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Lazarkevich I, Engibarov S, Mitova S, Popova S, Vacheva E, Stanchev N, Eneva R, Gocheva Y, Lalovska I, Paunova-Krasteva T, Ilieva Y, Najdenski H. Pathogenic Potential of Opportunistic Gram-Negative Bacteria Isolated from the Cloacal Microbiota of Free-Living Reptile Hosts Originating from Bulgaria. Life (Basel) 2024; 14:566. [PMID: 38792588 PMCID: PMC11122471 DOI: 10.3390/life14050566] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2024] [Revised: 04/23/2024] [Accepted: 04/25/2024] [Indexed: 05/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Reptiles are known to be asymptomatic carriers of various zoonotic pathogens. A number of Gram-negative opportunistic commensals are causative agents of bacterial infections in immunocompromised or stressed hosts and are disseminated by reptiles, whose epidemiological role should not be neglected. Since most studies have focused on exotic species, in captivity or as pet animals, the role of wild populations as a potential source of pathogens still remains understudied. In the present study, we isolated a variety of Gram-negative bacteria from the cloacal microbiota of free-living lizard and tortoise hosts (Reptilia: Sauria and Testudines) from the Bulgarian herpetofauna. We evaluated their pathogenic potential according to their antibiotic susceptibility patterns, biofilm-forming capacity, and extracellular production of some enzymes considered to play roles as virulence factors. To our knowledge, the phenotypic manifestation of virulence factors/enzymatic activity and biofilm formation in wild reptile microbiota has not yet been widely investigated. All isolates were found to be capable of forming biofilms to some extent and 29.6% of them could be categorized as strong producers. Two strains proved to be excellent producers. The majority of the isolated strains showed extracellular production of at least one exoenzyme. The most pronounced pathogenicity could be attributed to the newly isolated Pseudomonas aeruginosa strain due to its multiresistance, excellent biofilm formation, and expression of exoenzymes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irina Lazarkevich
- The Stephan Angeloff Institute of Microbiology, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, 26 Georgi Bonchev Str., 1113 Sofia, Bulgaria; (S.E.); (S.M.); (R.E.); (Y.G.); (T.P.-K.); (Y.I.); (H.N.)
| | - Stephan Engibarov
- The Stephan Angeloff Institute of Microbiology, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, 26 Georgi Bonchev Str., 1113 Sofia, Bulgaria; (S.E.); (S.M.); (R.E.); (Y.G.); (T.P.-K.); (Y.I.); (H.N.)
| | - Simona Mitova
- The Stephan Angeloff Institute of Microbiology, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, 26 Georgi Bonchev Str., 1113 Sofia, Bulgaria; (S.E.); (S.M.); (R.E.); (Y.G.); (T.P.-K.); (Y.I.); (H.N.)
| | - Steliyana Popova
- Faculty of Biology, Sofia University “St. Kliment Ohridski”, 8 Dragan Tsankov Blvd., 1164 Sofia, Bulgaria; (S.P.); (N.S.)
| | - Emiliya Vacheva
- Institute of Biodiversity and Ecosystem Research, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, 1 Tsar Osvoboditel Blvd., 1000 Sofia, Bulgaria;
| | - Nikola Stanchev
- Faculty of Biology, Sofia University “St. Kliment Ohridski”, 8 Dragan Tsankov Blvd., 1164 Sofia, Bulgaria; (S.P.); (N.S.)
| | - Rumyana Eneva
- The Stephan Angeloff Institute of Microbiology, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, 26 Georgi Bonchev Str., 1113 Sofia, Bulgaria; (S.E.); (S.M.); (R.E.); (Y.G.); (T.P.-K.); (Y.I.); (H.N.)
| | - Yana Gocheva
- The Stephan Angeloff Institute of Microbiology, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, 26 Georgi Bonchev Str., 1113 Sofia, Bulgaria; (S.E.); (S.M.); (R.E.); (Y.G.); (T.P.-K.); (Y.I.); (H.N.)
| | - Iva Lalovska
- Tortoise Rescue, Rehabilitation and Breeding Center, Gea Chelonia Foundation, 10 Shipka Street, Banya Village, 8239 Burgas, Bulgaria;
| | - Tsvetelina Paunova-Krasteva
- The Stephan Angeloff Institute of Microbiology, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, 26 Georgi Bonchev Str., 1113 Sofia, Bulgaria; (S.E.); (S.M.); (R.E.); (Y.G.); (T.P.-K.); (Y.I.); (H.N.)
