Pet Turtles: A Continuing International Threat to Public Health

D'aoust, J.-Y.; Daley, E.; Crozier, Mitchell; Sewell, A. M.

doi:10.1093/oxfordjournals.aje.a115652

Cited by 70 publications

(32 citation statements)

References 0 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…Due to the intermittent excretion, it is difficult to determine if the bacteria have indeed been eliminated (Chiodini and Sundberg 1981), and there are concerns that treatment may also lead to antibiotic-resistant strains of Salmonella spp. (D'Aoust et al 1990). As many reptiles carry Salmonella spp.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Prevalence ofSalmonellaspp., and serovars isolated from captive exotic reptiles in New Zealand

Kikillus

Gartrell

Motion

2011

New Zealand Veterinary Journal

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

This study showed that Salmonella spp. were commonly carried by exotic reptiles in the study population in New Zealand. Several serovars of Salmonella spp. with known pathogenicity to humans were isolated, including S. Infantis, which is one of the most common serovars isolated from both humans and non-human sources in New Zealand. The limitations of this study included the bias engendered by the need for voluntary involvement in the study, and the non-random sampling design. Based on the serovars identified in this and previous studies, it is recommended native and exotic reptiles be segregated within collections, especially when native reptiles may be used for biodiversity restoration. Veterinarians and reptile keepers are advised to follow hygiene protocols developed to minimise reptile-associated salmonellosis.

show abstract

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Prevalence ofSalmonellaspp., and serovars isolated from captive exotic reptiles in New Zealand

Kikillus

Gartrell

Motion

2011

New Zealand Veterinary Journal

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…arizonae and other salmonellae (9,10,14). The GEN resistance that has emerged in the last decade presents a threat to the efficacy of the GEN sulfate treatment used by the turtle industry to eradicate Salmonella spp.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…isolated from pet turtles was originally reported in Canada, 1990, in a study stating that turtles imported from Louisiana carried gentamicin-resistant Salmonella spp. (10). Concerns on the emergence of gentamicin-resistant Salmonella enterica subsp.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Plasmid-Mediated High-Level Gentamicin Resistance among Enteric Bacteria Isolated from Pet Turtles in Louisiana

Díaz

Cooper

Cloeckaert

et al. 2006

Appl Environ Microbiol

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

The sale of small turtles is banned by the Food and Drug Administration from the U.S. market due to concerns about their excretion of Salmonella spp. To produce a safe pet for the export market, the Louisiana pet turtle industry uses gentamicin sulfate baths (1,000 g/ml) to eradicate Salmonella spp. from turtle eggs. In 1999, we analyzed bacterial samples recovered from turtle farms and found that strains of Salmonella enterica subsp. arizonae and other bacteria, such as Enterobacter cloacae, Citrobacter freundii, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Stenotrophomonas maltophilia, were resistant to high concentrations of gentamicin (>2,000 g/ml) and to other aminoglycosides. The goal of this study was to identify the gene(s) which contributes to the high-level gentamicin resistance phenotype observed in bacteria from environmental samples with turtle farming activity, particularly the salmonellae, and to estimate the incidence of such genes in these bacteria. R plasmids from gentamicin-resistant strains were transferred by conjugation and transformation to naive Escherichia coli cells. Cloning and sequencing of the gentamicin resistance determinants on these plasmids revealed the presence of the aminoglycoside acetyltransferase genes aac(3)-IIa and aac(3)-VIa; the latter was present as a gene cassette of a class 1 integron. Multiplex PCR assays showed that every gentamicin-resistant isolate carried one of these acetyltransferase genes. Pulsed-field gel electrophoresis and restriction enzyme digestion analysis of R plasmids carrying these genes revealed different restriction profiles and sizes, indicating a dissemination of the gentamicin resistance genes through mobile molecular elements. The data presented highlight the need to develop an alternate method for the eradication of Salmonella spp. from turtle eggs.

show abstract

“…9,10 Repeated outbreaks, predominantly among children, led to a 1975 federal ban on the sale of small turtles, causing a dramatic decline in salmonellosis among children. 11 As of June 2012, the distribution of ADFs was unregulated by federal or state agencies.…”

Section: Investigation Of Adf Breeding Facilitymentioning

confidence: 99%

US Outbreak of Human Salmonella Infections Associated With Aquatic Frogs, 2008–2011

et al. 2013

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

OBJECTIVE: Although amphibians are known Salmonella carriers, no such outbreaks have been reported. We investigated a nationwide outbreak of human Salmonella Typhimurium infections occurring predominantly among children from 2008 to 2011. METHODS: We conducted a matched case-control study. Cases were defined as persons with Salmonella Typhimurium infection yielding an isolate indistinguishable from the outbreak strain. Controls were persons with recent infection with Salmonella strains other than the outbreak strain and matched to cases by age and geography. Environmental samples were obtained from patients’ homes; traceback investigations were conducted. RESULTS: We identified 376 cases from 44 states from January 1, 2008, to December 31, 2011; 29% (56/193) of patients were hospitalized and none died. Median patient age was 5 years (range <1–86 years); 69% were children <10 years old (253/367). Among 114 patients interviewed, 69 (61%) reported frog exposure. Of patients who knew frog type, 79% (44/56) reported African dwarf frogs (ADF), a type of aquatic frog. Among 18 cases and 29 controls, illness was significantly associated with frog exposure (67% cases versus 3% controls, matched odds ratio 12.4, 95% confidence interval 1.9–infinity). Environmental samples from aquariums containing ADFs in 8 patients’ homes, 2 ADF distributors, and a day care center yielded isolates indistinguishable from the outbreak strain. Traceback investigations of ADFs from patient purchases converged to a common ADF breeding facility. Environmental samples from the breeding facility yielded the outbreak strain. CONCLUSIONS: ADFs were the source of this nationwide pediatric predominant outbreak. Pediatricians should routinely inquire about pet ownership and advise families about illness risks associated with animals.

show abstract

Pet Turtles: A Continuing International Threat to Public Health

Cited by 70 publications

References 0 publications

Prevalence ofSalmonellaspp., and serovars isolated from captive exotic reptiles in New Zealand

Prevalence ofSalmonellaspp., and serovars isolated from captive exotic reptiles in New Zealand

Plasmid-Mediated High-Level Gentamicin Resistance among Enteric Bacteria Isolated from Pet Turtles in Louisiana

US Outbreak of Human Salmonella Infections Associated With Aquatic Frogs, 2008–2011

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About