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Zhao M, Wang X, He J, Zhou K, Xie M, Ding H. Serovar and sequence type distribution and phenotypic and genotypic antimicrobial resistance of Salmonella originating from pet animals in Chongqing, China. Microbiol Spectr 2024; 12:e0354223. [PMID: 38757951 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.03542-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2023] [Accepted: 04/13/2024] [Indexed: 05/18/2024] Open
Abstract
A total of 334 Salmonella isolates were recovered from 6,223 pet rectal samples collected at 50 pet clinics, 42 pet shops, 7 residential areas, and 4 plazas. Forty serovars were identified that included all strains except for one isolate that did not cluster via self-agglutination, with Salmonella Typhimurium monophasic variant, Salmonella Kentucky, Salmonella Enteritidis, Salmonella Pomona, and Salmonella Give being the predominant serovars. Fifty-one sequence types were identified among the isolates, and ST198, ST11, ST19, ST451, ST34, and ST155 were the most common. The top four dominant antimicrobials to which isolates were resistant were sulfisoxazole, ampicillin, doxycycline, and tetracycline, and 217 isolates exhibited multidrug resistance. The prevalence of β-lactamase genes in Salmonella isolates was 59.6%, and among these isolates, 185 harbored blaTEM, followed by blaCTX-M (66) and blaOXA (10). Moreover, six PMQR genes, namely, including qnrA (4.8%), qnrB (4.2%), qnrD (0.9%), qnrS (18.9%), aac(6')-Ib-cr (16.5%), and oqxB (1.5%), were detected. QRDR mutations (76.6%) were very common in Salmonella isolates, with the most frequent mutation in parC (T57S) (47.3%). Furthermore, we detected six tetracycline resistance genes in 176 isolates, namely, tet(A) (39.5%), tet(B) (8.1%), tet(M) (7.7%), tet(D) (5.4%), tet(J) (3.3%), and tet(C) (1.8%), and three sulfonamide resistance genes in 303 isolates, namely, sul1 (84.4%), sul2 (31.1%), and sul3 (4.2%). Finally, we found 86 isolates simultaneously harboring four types of resistance genes that cotransferred 2-7 resistance genes to recipient bacteria. The frequent occurrence of antimicrobial resistance, particularly in dogs and cats, suggests that antibiotic misuse may be driving multidrug-resistant Salmonella among pets.IMPORTANCEPet-associated human salmonellosis has been reported for many years, and antimicrobial resistance in pet-associated Salmonella has become a serious public health problem and has attracted increasing attention. There are no reports of Salmonella from pets and their antimicrobial resistance in Chongqing, China. In this study, we investigated the prevalence, serovar diversity, sequence types, and antimicrobial resistance of Salmonella strains isolated from pet fecal samples in Chongqing. In addition, β-lactamase, QRDR, PMQR, tetracycline and sulfonamide resistance genes, and mutations in QRDRs in Salmonella isolates were examined. Our findings demonstrated the diversity of serovars and sequence types of Salmonella isolates. The isolates were widely resistant to antimicrobials, notably with a high proportion of multidrug-resistant strains, which highlights the potential direct or indirect transmission of multidrug-resistant Salmonella from pets to humans. Furthermore, resistance genes were widely prevalent in the isolates, and most of the resistance genes were spread horizontally between strains.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meiyuan Zhao
- Laboratory of Veterinary Mycoplasmology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Xudong Wang
- Laboratory of Veterinary Mycoplasmology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Jiawei He
- Laboratory of Veterinary Mycoplasmology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Kexin Zhou
- Laboratory of Veterinary Mycoplasmology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Mengqi Xie
- Laboratory of Veterinary Mycoplasmology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Honglei Ding
- Laboratory of Veterinary Mycoplasmology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
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Kucinick M, Charles KE, Carter K, Edwards J, Costlow C, Wilkerson M, Seddon D, Marancik D. Comparative plasma biochemistry analyte data in nesting leatherback ( Dermochelys coriacea), foraging green ( Chelonia mydas) and foraging and nesting hawksbill ( Eretmochelys imbricata) sea turtles in Grenada, West Indies. CONSERVATION PHYSIOLOGY 2024; 12:coae028. [PMID: 38765884 PMCID: PMC11099945 DOI: 10.1093/conphys/coae028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2023] [Revised: 03/12/2024] [Accepted: 04/22/2024] [Indexed: 05/22/2024]
