Salmonella in tropical freshwater fish ‘carriage water’

The prevalence of Salmonella spp. was determined in 970 animals comprising 423 pet birds, 485 fish aquaria water and 62 other pets (40 pet mammals, 14 reptiles, eight others - crustaceans, snail, stingray) from both pet shops and households throughout Trinidad. The serotypes of Salmonella spp. isolated were identified and the resistance to various antimicrobial agents was determined. Overall nine (0.9%) of 970 pet animals were positive for Salmonella spp. Six isolates of Salmonella spp. were recovered from all pet birds with two isolates of serotype Aberdeen and one isolate each of Thompson, Rubislaw, Panama and Newport. The prevalence of Salmonella spp. in birds was 0.9%. Four isolates of Salmonella spp. were recovered from fish aquaria water, serotypes included Panama (two isolates), Newport (one isolate) and Virchow (one isolate). Prevalence of Salmonella spp. from fish aquaria was 0.4%. No isolate of Salmonella spp. was detected in pet mammals sampled while two isolates were recovered from reptiles, S. Enteritidis and S. Montevideo. One isolate of Salmonella spp. was recovered from a stingray, serotype unknown. Antimicrobial resistance was present is all animal types. The highest prevalence of resistance was to streptomycin among isolates from birds (83.3%) and other pets (100.0%) while isolates from fish aquarium water exhibited comparatively high resistance to cephalothin (50.0%). It was concluded that the isolation of Salmonella spp. from apparently healthy birds, fish aquarium water and other pet animals may pose a health risk to their owners and contacts as all serotypes are known to be potentially pathogenic depending on the oral dosage of the organism and the immune status of those in contact. The high prevalence of resistance to antimicrobial agents among Salmonella isolates across pet species may pose chemotherapeutic consequences to their owners and contacts.

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“…In a study conducted by Black et al (1992) Salmonella spp. were isolated from water in which tropical fish were imported from Singapore.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Prevalence and Antimicrobial Resistance of Salmonella spp. in Pet Mammals, Reptiles, Fish Aquarium Water, and Birds in Trinidad

Seepersadsingh

Adesiyun²

2003

Journal of Veterinary Medicine, Series B

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“…The presence in tropical fish aquariums of pathogens that are dangerous to humans has been reported elsewhere. 3,[14][15][16] An article published in 1992 reported S. Paratyphi B, var Java infection in two children from the United Kingdom. They were infected by the water used to import tropical fish from Singapore.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…However, the fish may act as bacterial reservoirs for many weeks. 3,14,16,17 During periods of stress, these fishes can excrete Salmonella in their feces -although no symptoms are visibleand the water in the tanks or aquariums can become contaminated. 15,18 The tanks are seldom emptied completely, in order to maintain their biological balance.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Sporadic Infections of Salmonella Paratyphi B, var. Java Associated with Fish Tanks

Gaulin¹,

Vincent

Ismaïl

2005

Can J Public Health

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Objective: Identify a source of contamination to explain the increase in the number of cases of S. Paratyphi B var. Java infection.Method: A descriptive study was conducted to gather more information about cases and potential risk factors for infection. Between January 2000 and June 2003, we identified and interviewed by questionnaire 53 people with S. Paratyphi B infection. Due to the suspected link with fish tanks, an environmental investigation was conducted for each case at patients' homes as well as at pet stores and wholesalers. Various samples were taken from fish tanks. The fish were purchased at different pet shops. The pulsed field gel electrophoresis method was used to compare the human and aquarium strains.Results: Of those infected, 60% had bought or had contact with an aquarium or tropical fishes before becoming ill. More than 50% of the samples taken from fish tanks in homes, pet shops, and wholesaler operations contained a number of serotypes of Salmonella in addition to Salmonella Paratyphi B var. Java. There were similarities between the PFGE patterns of human strains and aquarium samples.Discussion: Contact with fish tanks could be a risk factor for developing a Salmonella infection and the public may be unaware of this risk. It was recommended that information be produced and distributed to pet shops and their customers to inform them of safety precautions in order to reduce the risk of contamination from bacterial pathogens that may be present in aquarium water.MeSH terms: Salmonella Paratyphi B; sporadic infections; fish tanks La traduction du résumé se trouve à la fin de l'article.

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Vibrio cholerae 01 in fish tank water

Hay

Arnott

1996

Public Health

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Salmonella in tropical freshwater fish ‘carriage water’

Cited by 6 publications

References 6 publications

Prevalence and Antimicrobial Resistance of Salmonella spp. in Pet Mammals, Reptiles, Fish Aquarium Water, and Birds in Trinidad

Prevalence and Antimicrobial Resistance of Salmonella spp. in Pet Mammals, Reptiles, Fish Aquarium Water, and Birds in Trinidad

Sporadic Infections of Salmonella Paratyphi B, var. Java Associated with Fish Tanks

Vibrio cholerae 01 in fish tank water

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