| | - Yana Ilieva
- The Stephan Angeloff Institute of Microbiology, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, 26 Georgi Bonchev Str., 1113 Sofia, Bulgaria; (S.E.); (S.M.); (R.E.); (Y.G.); (T.P.-K.); (Y.I.); (H.N.)
| | - Hristo Najdenski
- The Stephan Angeloff Institute of Microbiology, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, 26 Georgi Bonchev Str., 1113 Sofia, Bulgaria; (S.E.); (S.M.); (R.E.); (Y.G.); (T.P.-K.); (Y.I.); (H.N.)
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Mlangeni LN, Ramatla T, Lekota KE, Price C, Thekisoe O, Weldon C. Occurrence, Antimicrobial Resistance, and Virulence Profiles of Salmonella Serovars Isolated from Wild Reptiles in South Africa. Int J Microbiol 2024; 2024:5213895. [PMID: 38222969 PMCID: PMC10787053 DOI: 10.1155/2024/5213895] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2023] [Revised: 12/19/2023] [Accepted: 12/29/2023] [Indexed: 01/16/2024] Open
Abstract
Reptiles are carriers of an array of microorganisms, including significant zoonotic bacteria of the genus Salmonella, which cause a disease referred to as salmonellosis that affects both animals and humans. This study investigated the occurrence of Salmonella serovars in wild reptiles at Timbavati Private Game Reserve in Limpopo Province, South Africa, and examined their virulence and antimicrobial resistance gene profiles. A total of 19 wild reptiles were sampled, which resulted in 30 presumptive Salmonella isolates. The isolates were identified using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) by amplifying the invA gene and were further confirmed by 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Salmonella serovars were detected in chameleons (36.8%), lizards (31.6%), snakes (15.8%), and tortoises (15.8%). The use of 16S rRNA gene sequencing revealed that Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica serovar Salamae (30%), S. enterica subsp. enterica (16.7%), S. enterica subsp. enterica serovar Typhimurium (13.3%), and S. enterica subsp. enterica serovar Indiana (13.3%) were the four most common subspecies among the investigated 30 isolates. Detected virulence genes included pagN (100%), hilA (96.7%), ssrB (96.7%), prgH (86.7%), and marT (86.7%). The isolates exhibited resistance to nalidixic acid (43.3%) and kanamycin (43.3%), followed by streptomycin (16.7%) and ciprofloxacin (3.3%). Antibiotic-resistant genes were detected as follows: strA, strB, qnrA, qnrS, parC, aadA, aac(6')-Ib, and aac(6')-Ib-cr at 33.3%, 6.7%, 16.7, 13.3%, 10%, 23.3%, 6.7%, and 10%, respectively. The findings highlight the necessity of educational initiatives aimed at reducing reptile-related infections. Effective antibiotic treatment appears promising for infection, given the minimal drug resistance observed in reptile Salmonella serovars in the current study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lungile N. Mlangeni
- Unit for Environmental Sciences and Management, North-West University, Potchefstroom 2531, South Africa
| | - Tsepo Ramatla
- Unit for Environmental Sciences and Management, North-West University, Potchefstroom 2531, South Africa
- Gastrointestinal Research Unit, Department of Surgery, School of Clinical Medicine, University of the Free State, Bloemfontein 9300, South Africa
| | - Kgaugelo E. Lekota
- Unit for Environmental Sciences and Management, North-West University, Potchefstroom 2531, South Africa
| | - Cormac Price
- Unit for Environmental Sciences and Management, North-West University, Potchefstroom 2531, South Africa
| | - Oriel Thekisoe
- Unit for Environmental Sciences and Management, North-West University, Potchefstroom 2531, South Africa
| | - Che Weldon
- Unit for Environmental Sciences and Management, North-West University, Potchefstroom 2531, South Africa
