Surveys on Pet-Reptile-Associated Multi-Drug-Resistant Salmonella spp. in the Timișoara Metropolitan Region—Western Romania

Abstract

The number of reptiles owned as pets has risen worldwide. Additionally, urban expansion has resulted in more significant human encroachment and interactions with the habitats of captive reptiles. Between May and October 2022, 48 reptiles from pet shops and 69 from households were sampled in the Timișoara metropolitan area (western Romania). Three different sample types were collected from each reptile: oral cavity, skin, and cloacal swabs. Salmonella identification was based on ISO 6579-1:2017 (Annex D), a molecular testing method (invA gene target), and strains were serotyped in accordance with the Kauffman–White–Le-Minor technique; the antibiotic susceptibility was assessed according to Decision 2013/652. This study showed that 43.28% of the pet reptiles examined from households and pet shops carried Salmonella spp. All of the strains isolated presented resistance to at least one antibiotic, and 79.32% (23/29) were multi-drug-resistant strains, with the most frequently observed resistances being to gentamicin, nitrofurantion, tobramycin, and trimethoprim–sulfamethoxazole. The findings of the study undertaken by our team reveal that reptile multi-drug-resistant Salmonella is present. Considering this aspect, the most effective way of preventing multi-drug-resistant Salmonella infections requires stringent hygiene control in reptile pet shops as well as ensuring proper animal handling once the animals leave the pet shop and are introduced into households.

Virulence determinants and antibiotic resistance in staphylococci isolated from the skin of captive bred reptiles

“…The study of Cristina et al ( 2022 ) determined E. faecalis as the most frequently isolated species; however, their study included 25 sick reptiles with no response to treatment. The identification of the Salmonella genus in Elaphe schrenckii confirms the fact that reptiles are well-known reservoir of Salmonella , species as previous studies also demonstrated (Zajac et al 2021 ; Dégi et al 2023 ). These poikilothermic vertebrates can be easily colonised with vertical and horizontal transfer and shed pathogens intermittently (Schroter et al 2006 ).…”