1
|
Maluta A, Zając M, Krajewska-Wędzina M, Wasyl D, Heckers K, Didkowska A, Anusz K. Mixed Infection of Mycobacterium szulgai, M. lentiflavum, and Gram-Negative Bacteria as a Cause of Death in a Brown Caiman Caiman crocodylus: A Case Report. Vet Sci 2022; 9:133. [PMID: 35324861 PMCID: PMC8949478 DOI: 10.3390/vetsci9030133] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2022] [Revised: 03/09/2022] [Accepted: 03/11/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
This paper describes a fatal case of nontuberculosis mycobacteriosis in a four-year-old brown caiman kept in captivity. Although the clinical signs were asymptomatic, severe gross lesions were observed, namely necrotic inflammation of the intestines and granulomatous hepatitis. Microbiological and histopathological examination performed on the tissues collected postmortem revealed a mixed infection of Mycobacterium lentiflavum and Mycobacterium szulgai, secondarily mimicked with Salmonella Coeln, Aeromonas hydrofila, Citrobacter freundii, and Providencia rettgeri. Those microorganisms are not only potentially pathogenic to reptiles, but also have a zoonotic importance for humans. Our findings clearly demonstrate the importance of educating owners and maintaining hygiene rules when handling reptiles.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Aleksandra Maluta
- Veterinary Clinic and Hospital for Exotic Pets OAZA, ul. Potocka 4, 01-652 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Magdalena Zając
- Department of Microbiology, National Veterinary Research Institute, Al. Partyzantów 57, 24-100 Puławy, Poland; (M.Z.); (M.K.-W.); (D.W.)
| | - Monika Krajewska-Wędzina
- Department of Microbiology, National Veterinary Research Institute, Al. Partyzantów 57, 24-100 Puławy, Poland; (M.Z.); (M.K.-W.); (D.W.)
| | - Dariusz Wasyl
- Department of Microbiology, National Veterinary Research Institute, Al. Partyzantów 57, 24-100 Puławy, Poland; (M.Z.); (M.K.-W.); (D.W.)
| | - Kim Heckers
- Laboklin Labor fur Klinische Diagnostic GmbH& C.O. KG, 97688 Bad Kissingen, Germany;
| | - Anna Didkowska
- Department of Food Hygiene and Public Health Protection, Institute of Veterinary Medicine, Warsaw University of Life Sciences (S.G.G.W.), Nowoursynowska 166, 02-787 Warsaw, Poland; (A.D.); (K.A.)
| | - Krzysztof Anusz
- Department of Food Hygiene and Public Health Protection, Institute of Veterinary Medicine, Warsaw University of Life Sciences (S.G.G.W.), Nowoursynowska 166, 02-787 Warsaw, Poland; (A.D.); (K.A.)
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Zając M, Skarżyńska M, Lalak A, Kwit R, Śmiałowska-Węglińska A, Pasim P, Szulowski K, Wasyl D. Salmonella in Captive Reptiles and Their Environment-Can We Tame the Dragon? Microorganisms 2021; 9:microorganisms9051012. [PMID: 34066739 PMCID: PMC8151916 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms9051012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2021] [Revised: 04/23/2021] [Accepted: 05/04/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Reptiles are considered a reservoir of a variety of Salmonella (S.) serovars. Nevertheless, due to a lack of large-scale research, the importance of Reptilia as a Salmonella vector still remains not completely recognized. A total of 731 samples collected from reptiles and their environment were tested. The aim of the study was to assess the prevalence of Salmonella in exotic reptiles kept in Poland and to confirm Salmonella contamination of the environment after reptile exhibitions. The study included Salmonella isolation and identification, followed by epidemiological analysis of the antimicrobial resistance of the isolates. Implementation of a pathway additional to the standard Salmonella isolation protocol led to a 21% increase in the Salmonella serovars detection rate. The study showed a high occurrence of Salmonella, being the highest at 92.2% in snakes, followed by lizards (83.7%) and turtles (60.0%). The pathogen was also found in 81.2% of swabs taken from table and floor surfaces after reptile exhibitions and in two out of three egg samples. A total of 918 Salmonella strains belonging to 207 serovars and serological variants were obtained. We have noted the serovars considered important with respect to public health, i.e., S. Enteritidis, S. Typhimurium, and S. Kentucky. The study proves that exotic reptiles in Poland are a relevant reservoir of Salmonella.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Magdalena Zając
- Department of Microbiology, National Veterinary Research Institute, Al. Partyzantów 57, 24-100 Puławy, Poland; (M.S.); (A.L.); (R.K.); (A.Ś.-W.); (P.P.); (K.S.); (D.W.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +48-81-889-3419
| | - Magdalena Skarżyńska
- Department of Microbiology, National Veterinary Research Institute, Al. Partyzantów 57, 24-100 Puławy, Poland; (M.S.); (A.L.); (R.K.); (A.Ś.-W.); (P.P.); (K.S.); (D.W.)
| | - Anna Lalak
- Department of Microbiology, National Veterinary Research Institute, Al. Partyzantów 57, 24-100 Puławy, Poland; (M.S.); (A.L.); (R.K.); (A.Ś.-W.); (P.P.); (K.S.); (D.W.)
| | - Renata Kwit
- Department of Microbiology, National Veterinary Research Institute, Al. Partyzantów 57, 24-100 Puławy, Poland; (M.S.); (A.L.); (R.K.); (A.Ś.-W.); (P.P.); (K.S.); (D.W.)
| | - Aleksandra Śmiałowska-Węglińska
- Department of Microbiology, National Veterinary Research Institute, Al. Partyzantów 57, 24-100 Puławy, Poland; (M.S.); (A.L.); (R.K.); (A.Ś.-W.); (P.P.); (K.S.); (D.W.)