Abstract
Blood biochemistry represents a minimally invasive tool for monitoring sea turtle health, assessing injured sea turtles and supporting conservation strategies. In Grenada, West Indies, plasma biochemical variables were examined in 33 nesting leatherback (Dermochelys coriacea), 49 foraging green (Chelonia mydas), 49 foraging hawksbill (Eretmochelys imbricata) and 12 nesting hawksbill sea turtles sampled between 2017 and 2022. Plasma biochemistry reference intervals are described herein except for nesting hawksbills, which are represented by descriptive statistics due to the low sample size. Select analyte concentrations were positively correlated with curved carapace length in leatherbacks (chloride), green turtles (total protein, albumin and globulin) and foraging hawksbills (total protein, albumin and phosphorus). Cholesterol (7.8 mmol/l ± 1.6 SD) and triglyceride (6.9 mmol/l ± 1.9 SD) concentrations were significantly higher in leatherbacks compared to foraging green turtles, foraging hawksbills and nesting hawksbills (P < 0.001 for all). Cholesterol was significantly higher in nesting hawksbills compared to foraging green turtles (P = 0.050) and foraging hawksbills (P = 0.050). Foraging hawksbills demonstrated significantly higher aspartate transaminase activities than leatherbacks (P = 0.002), green turtles (P = 0.009) and nesting hawksbills (P < 0.001). Biochemical results provide baseline population health data and support guidance for treatments during clinical sea turtle rehabilitation efforts. They also provide insight into species-specific physiologic differences and preludes further studies to better characterize the impacts of life-stage class on biochemistry reference intervals to better support wild sea turtle populations in Grenada.
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Affiliation(s)
- Madison Kucinick
- Department of Pathobiology, St. George’s University School of Veterinary Medicine, True Blue, Grenada, West Indies
| | | | - Kenrith Carter
- Ocean Spirits, Inc, Levera, Grenada, West Indies
- Dr Carter Veterinary Services, St. David's, Grenada, West Indies
| | - Jonnel Edwards
- Department of Pathobiology, St. George’s University School of Veterinary Medicine, True Blue, Grenada, West Indies
| | - Catherine Costlow
- Department of Pathobiology, St. George’s University School of Veterinary Medicine, True Blue, Grenada, West Indies
| | - Melinda Wilkerson
- Department of Pathobiology, St. George’s University School of Veterinary Medicine, True Blue, Grenada, West Indies
| | - Dawn Seddon
- Department of Pathobiology, St. George’s University School of Veterinary Medicine, True Blue, Grenada, West Indies
| | - David Marancik
- Department of Pathobiology, St. George’s University School of Veterinary Medicine, True Blue, Grenada, West Indies
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Watler S, Toka FN, Lardé H, Johnson A, Butaye P. Epidemiology of Salmonella enterica subspecies enterica serotypes, isolated from imported, farmed and feral poultry in the Cayman Islands. Front Vet Sci 2024; 11:1331916. [PMID: 38406633 PMCID: PMC10884249 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2024.1331916] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2023] [Accepted: 01/18/2024] [Indexed: 02/27/2024] Open
Abstract
Non-typhoidal Salmonellae (NTS) are common foodborne pathogens throughout the world causing acute gastroenteritis. Compared to North America and Europe, there is little information on NTS in the Caribbean. Here we investigated the prevalence and characteristics of NTS present in the local poultry of the Cayman Islands to determine the public health risk. In total, we collected 156 samples. These were made up of boot swabs of 31 broiler farms and 31 layer farms (62 samples), paper bedding from 45 imported chick boxes, and 49 pooled cecum samples from feral chickens, each sample representing 10 individual chickens. Salmonella was isolated using the ISO 6579 protocol and isolates were characterized using Whole Genome Sequencing (WGS) analysis. Eighteen Salmonella isolates were obtained and comprised six S. enterica subspecies enterica serotypes and one subspecies houtenae serotype. Serotypes were: S. Kentucky (n = 9), S. Saintpaul (n = 5), S. Javiana (n = 1), S. Senftenberg (n = 1), S. Poona (n = 1) and S. Agona (n = 1). S. Kentucky strains were all ST152 and clonally related to poultry strains from the United states. S. Saintpaul ST50 strains showed clonality to North American strains. Over half of the strains (n = 11) contained resistance genes to at least two antibiotic groups and five strains were MDR, mainly those from imported day-old chicks. The blaCMY-2 gene was found in S. Kentucky from day-old chicks. Strains from feral poultry had no acquired AMR genes. While serotypes from feral poultry have been identified in human infections, they pose minimal risk due to their low virulence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simon Watler
