iHerp Australia Issue 4 | Page 56

Salmonella , squamates and vacuum cleaners .

Salmonella , squamates and vacuum cleaners .

Salmonella and salmonellosis ( the gastrointestinal disease caused by the bacteria ) are often associated with contaminated food items . Incredibly , there are more than 90 million cases of salmonellosis in the world every year , and in the USA , 6 % of sporadic salmonellosis cases are believed to be caused through contact with reptiles and amphibians ! Let ’ s back track a little . A number of studies have shown that Salmonella is commonly present in wild lizards and snakes . For example , in the Galapagos 98 % of land iguanas ( Conolophus subcristatus ) tested positive for Salmonella ; in Poland 86 % of dead wild snakes also tested positive , and right here in our own backyard , Salmonella was found to be present in 83 % of wild Shinglebacks ( Tiliqua rugosa ). Other studies have demonstrated that captive lizards tend to have a significantly higher carriage rate for Salmonella than wild lizards , and this may be due to horizontal transmission of the bacteria from humans and other animals .
A recent review published in the journal Pathogens ( see full reference below ) examines the link between salmonellosis and exposure to squamates ( lizards and snakes ). In the UK , more than a quarter of salmonellosis cases in children under the age of five can be attributed to exposure to reptiles . Lizards and snakes have been confirmed as the source of human salmonellosis in countries around the globe , with bearded dragons and iguanas being the most common culprits . In a couple of documented cases , the infected individuals had no direct contact with the reptiles concerned , with transmission likely to have been via vacuum cleaners ( which in both instances tested positive for Salmonella ). The predominance of infants and young children amongst these cases is particularly perturbing , since the very young are more likely to develop serious symptoms that can prove fatal . In fact , the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention warns against contact with reptiles for children under five , and recommends that childcare centres avoid keeping reptiles as pets .
The review highlights the lack of general awareness of the risks associated with handling reptiles , and the importance of education and adequate hygiene . The growing popularity of reptiles as pets , and increased urbanisation , resulting in greater human contact with reptiles , are identified as factors which may result in an increased incidence of reptilerelated salmonellosis .
Reference :
Whiley H , Gardner MG , & Ross K ., A Review of Salmonella and Squamates ( Lizards , Snakes and Amphisbians ): Implications for Public Health . Pathogens 2017 ; 6 , 38 ; doi : 10.3390 / pathogens6030038 . And also : http :// news . flinders . edu . au / blog / 2017 / 10 / 02 / warning-reptile-handling /
Above : 83 % of wild Shinglebacks tested positive for Salmonella . Image by Adam Elliott .

56