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Santana-Hernández KM, Rodríguez-Ponce E, Medina IR, Acosta-Hernández B, Priestnall SL, Vega S, Marin C, Cerdà-Cuéllar M, Marco-Fuertes A, Ayats T, García Beltrán T, Lupiola-Gómez PA. One Health Approach: Invasive California Kingsnake ( Lampropeltis californiae) as an Important Source of Antimicrobial Drug-Resistant Salmonella Clones on Gran Canaria Island. Animals (Basel) 2023; 13:1790. [PMID: 37889724 PMCID: PMC10251910 DOI: 10.3390/ani13111790] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2023] [Revised: 05/24/2023] [Accepted: 05/25/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
The increase in the reptile population has led to a rise in the number of zoonotic infections due to close contact with reptiles, with reptile-associated salmonellosis being particularly relevant. California kingsnake invasion not only threatens the endemic reptile population of the island of Gran Canaria (Spain) but also poses serious public health problems by spreading zoonotic pathogens and their antimicrobial resistance (AMR) to the environment. Thus, the aim of this study was to assess the occurrence, genetic diversity, and AMR among Salmonella spp. strains isolated from California kingsnakes in Gran Canaria Island (Spain). Of 73 invasive individuals captured, 20.5% carried Salmonella spp., belonging to different subspecies and serovars, with subsp. salamae as the most abundant. Pulsed-field electrophoresis showed high genetic diversity among subsp. salamae isolates, and among these, 73.3% showed resistance to at least one of the antimicrobials tested. In conclusion, the present study revealed the importance of wild invasive California kingsnakes as reservoirs of drug-resistant Salmonella spp. that could pose a direct threat to livestock and humans. Identification of drug-resistant Salmonella strains in wildlife provides valuable information on potential routes of transmission that involve risks to public and animal health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kevin M. Santana-Hernández
- Departamento de Patología Animal, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, 35413 Arucas, Spain; (K.M.S.-H.); (E.R.-P.); (I.R.M.); (B.A.-H.)
| | - Eligia Rodríguez-Ponce
- Departamento de Patología Animal, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, 35413 Arucas, Spain; (K.M.S.-H.); (E.R.-P.); (I.R.M.); (B.A.-H.)
| | - Inmaculada Rosario Medina
- Departamento de Patología Animal, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, 35413 Arucas, Spain; (K.M.S.-H.); (E.R.-P.); (I.R.M.); (B.A.-H.)
- Instituto Universitario de Sanidad Animal (IUSA), Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, 35413 Arucas, Spain
| | - Begoña Acosta-Hernández
- Departamento de Patología Animal, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, 35413 Arucas, Spain; (K.M.S.-H.); (E.R.-P.); (I.R.M.); (B.A.-H.)
- Instituto Universitario de Sanidad Animal (IUSA), Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, 35413 Arucas, Spain
| | - Simon L. Priestnall
- Department of Pathobiology and Population Sciences, The Royal Veterinary College, Hatfield AL9 7TA, UK;
| | - Santiago Vega
- Facultad de Veterinaria, Instituto de Ciencias Biomédicas, Universidad Cardenal Herrera-CEU, CEU Universities, 46115 Alfara del Patriarca, Spain; (C.M.)
| | - Clara Marin
- Facultad de Veterinaria, Instituto de Ciencias Biomédicas, Universidad Cardenal Herrera-CEU, CEU Universities, 46115 Alfara del Patriarca, Spain; (C.M.)
| | - Marta Cerdà-Cuéllar
- Unitat Mixta d’Investigació IRTA-UAB en Sanitat Animal, Centre de Recerca en Sanitat Animal (CReSA), Campus de la Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), 08193 Barcelona, Spain
- IRTA, Programa de Sanitat Animal, Centre de Recerca en Sanitat Animal (CReSA), Campus de la Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), 08193 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Ana Marco-Fuertes
- Facultad de Veterinaria, Instituto de Ciencias Biomédicas, Universidad Cardenal Herrera-CEU, CEU Universities, 46115 Alfara del Patriarca, Spain; (C.M.)