- Department of Environmental Health, Ministry of Health and Wellness, Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine, Basseterre, Saint Kitts and Nevis
| | - Felix N. Toka
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine, Basseterre, Saint Kitts and Nevis
| | - Hélène Lardé
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine, Basseterre, Saint Kitts and Nevis
| | - Antoinette Johnson
- Department of Environmental Health, Ministry of Health and Wellness, Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands
| | - Patrick Butaye
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine, Basseterre, Saint Kitts and Nevis
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Pathobiology, Pharmacology and Zoological Medicine, Ghent University, Merelbeke, Belgium
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Public Health, Jockey Club College of Veterinary Medicine and Life Sciences, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR, China
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Wang W, Liu F, Li H, Li M, Hu Y, Li F, Xiao J, Dong Y. Emergence and genomic characteristics of multi-drug-resistant Salmonella in pet turtles and children with diarrhoea. Microb Genom 2024; 10:001164. [PMID: 38170193 PMCID: PMC10868623 DOI: 10.1099/mgen.0.001164] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2023] [Accepted: 12/07/2023] [Indexed: 01/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Pet turtles are a well-recognized source of human salmonellosis, posing a threat to human health, particularly children who commonly keep pet turtles. To date, the genomic characteristics of Salmonella among pet turtles and children has not been well described. We investigated the prevalence, antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and genomic characteristics of Salmonella from pet turtles in Beijing, China. In total, 9.6 % (46/480) of pet turtles were positive for Salmonella with S. Thompson being the dominant serovar (19/46) in 2019. Moreover, 80.4 % of Salmonella were multi-drug resistant (MDR) and 60.7 % were resistant to ampicillin, streptomycin, sulfonamides and tetracycline (ASSuT). We further compared the genomes of S. Thompson isolates from pet turtles (n=19) with those from children with diarrhoea (n=28) in the same region and year, most of which were sequence type (ST)26, with one novel ST7937 identified from a child-associated isolate. S. Thompson isolates from children with diarrhoea exhibited less resistance than isolates from pet turtles. Most MDR isolates possessed multiple AMR genes, including the AmpC β-lactamase-encoding genes bla DHA-15 and bla DHA-1 which co-occurred with the IncA/C and IncHI plasmid replicon types. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first time that the bla DHA-15 gene has been detected from Salmonella. Several pet turtle-associated S. Thompson isolates comprised phylogenetically close clusters with those from children with diarrhoea (<20 SNP differences). Bayesian analysis demonstrated that the Chinese ST26 S. Thompson strains had a recent evolutionary history and evolved into two major clades, with one clade acquiring various resistant plasmids. Our findings revealed the emergence of MDR Salmonella among pet turtles in China and provided evidence for the interspecies transmission of S. Thompson.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Wang
- NHC Key Laboratory of Food Safety Risk Assessment, China National Center for Food Safety Risk Assessment, Beijing, PR China
- Division IV of Food Safety Standards, China National Center for Food Safety Risk Assessment, Beijing, PR China
| | - Feng Liu
- Pharmaceutical Department, Qingdao Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital (Qingdao Hiser Hospital), Qingdao Hiser Hospital Affiliated of Qingdao University, Qingdao, Shandong, PR China
