Respiratory and digestive lesions caused by Salmonella arizonae in two snakes

Salmonella Associated with Snakes (Suborder Serpentes)

“…Lesions in the respiratory tract are less common. Orós et al (1996) observed tracheal necrosis and inflammation caused by S. arizonae in a double-headed Honduran Milksnake (Lampropeltis hondurensis) which had been found dead without previous clinical signals. Onderka & Finlayson (1985) reported fibrinous alveolar exudation and interstitial inflammatory infiltration in the lungs of a Boa constrictor deceased from a pneumonia caused by Salmonella.…”

“…Inappetance and regurgitation with blood and mucus were observed in a Rosy Boa (Lichanura trivirgata) with gastrointestinal lesions (Orós et al, 1996). Extra-intestinal salmonellosis may also occur.…”

“…In the past it was generally believed that subspecies III was a part of the reptile normal gastrointestinal microbiota (Orós et al, 1996). While serotypes of all Salmonella subspecies have been isolated from snakes (Bemis et al, 2007), S. IIIa seems to be the most pathogenic for these animals as it is most frequently isolated in cases with clinical disease (Lamberski et al, 2002;Ramsay et al, 2002).…”

“…The intestinal tract of two Crotallus willardi that died from enteritis presented heterophilic necrotizing and granulomatous lesions (Ramsay et al, 2002). A Rosy Boa (Lichanura trivirgata) with gastrointestinal clinical signs presented diffuse thickening of the gastric wall with necrotic and fibrinonecrotic lesions (Orós et al, 1996).…”

Salmonella ArizonaeInfection from Snake Bite

“…1 Several investigators have reported the fact that snakes and other reptiles harbor and transmit S. arizonae to humans. [2][3][4][5] Therefore, whenever and wherever human infection due to this organism occurs, it should trigger suspicion of a possible connection with reptiles as well as poultry and egg products. In areas of Saudi Arabia where snakebite is common, deliberate attempts should be made to exclude secondary bacterial infection due to S. arizonae, which could be fatal.…”