| | - Teresa Ayats
- Unitat Mixta d’Investigació IRTA-UAB en Sanitat Animal, Centre de Recerca en Sanitat Animal (CReSA), Campus de la Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), 08193 Barcelona, Spain
- IRTA, Programa de Sanitat Animal, Centre de Recerca en Sanitat Animal (CReSA), Campus de la Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), 08193 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Teresa García Beltrán
- Instituto Universitario de Sanidad Animal (IUSA), Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, 35413 Arucas, Spain
| | - Pablo A. Lupiola-Gómez
- Departamento de Ciencias Clínicas, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, 35413 Arucas, Spain
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Merkevičienė L, Butrimaitė-Ambrozevičienė Č, Paškevičius G, Pikūnienė A, Virgailis M, Dailidavičienė J, Daukšienė A, Šiugždinienė R, Ruzauskas M. Serological Variety and Antimicrobial Resistance in Salmonella Isolated from Reptiles. BIOLOGY 2022; 11:biology11060836. [PMID: 35741357 PMCID: PMC9219617 DOI: 10.3390/biology11060836] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2022] [Revised: 05/24/2022] [Accepted: 05/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Salmonella enterica is one of the best adapted bacterial pathogens causing infections in a wide variety of vertebrate species. The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of Salmonella in different reptile species and to evaluate their serological variety and patterns of antimicrobial resistance. In total, 97 samples from 25 wild and domesticated reptile species were investigated in Lithuania. Serological variety, as well as phenotypical and genotypical resistance to antimicrobials, were investigated. Fifty isolates of Salmonella were obtained from the ninety-seven tested samples (51.5%; 95% CI 41.2−61.2). A significantly higher prevalence of Salmonella was detected in domesticated individuals (61.3%; 95% CI 50.0−71.5) compared with wild ones (18.2%; 95% CI 7.3−38.5). All isolates belonged to a single species, Salmonella enterica. Results demonstrated that reptiles carry a large variety of Salmonella serovars. Thirty-four isolates (68%) of Salmonella were resistant to at least one antimicrobial drug. The most frequent resistance of the isolates was to streptomycin (26%), cefoxitin, gentamicin, tetracycline and chloramphenicol (16%). Genes encoding resistance to tetracyclines, aminoglycosides, sulphonamides and trimethoprim were detected. No integrons that are associated with horizontal gene transfer were found. Data obtained provided knowledge about the adaptation of Salmonella in reptiles. Healthy individuals, irrespective of their origin, often carry Salmonella, including multi-resistant strains. Due to its large serological diversity, zoonotic potential and antimicrobial resistance, Salmonella in reptiles poses a risk to other animals and humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lina Merkevičienė
- Department of Anatomy and Physiology, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, Tilžės g. 18, LT-47181 Kaunas, Lithuania; (L.M.); (J.D.); (A.D.)
| | - Česlova Butrimaitė-Ambrozevičienė
- Department of Bacteriological Investigations, National Food and Veterinary Risk Assessment Institute, J. Kairiūkščio g. 10, LT-08409 Vilniu, Lithuania;
| | - Gerardas Paškevičius
- Life Sciences Center, Vilnius University, Saulėtekio al. 7, LT-10257 Vilnius, Lithuania;
| | - Alma Pikūnienė
- Lithuanian Zoological Garden, Radvilėnų pl. 21, 50299 Kaunas, Lithuania;
| | - Marius Virgailis
- Microbiology and Virology Institute, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, Tilžės g. 18, LT-47181 Kaunas, Lithuania; (M.V.); (R.Š.)
| | - Jurgita Dailidavičienė
- Department of Anatomy and Physiology, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, Tilžės g. 18, LT-47181 Kaunas, Lithuania; (L.M.); (J.D.); (A.D.)
| | - Agila Daukšienė
- Department of Anatomy and Physiology, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, Tilžės g. 18, LT-47181 Kaunas, Lithuania; (L.M.); (J.D.); (A.D.)
- Institute of Animal Rearing Technologies, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, Tilžės g. 18, LT-47181 Kaunas, Lithuania
| | - Rita Šiugždinienė
- Microbiology and Virology Institute, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, Tilžės g. 18, LT-47181 Kaunas, Lithuania; (M.V.); (R.Š.)
| | - Modestas Ruzauskas
- Department of Anatomy and Physiology, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, Tilžės g. 18, LT-47181 Kaunas, Lithuania; (L.M.); (J.D.); (A.D.)