| | - Paulina Pasim
- Department of Microbiology, National Veterinary Research Institute, Al. Partyzantów 57, 24-100 Puławy, Poland; (M.S.); (A.L.); (R.K.); (A.Ś.-W.); (P.P.); (K.S.); (D.W.)
| | - Krzysztof Szulowski
- Department of Microbiology, National Veterinary Research Institute, Al. Partyzantów 57, 24-100 Puławy, Poland; (M.S.); (A.L.); (R.K.); (A.Ś.-W.); (P.P.); (K.S.); (D.W.)
| | - Dariusz Wasyl
- Department of Microbiology, National Veterinary Research Institute, Al. Partyzantów 57, 24-100 Puławy, Poland; (M.S.); (A.L.); (R.K.); (A.Ś.-W.); (P.P.); (K.S.); (D.W.)
- Department of Omics Analyses, National Veterinary Research Institute, Al. Partyzantów 57, 24-100 Puławy, Poland
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Marin C, Lorenzo-Rebenaque L, Laso O, Villora-Gonzalez J, Vega S. Pet Reptiles: A Potential Source of Transmission of Multidrug-Resistant Salmonella. Front Vet Sci 2021; 7:613718. [PMID: 33490138 PMCID: PMC7815585 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2020.613718] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2020] [Accepted: 12/08/2020] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Salmonella spp. is widely considered one of the most important zoonotic pathogens worldwide. The close contact between reptiles and their owners provides favourable conditions for the transmission of zoonotic pathogen infections, and ~6% of human salmonellosis cases are acquired after direct or indirect contact with reptiles. Moreover, antimicrobial resistance is one of the most important health threats of the twenty-first century and has been reported in Salmonella strains isolated from pet reptiles, which could entail therapeutic consequences for their owners and breeders. The aim of this study was to assess Salmonella carriage by pet reptiles in pet shops and households, and their role in the transmission of antimicrobial resistance, to inform the owners about the possible risks factors. During the period between January 2019 and December 2019, 54 reptiles from pet shops and 69 reptiles from households were sampled in the Valencian Region (Eastern Spain). 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), serotyped in accordance with Kauffman-White-Le-Minor technique, and antibiotic susceptibility was assessed according to Decision 2013/652. The results of this study showed that 48% of the pet reptiles examined from households and pet shops carry Salmonella spp. All the strains isolated presented resistance to at least one antibiotic, and 72% were multidrug-resistant strains, the most frequently observed resistance patterns being gentamicin-colistin and gentamicin-colistin-ampicillin. The present study demonstrates that pet reptiles could be a source of human multidrug-resistant Salmonella infection. In this context, the most optimal prevention of multidrug-resistant Salmonella infections necessarily involves strict control of the sanitary status of reptile pet shops and hygienic handling by the individual owners at home.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Clara Marin
- Facultad de Veterinaria, Instituto de Ciencias Biomédicas, Universidad Cardenal Herrera-CEU, CEU Universities, Alfara del Patriarca, Spain
| | - Laura Lorenzo-Rebenaque
- Facultad de Veterinaria, Instituto de Ciencias Biomédicas, Universidad Cardenal Herrera-CEU, CEU Universities, Alfara del Patriarca, Spain
| | - Omar Laso
- Facultad de Veterinaria, Instituto de Ciencias Biomédicas, Universidad Cardenal Herrera-CEU, CEU Universities, Alfara del Patriarca, Spain
| | | | - Santiago Vega
- Facultad de Veterinaria, Instituto de Ciencias Biomédicas, Universidad Cardenal Herrera-CEU, CEU Universities, Alfara del Patriarca, Spain
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
McKnight DT, Zenger KR, Alford RA, Huerlimann R. Microbiome diversity and composition varies across body areas in a freshwater turtle. MICROBIOLOGY-SGM 2020; 166:440-452. [PMID: 32213245 DOI: 10.1099/mic.0.000904] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
There is increasing recognition that microbiomes are important for host health and ecology, and understanding host microbiomes is important for planning appropriate conservation strategies. However, microbiome data are lacking for many taxa, including turtles. To further our understanding of the interactions between aquatic microbiomes and their hosts, we used next generation sequencing technology to examine the microbiomes of the Krefft's river turtle (Emydura macquarii krefftii). We examined the microbiomes of the buccal (oral) cavity, skin on the head, parts of the shell with macroalgae and parts of the shell without macroalgae. Bacteria in the phyla Proteobacteria and Bacteroidetes were the most common in most samples (particularly buccal samples), but Cyanobacteria, Deinococcus-thermus and Chloroflexi were also common (particularly in external microbiomes). We found significant differences in community composition among each body area, as well as significant differences among individuals. The buccal cavity had lower bacterial richness and evenness than any of the external microbiomes, and it had many amplicon sequence variants (ASVs) with a low relative abundance compared to other body areas. Nevertheless, the buccal cavity also had the most unique ASVs. Parts of the shell with and without algae also had different microbiomes, with particularly obvious differences in the relative abundances of the families Methylomonaceae, Saprospiraceae and Nostocaceae. This study provides novel, baseline information about the external microbiomes of turtles and is a first step in understanding their ecological roles.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Donald T McKnight
- College of Science and Engineering, James Cook University, Townsville, Queensland, Australia.,Present address: School of Environmental and Rural Science, University of New England, Armidale, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Kyall R Zenger
- College of Science and Engineering, James Cook University, Townsville, Queensland, Australia
| | - Ross A Alford
- College of Science and Engineering, James Cook University, Townsville, Queensland, Australia
| | - Roger Huerlimann
- College of Science and Engineering, James Cook University, Townsville, Queensland, Australia
| |
Collapse
|