| | - Hui Li
- NHC Key Laboratory of Food Safety Risk Assessment, China National Center for Food Safety Risk Assessment, Beijing, PR China
| | - Menghan Li
- NHC Key Laboratory of Food Safety Risk Assessment, China National Center for Food Safety Risk Assessment, Beijing, PR China
| | - Yujie Hu
- NHC Key Laboratory of Food Safety Risk Assessment, China National Center for Food Safety Risk Assessment, Beijing, PR China
| | - Fengqin Li
- NHC Key Laboratory of Food Safety Risk Assessment, China National Center for Food Safety Risk Assessment, Beijing, PR China
| | - Jing Xiao
- NHC Key Laboratory of Food Safety Risk Assessment, China National Center for Food Safety Risk Assessment, Beijing, PR China
- Division IV of Food Safety Standards, China National Center for Food Safety Risk Assessment, Beijing, PR China
| | - Yinping Dong
- NHC Key Laboratory of Food Safety Risk Assessment, China National Center for Food Safety Risk Assessment, Beijing, PR China
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Jorge VF, Uriel AZ, Nidia LS, Hector FV, Paul LQC, Jorge VR, Ingmar SC, Alan ZN, Alonso AA, Vicente OA, Adrian CR. Potentially Pathogenic Bacteria in Nesting Olive Ridley Turtles in Northwestern Mexico. ECOHEALTH 2023; 20:390-401. [PMID: 38110613 DOI: 10.1007/s10393-023-01662-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2022] [Accepted: 10/03/2023] [Indexed: 12/20/2023]
Abstract
Olive ridleys (Lepidochelys olivacea) are the most common sea turtle found in the Gulf of California. Unfortunately, the bacterial flora of nesting olive ridley turtles is still unknown. We conducted a study to identify, characterize, serotype, and determine the antibiotic resistance of potentially pathogenic bacteria isolated from olive ridley turtles nesting in northwestern Mexico. Bacteria were isolated and identified from the oral cavity and cloaca of 47 postnesting turtles. Escherichia coli and Vibrio parahaemolyticus were characterized, and antibiotic resistance testing was performed. One hundred bacteria belonging to 21 species were isolated, 53 from the oral cavity and 47 from the cloaca, the most prevalent being Pseudomonas aeruginosa, followed by Aeromonas hydrophila, Vibrio alginolyticus, Vibrio parahaemolyticus, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and E. coli, among others. Moreover, two to three different bacterial species were found co-colonizing both anatomical sites in some turtles. E. coli phylogroups B1, A, F, and unknown were identified as diarrheagenic E. coli (enteroaggregative and enteropathogenic E. coli). O1, O4, K8, K12, OUT, and KUT of V. parahaemolyticus serogroups were identified, also comprising pathogenic and nonpathogenic strains. Finally, 100% of the bacterial species tested were antibiotic resistant, and both MDR and XDR strains were found. In conclusion, olive ridley turtles are colonized by a diversity of bacterial species with a high rate of antibiotic resistance, some with pathogenic potential to turtles, representing a health risk factor for the species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valdés-Flores Jorge
- Programa Doctorado en Ciencias Biológicas, Facultad de Biología, Universidad Autónoma de Sinaloa, Culiacan, Sinaloa, Mexico
| | - Angulo-Zamudio Uriel
- School of Medicine, CIASaP, Autonomous University of Sinaloa, 80246, Culiacan, Sinaloa, Mexico
| | - León-Sicairos Nidia
- School of Medicine, CIASaP, Autonomous University of Sinaloa, 80246, Culiacan, Sinaloa, Mexico
- Pediatric Hospital of Sinaloa, 80200, Culiacan, Sinaloa, Mexico
| | - Flores-Villaseñor Hector
- School of Medicine, CIASaP, Autonomous University of Sinaloa, 80246, Culiacan, Sinaloa, Mexico
- The Sinaloa State Public Health Laboratory, Secretariat of Health, 80020, Culiacan, Sinaloa, Mexico
| | | | - Velázquez-Román Jorge
- School of Medicine, CIASaP, Autonomous University of Sinaloa, 80246, Culiacan, Sinaloa, Mexico
| | - Sosa-Cornejo Ingmar
- Programa Doctorado en Ciencias Biológicas, Facultad de Biología, Universidad Autónoma de Sinaloa, Culiacan, Sinaloa, Mexico
| | | | - Aguirre A Alonso
- Department of Fish, Wildlife and Conservation Biology, Warner College of Natural Resources, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, USA
| | - Olimón-Andalón Vicente
- Programa Doctorado en Ciencias Biológicas, Facultad de Biología, Universidad Autónoma de Sinaloa, Culiacan, Sinaloa, Mexico
| | - Canizalez-Román Adrian
- School of Medicine, CIASaP, Autonomous University of Sinaloa, 80246, Culiacan, Sinaloa, Mexico.