- Microbiology and Virology Institute, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, Tilžės g. 18, LT-47181 Kaunas, Lithuania; (M.V.); (R.Š.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +370-615-15240
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Pawlak A, Morka K, Bury S, Antoniewicz Z, Wzorek A, Cieniuch G, Korzeniowska-Kowal A, Cichoń M, Bugla-Płoskońska G. Cloacal Gram-Negative Microbiota in Free-Living Grass Snake Natrix natrix from Poland. Curr Microbiol 2020; 77:2166-2171. [PMID: 32424607 PMCID: PMC7415037 DOI: 10.1007/s00284-020-02021-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2019] [Accepted: 05/07/2020] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
Reptiles appear to be an important vector for Gram-negative pathogens, therefore, they are epidemiologically relevant. However, the composition of reptilian microbiota has been poorly recognized so far. The majority of studies concern exotic reptiles as asymptomatic carriers of Salmonella serovars. Studies of other intestinal bacteria of reptiles are rare. Only recently, the microbiota of free-living European reptiles have been investigated, however, on the basis of small samples, mainly in protected areas. Here, we aim to investigate cloacal Gram-negative microbiota of free-living Natrix natrix. Snakes (N = 45) used in the study were collected in Kraków (Poland) and its vicinity. Nineteen species of Gram-negative bacteria were isolated. The most common species were: Aeromonas hydrophila, Morganella morganii, Proteus vulgaris, Salmonella spp. The bacteria prevalent in N. natrix cloacal swabs are likely to represent the natural intestinal Gram-negative microbiota of the examined snakes. Importantly, the identified bacteria are pathogenic to humans, which clearly highlights the epidemiological potential of free-living N. natrix. The risk of infection is high for immunocompromised humans, children (under 5 years old), elderly persons, and pregnant women. Our study provides the largest dataset on intestinal Gram-negative microbiota of wild snakes. The presence of multiple human pathogens determined by us calls for the necessity of further studies on reptile-transmitted bacteria in anthropogenic environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aleksandra Pawlak
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Institute of Genetics and Microbiology, University of Wrocław, Stanisława Przybyszewskiego 63-77, 51-148, Wrocław, Poland
| | - Katarzyna Morka
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Institute of Genetics and Microbiology, University of Wrocław, Stanisława Przybyszewskiego 63-77, 51-148, Wrocław, Poland
| | - Stanisław Bury
- Institute of Environmental Sciences, Jagiellonian University, Gronostajowa 7, 30-387, Kraków, Poland
| | - Zuzanna Antoniewicz
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Institute of Genetics and Microbiology, University of Wrocław, Stanisława Przybyszewskiego 63-77, 51-148, Wrocław, Poland
| | - Anna Wzorek
- Department of Immunology of Infectious Diseases, Hirszfeld Institute of Immunology and Experimental Therapy, Polish Academy of Sciences, Weigla 12, 53-114, Wrocław, Poland
| | - Gabriela Cieniuch
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Institute of Genetics and Microbiology, University of Wrocław, Stanisława Przybyszewskiego 63-77, 51-148, Wrocław, Poland
| | - Agnieszka Korzeniowska-Kowal
- Department of Immunology of Infectious Diseases, Hirszfeld Institute of Immunology and Experimental Therapy, Polish Academy of Sciences, Weigla 12, 53-114, Wrocław, Poland
| | - Mariusz Cichoń
- Institute of Environmental Sciences, Jagiellonian University, Gronostajowa 7, 30-387, Kraków, Poland
| | - Gabriela Bugla-Płoskońska
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Institute of Genetics and Microbiology, University of Wrocław, Stanisława Przybyszewskiego 63-77, 51-148, Wrocław, Poland.
