Possible subclinical hepatopathies or cholangiohepatopathies were found in six platypuses. Exposure to infectious agents did not cluster geographically, demographically, or in individuals, and there was minimal evidence of morbidity resulting from infection. This study has provided important baseline data for monitoring the effects of threatening processes, including mucormycosis, on the health of infected populations.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 85%

Investigation Into Individual Health and Exposure to Infectious Agents of Platypuses (Ornithorhynchus Anatinus) in Two River Catchments in Northwest Tasmania

Macgregor

Holyoake

Munks

et al. 2017

Journal of Wildlife Diseases

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“…None of the samples in this study were positive to Salmonella sp., otherwise very frequent finding in snakes (KUROKI et al, 2013;SCHEELINGS et al, 2011;STING et al, 2013;LUKAC et al, 2015) and a common cause of disease in humans. Low incidence of Salmonella was also described by SCHMIDT et al (2014) who reported 14.3% (8/56) Salmonella spp.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Oral and cloacal aerobic bacterial and fungal flora of free-living four-lined snakes (Elaphe quatuorlineata) from Croatia

Lukač

Tomić

Mandac³

et al. 2017

Vet.arhiv

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The aim of this study was to identify oral and cloacal aerobic flora of four-lined snakes (Elaphe quatuorlineata) from Croatian islands Cres and Olib to get better insight into bacteria and fungi potentially harmful to both the animals and the people getting in contact with those animals. Oral and cloacal swabs were taken from a total of 20 snakes and analyzed by standard microbiology and by Real-Time PCR method for Chlamydia spp. identification. Neither Salmonella spp. nor Chlamydia spp. were detected, but some potentially human pathogens, such as Aeromonas hydrophila, Escherichia coli, Serratia marcescens and Stenotrophomonas maltophilia, were isolated. Some of fungi detected, such as Candida albicans, Aspergillus flavus and Cladosporium sp., have already been described as secondary causative disease agents in reptile collections. To the author's knowledge this study is the first survey of aerobic microflora of four-lined snakes.

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“…That fact hampers research efforts unless the clinical threats occur (Mihalca et al 2010;Sting et al 2013). Definitely, wildlife snakes carry a broad range of bacteria and parasites that differs considerably by geographical locations and source species (Borkovcová and Kopřiva 2005;Fitzgerald et al 2013;Hacioglu and Tosunoglu 2014;Lukac et al 2015;Scheelings et al 2011;Schmidt et al 2014;Shimalov and Shimalov 2000). Salmonella spp., being considered natural component of reptile gut flora, is one of the most frequently noted (Goupil et al 2012;Kuroki et al 2013;Prapasarakul et al 2012;Richards et al 2004;Scheelings et al 2011).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Definitely, wildlife snakes carry a broad range of bacteria and parasites that differs considerably by geographical locations and source species (Borkovcová and Kopřiva 2005;Fitzgerald et al 2013;Hacioglu and Tosunoglu 2014;Lukac et al 2015;Scheelings et al 2011;Schmidt et al 2014;Shimalov and Shimalov 2000). Salmonella spp., being considered natural component of reptile gut flora, is one of the most frequently noted (Goupil et al 2012;Kuroki et al 2013;Prapasarakul et al 2012;Richards et al 2004;Scheelings et al 2011). Wildlife snakes are often reported as host of new parasites or record their new geographical location (Borkovcová and Kopřiva 2005;Halajian et al 2013;Santoro et al 2011;Shimalov and Shimalov 2000;Yildirimhan et al 2007).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Free-living snakes as a source and possible vector of Salmonella spp. and parasites

et al. 2016

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Free-living snakes may carry a broad range of pathogens that differ considerably by geographical locations and source species. The biological role of wildlife snakes for transmission of bacteria and helminths is hardly explored. The purpose of the study was a snapshot on the zoonotic agents load in free-living snakes found dead in a landscape park in central Poland. A total of 16 dead free-living snakes identified as European grass snake (Natrix natrix, N = 15) and a smooth snake (Coronella austriaca, N = 1) were tested. Abdominal organs were used for bacteriological testing, whereas, parasites were searched for in the remaining carcasses. Fourteen (87.5 %) individuals were positive for Salmonella spp., whereas, trematodes were found in 13 out of 16 samples (81.3 %). A total of 33 isolates representing 11 Salmonella serovars or antigenic forms were observed with Salmonella enterica subsp. diarizonae (IIIb) 38:r:z being the most frequent. The trematodes were recognized as Alaria alata mesocercariae (Distomum musculorum suis, DMS). Additionally, unidentified nematodes were detected in four samples. No Yersinia spp. and Mycobacterium spp. were found. The results indicate huge burden of Salmonella spp. and muscle parasites carriage by snakes present in the natural environment and indicate possible zoonotic and epidemiological impact. It justifies our concept of freeliving snakes as possible source and vector of pathogens, especially for omnivores and scavengers foraging on snake corpses. Finding of rare and diverse Salmonella serovars and unidentified nematodes proves the need for in-depth studies and systematic approach to reveal the role of freeliving reptiles in epidemiology of infectious agents.

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Prevalence of Salmonella in Australian Reptiles

Cited by 57 publications

References 25 publications

Investigation Into Individual Health and Exposure to Infectious Agents of Platypuses (Ornithorhynchus Anatinus) in Two River Catchments in Northwest Tasmania

Investigation Into Individual Health and Exposure to Infectious Agents of Platypuses (Ornithorhynchus Anatinus) in Two River Catchments in Northwest Tasmania

Oral and cloacal aerobic bacterial and fungal flora of free-living four-lined snakes (Elaphe quatuorlineata) from Croatia

Free-living snakes as a source and possible vector of Salmonella spp. and parasites

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