- The Women's Hospital, Secretariat of Health, 80127, Culiacan, Mexico.
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Ebani VV. Bacterial Infections in Sea Turtles. Vet Sci 2023; 10:vetsci10050333. [PMID: 37235416 DOI: 10.3390/vetsci10050333] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2023] [Revised: 04/25/2023] [Accepted: 05/04/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Sea turtles are important for the maintenance of marine and beach ecosystems, but they are seriously endangered due to factors mainly related to human activities and climate change such as pollution, temperature increase, and predation. Infectious and parasitic diseases may contribute to reducing the number of sea turtles. Bacteria are widespread in marine environments and, depending on the species, may act as primary or opportunistic pathogens. Most of them are able to infect other animal species, including humans, in which they can cause mild or severe diseases. Therefore, direct or indirect contact of humans with sea turtles, their products, and environment where they live represent a One Health threat. Chlamydiae, Mycobacteria, and Salmonellae are known zoonotic agents able to cause mild or severe diseases in sea turtles, other animals, and humans. However, other bacteria that are potentially zoonotic, including those that are antimicrobially resistant, are involved in different pathologies of marine turtles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valentina Virginia Ebani
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Pisa, Viale delle Piagge 2, 56124 Pisa, Italy
- Centre for Climate Change Impact, University of Pisa, Via del Borghetto 80, 56124 Pisa, Italy
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Charles KE, Morrall CE, Edwards JJ, Carter KD, Afema JA, Butler BP, Marancik DP. Environmental and Nesting Variables Associated with Atlantic Leatherback Sea Turtle ( Dermochelys coriacea) Embryonic and Hatching Success Rates in Grenada, West Indies. Animals (Basel) 2023; 13:ani13040685. [PMID: 36830474 PMCID: PMC9951857 DOI: 10.3390/ani13040685] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2022] [Revised: 01/20/2023] [Accepted: 02/02/2023] [Indexed: 02/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Annual monitoring of leatherback sea turtle (Dermochelys coriacea) nesting grounds in Grenada, West Indies has identified relatively low hatch rates compared to worldwide trends. This study investigated the impact of selected environmental variables on leatherback sea turtle embryonic development and hatching success rates on Levera Beach in Grenada between 2015-2019. The mean number of nests per year and eggs per nest were 667.6 ± 361.6 and 80.7 ± 23.0 sd, respectively. Within excavated nests, 35.6% ± 22.0 sd of eggs successfully developed embryos and 30.6% ± 22.6 sd of eggs successfully hatched. The number of eggs per nest, along with embryo and hatching success rates, differed by nesting year. Embryo development success rate was associated with nest location, and both embryo development and hatching success rates were positively associated with nest depth and negatively associated with the percentage of eggs exhibiting microbial growth and with the presence of inspissated yolk. There was no embryo development or hatchling success association with month of the nesting season, distance from the high-water mark, distance from vegetation, nor maternal carapace length. The mean nest temperature was 31.7 °C ± 1.64 sd and mean temperatures during the middle third of egg incubation suggest clutches are highly skewed towards a preponderance of female hatchlings. Histopathologic findings in hatchling mortalities included severe, acute, multifocal, heterophilic bronchopneumonia with intralesional bacteria in 4/50 (8%) hatchlings. Data from this study guide conservation strategies by identifying risk factors and further avenues of research needed to support reproductive success of leatherback sea turtles in Grenada and the greater Caribbean region.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kate E. Charles
- Department of Pathobiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, St. George’s University, True Blue, West Indies, Grenada
- Ocean Spirits, Inc., West Indies, Grenada
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +1473-537-2512
| | - Clare E. Morrall
- Ocean Spirits, Inc., West Indies, Grenada
- Department of Biology, Ecology, and Conservation, School of Arts and Sciences, St. George’s University, True Blue, West Indies, Grenada
| | - Jonnel J. Edwards
- Department of Pathobiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, St. George’s University, True Blue, West Indies, Grenada
| | - Kenrith D. Carter
- Ocean Spirits, Inc., West Indies, Grenada
- Dr Carter Veterinary Services, West Indies, Grenada
| | - Josephine A. Afema
- Department of Pathobiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, St. George’s University, True Blue, West Indies, Grenada
| | - Brian P. Butler
- Department of Pathobiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, St. George’s University, True Blue, West Indies, Grenada
| | - David P. Marancik
- Department of Pathobiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, St. George’s University, True Blue, West Indies, Grenada