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6
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Dudek B, Książczyk M, Krzyżewska E, Rogala K, Kuczkowski M, Woźniak-Biel A, Korzekwa K, Korzeniowska-Kowal A, Ratajszczak R, Wieliczko A, Rybka J, Bugla-Płoskońska G. Comparison of the phylogenetic analysis of PFGE profiles and the characteristic of virulence genes in clinical and reptile associated Salmonella strains. BMC Vet Res 2019; 15:312. [PMID: 31477105 PMCID: PMC6721270 DOI: 10.1186/s12917-019-2019-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2018] [Accepted: 07/23/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Salmonella is generally considered as a human pathogen causing typhoid fever and gastrointestinal infections called salmonellosis, with S. Enteritidis and S. Typhimurium strains as the main causative agents. Salmonella enterica strains have a wide host array including humans, birds, pigs, horses, dogs, cats, reptiles, amphibians and insects. Up to 90% of reptiles are the carriers of one or more serovars of Salmonella. Extraintestinal bacterial infections associated with reptiles pose serious health threat to humans. The import of exotic species of reptiles as pet animals to Europe correlates with the emergence of Salmonella serotypes, which not found previously in European countries. The presented study is a new report about Salmonella serotypes associated with exotic reptiles in Poland. The goal of this research was to examine the zoonotic potential of Salmonella strains isolated from reptiles by comparative analysis with S. Enteritidis strains occurring in human population and causing salmonellosis. RESULTS The main findings of our work show that exotic reptiles are asymptomatic carriers of Salmonella serovars other than correlated with salmonellosis in humans (S. Enteritidis, S. Typhimurium). Among the isolated Salmonella strains we identified serovars that have not been reported earlier in Poland, for example belonging to subspecies diarizonae and salamae. Restriction analysis with Pulsed-field Gel Electrophoresis (PFGE), showed a great diversity among Salmonella strains isolated from reptiles. Almost all tested strains had distinct restriction patterns. While S. Enteritidis strains were quite homogeneous in term of phylogenetic relations. Most of the tested VGs were common for the two tested groups of Salmonella strains. CONCLUSIONS The obtained results show that Salmonella strains isolated from reptiles share most of virulence genes with the S. Enteritidis strains and exhibit a greater phylogenetic diversity than the tested S. Enteritidis population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bartłomiej Dudek
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of Wrocław, 51-148 Wrocław, Poland
| | - Marta Książczyk
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of Wrocław, 51-148 Wrocław, Poland
| | - Eva Krzyżewska
- Department of Immunology of Infectious Diseases, Hirszfeld Institute of Immunology and Experimental Therapy, Polish Academy of Sciences, 53-114 Wrocław, Poland
| | - Klaudia Rogala
- Department of Immunology of Infectious Diseases, Hirszfeld Institute of Immunology and Experimental Therapy, Polish Academy of Sciences, 53-114 Wrocław, Poland
| | - Maciej Kuczkowski
- Department of Epizootiology and Clinic of Birds and Exotic Animals, Wrocław University of Environmental and Life Sciences, 50-366 Wrocław, Poland
| | - Anna Woźniak-Biel
- Department of Epizootiology and Clinic of Birds and Exotic Animals, Wrocław University of Environmental and Life Sciences, 50-366 Wrocław, Poland
| | - Kamila Korzekwa
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of Wrocław, 51-148 Wrocław, Poland
| | - Agnieszka Korzeniowska-Kowal
- Department of Immunology of Infectious Diseases, Hirszfeld Institute of Immunology and Experimental Therapy, Polish Academy of Sciences, 53-114 Wrocław, Poland
| | | | - Alina Wieliczko
- Department of Epizootiology and Clinic of Birds and Exotic Animals, Wrocław University of Environmental and Life Sciences, 50-366 Wrocław, Poland
| | - Jacek Rybka
- Department of Immunology of Infectious Diseases, Hirszfeld Institute of Immunology and Experimental Therapy, Polish Academy of Sciences, 53-114 Wrocław, Poland
| | - Gabriela Bugla-Płoskońska
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of Wrocław, 51-148 Wrocław, Poland
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7
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Pulford CV, Wenner N, Redway ML, Rodwell EV, Webster HJ, Escudero R, Kröger C, Canals R, Rowe W, Lopez J, Hall N, Rowley PD, Timofte D, Harrison RA, Baker KS, Hinton JCD. The diversity, evolution and ecology of Salmonella in venomous snakes. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2019; 13:e0007169. [PMID: 31163033 PMCID: PMC6548357 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0007169] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2019] [Accepted: 05/08/2019] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Reptile-associated Salmonella bacteria are a major, but often neglected cause of both gastrointestinal and bloodstream infection in humans globally. The diversity of Salmonella enterica has not yet been determined in venomous snakes, however other ectothermic animals have been reported to carry a broad range of Salmonella bacteria. We investigated the prevalence and diversity of Salmonella in a collection of venomous snakes and non-venomous reptiles. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPLE FINDINGS We used a combination of selective enrichment techniques to establish a unique dataset of reptilian isolates to study Salmonella enterica species-level evolution and ecology and used whole-genome sequencing to investigate the relatedness of phylogenetic groups. We observed that 91% of venomous snakes carried Salmonella, and found that a diverse range of serovars (n = 58) were carried by reptiles. The Salmonella serovars belonged to four of the six Salmonella enterica subspecies: diarizonae, enterica, houtanae and salamae. Subspecies enterica isolates were distributed among two distinct phylogenetic clusters, previously described as clade A (52%) and clade B (48%). We identified metabolic differences between S. diarizonae, S. enterica clade A and clade B involving growth on lactose, tartaric acid, dulcitol, myo-inositol and allantoin. SIGNIFICANCE We present the first whole genome-based comparative study of the Salmonella bacteria that colonise venomous and non-venomous reptiles and shed new light on Salmonella evolution. Venomous snakes examined in this study carried a broad range of Salmonella, including serovars which have been associated with disease in humans such as S. Enteritidis. The findings raise the possibility that venomous snakes could be a reservoir for Salmonella serovars associated with human salmonellosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caisey V. Pulford
- Department of Functional and Comparative Genomics, Institute of Integrative Biology, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - Nicolas Wenner
- Department of Functional and Comparative Genomics, Institute of Integrative Biology, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - Martha L. Redway
- Department of Functional and Comparative Genomics, Institute of Integrative Biology, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - Ella V. Rodwell
- Department of Functional and Comparative Genomics, Institute of Integrative Biology, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - Hermione J. Webster
- Department of Functional and Comparative Genomics, Institute of Integrative Biology, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - Roberta Escudero
- Department of Functional and Comparative Genomics, Institute of Integrative Biology, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - Carsten Kröger
- Department of Functional and Comparative Genomics, Institute of Integrative Biology, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - Rocío Canals
- Department of Functional and Comparative Genomics, Institute of Integrative Biology, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - Will Rowe
- Department of Functional and Comparative Genomics, Institute of Integrative Biology, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - Javier Lopez
- Animal Health Department, Chester Zoo, Cheshire, United Kingdom
| | - Neil Hall
- Earlham Institute, Norwich Research Park, Norwich, United Kingdom
- School of Biological Sciences, University of East Anglia, Norwich, United Kingdom
| | - Paul D. Rowley
- Centre for Snakebite Research and Interventions, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - Dorina Timofte
- Institute of Veterinary Science, University of Liverpool, Leahurst Campus, Cheshire, United Kingdom
- Institute of Infection and Global Health, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - Robert A. Harrison
- Centre for Snakebite Research and Interventions, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - Kate S. Baker
- Department of Functional and Comparative Genomics, Institute of Integrative Biology, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - Jay C. D. Hinton
- Department of Functional and Comparative Genomics, Institute of Integrative Biology, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom
- * E-mail:
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Whiley H, Gardner MG, Ross K. A Review of Salmonella and Squamates (Lizards, Snakes and Amphisbians): Implications for Public Health. Pathogens 2017; 6:pathogens6030038. [PMID: 28829352 PMCID: PMC5617995 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens6030038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2017] [Revised: 08/18/2017] [Accepted: 08/21/2017] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Globally, there has been an increase in squamates (particularly lizards and snakes) being kept as pets. Additionally, urban spread has resulted in greater human encroachment and interaction with the natural habitat of wild squamates. A potential consequence of increasing human interaction with squamates is the increased potential for disease transfer. This review collates the literature describing clinical salmonellosis cases that were definitively linked to a squamate through testing of the animal and population-based studies which investigate the risk of salmonellosis linked to pet squamates. It was demonstrated that although squamate-acquired salmonellosis accounted for a small percentage of total cases, children under five were at greatest risk, with the clinical manifestations tending to be more severe. In many cases, it was noted that the patient was unaware of the risks associated with keeping squamates and did not practice proper hand hygiene after handling the animals or cleaning cages. This highlights the need for more education focused on informing the general public of ways to reduce the risk of salmonellosis from pet squamates. There is also the need for future research into the role of wild squamates in the spread of human salmonellosis, both directly and indirectly through cross contamination.
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Affiliation(s)
- Harriet Whiley
- College of Science and Engineering, Flinders University, GPO Box 2100, Adelaide, SA 5001, Australia.
| | - Michael G Gardner
- College of Science and Engineering, Flinders University, GPO Box 2100, Adelaide, SA 5001, Australia.
- Evolutionary Biology Unit, South Australian Museum, North Terrace, Adelaide, SA 5000, Australia.
| | - Kirstin Ross
- College of Science and Engineering, Flinders University, GPO Box 2100, Adelaide, SA 5001, Australia.
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