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Hernandez SM, Maurer JJ, Yabsley MJ, Peters VE, Presotto A, Murray MH, Curry S, Sanchez S, Gerner-Smidt P, Hise K, Huang J, Johnson K, Kwan T, Lipp EK. Free-Living Aquatic Turtles as Sentinels of Salmonella spp. for Water Bodies. Front Vet Sci 2021; 8:674973. [PMID: 34368271 PMCID: PMC8339271 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2021.674973] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2021] [Accepted: 06/25/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Reptile-associated human salmonellosis cases have increased recently in the United States. It is not uncommon to find healthy chelonians shedding Salmonella enterica. The rate and frequency of bacterial shedding are not fully understood, and most studies have focused on captive vs. free-living chelonians and often in relation to an outbreak. Their ecology and significance as sentinels are important to understanding Salmonella transmission. In 2012-2013, Salmonella prevalence was determined for free-living aquatic turtles in man-made ponds in Clarke and Oconee Counties, in northern Georgia (USA) and the correlation between species, basking ecology, demographics (age/sex), season, or landcover with prevalence was assessed. The genetic relatedness between turtle and archived, human isolates, as well as, other archived animal and water isolates reported from this study area was examined. Salmonella was isolated from 45 of 194 turtles (23.2%, range 14-100%) across six species. Prevalence was higher in juveniles (36%) than adults (20%), higher in females (33%) than males (18%), and higher in bottom-dwelling species (31%; common and loggerhead musk turtles, common snapping turtles) than basking species (15%; sliders, painted turtles). Salmonella prevalence decreased as forest cover, canopy cover, and distance from roads increased. Prevalence was also higher in low-density, residential areas that have 20-49% impervious surface. A total of 9 different serovars of two subspecies were isolated including 3 S. enterica subsp. arizonae and 44 S. enterica subsp. enterica (two turtles had two serotypes isolated from each). Among the S. enterica serovars, Montevideo (n = 13) and Rubislaw (n = 11) were predominant. Salmonella serovars Muenchen, Newport, Mississippi, Inverness, Brazil, and Paratyphi B. var L(+) tartrate positive (Java) were also isolated. Importantly, 85% of the turtle isolates matched pulsed-field gel electrophoresis patterns of human isolates, including those reported from Georgia. Collectively, these results suggest that turtles accumulate Salmonella present in water bodies, and they may be effective sentinels of environmental contamination. Ultimately, the Salmonella prevalence rates in wild aquatic turtles, especially those strains shared with humans, highlight a significant public health concern.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sonia M Hernandez
- Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, United States.,Department of Population Health, Southeastern Cooperative Wildlife Disease Study, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, United States
| | - John J Maurer
- Department of Population Health, Poultry Diagnostic and Research Center, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, United States
| | - Michael J Yabsley
- Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, United States.,Department of Population Health, Southeastern Cooperative Wildlife Disease Study, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, United States
| | - Valerie E Peters
- Department of Biological Sciences, Eastern Kentucky University, Richmond, KY, United States
| | - Andrea Presotto
- Department of Geography, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, United States
| | - Maureen H Murray
- Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, United States.,Department of Population Health, Southeastern Cooperative Wildlife Disease Study, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, United States.,Davee Center for Epidemiology and Endocrinology and the Urban Wildlife Institute, Lincoln Park Zoo, Chicago, IL, United States
| | - Shannon Curry
- Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, United States.,Department of Population Health, Southeastern Cooperative Wildlife Disease Study, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, United States
| | - Susan Sanchez
- Athens Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, United States
| | - Peter Gerner-Smidt
- Enteric Diseases Laboratory Branch, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Kelley Hise
- Enteric Diseases Laboratory Branch, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Joyce Huang
- Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, United States.,Department of Population Health, Southeastern Cooperative Wildlife Disease Study, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, United States
| | - Kasey Johnson
- Department of Population Health, Poultry Diagnostic and Research Center, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, United States
| | - Tiffany Kwan
- Department of Population Health, Poultry Diagnostic and Research Center, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, United States
| | - Erin K Lipp
- Department of Environmental Health Science, College of Public Health, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, United States
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