Salmonella and Salmonellosis Maryanne E. Tocidlowski, DVM Houston Zoo, Inc.

SalmonellaSalmonellaandand

SalmonellosisSalmonellosis

Maryanne E. Maryanne E. Tocidlowski, DVMTocidlowski, DVMHouston Zoo, IncHouston Zoo, Inc

What is it?What is it? Family Enterobacteriaceae

Gram negative, rod bacteria, motile (most)

Newer classification: 2 Species: S. enterica, S. bongori S. enterica - subspecies I, II, IIIa, IIIIb, IV, VI

By biochemical and antigenic reactions Subspecies II, IIIa, IIIIb, IV, VI and S. bongori usually

isolated from cold blooded animals and environment Older classification:

3 Species: Cholerae-suis, typhi, enteritidis Based on serologic and biochemical reactions Many serotypes of S. enteritidis

Serotyping – 3 antigen structures O (surface layer), H (flagella), V (capsule)

How does it work?How does it work?

Penetration of the bacteria into intestinal wall, produces a cytotoxin, marked inflammatory response with enterotoxins, then fluid feces

Who is affected?Who is affected? Anyone exposed – est 1.4 million

cases annually, 400 deaths Impaired immune systems Children (< 5 yo) – 5x more likely

to get infected Infants Elderly All animals

What are the signs or What are the signs or symptoms?symptoms?

Starts 12-72 hours after exposure Diarrhea Fever Abdominal cramping Can last 4-7 days

Systemic infections Occasionally long term illness

(Reiter’s syndrome)

Where do you get it Where do you get it from?from?

Worldwide occurrence Different subspecies vary in their

epidemiology Lives in the intestine of humans and animals Eating foods contaminated with salmonella

Of animal origin Vegetables Fecal-oral route

Estimated 6% of infections from contact with reptiles and amphibians

DiagnosisDiagnosis

Culture on selective media Biochemical reactions Serotyping

O antigen – outer layer of cell H antigen – filament portion of

flagellum V antigen – capsular polysaccharide

Is there a Is there a treatment?treatment?

Usually not treated, self limiting If systemic, can give antibiotics

Supportive oral fluids

Prevention of Prevention of SalmonellosisSalmonellosis

HANDWASHING !! No reptiles/young birds in

households with babies or children

Cook foods-No raw or undercooked eggs, poultry, meats, unpasteurized dairy products

Wash produce Handwashing

Prevention part 2Prevention part 2 Report cases to the local public health

departments Send isolates to City/County/State labs Ban on selling small turtles (< 4 inches) Treatment of municipal water supplies Improvement in farm hygiene,

slaughter plant practices, produce harvesting and packaging

Education of food handlers Irradiation of meats

WebsitesWebsites www.cdc.gov www.pueblo.gsa.gov/rc/

turtles.html www.textbookofbacteriology.net/

salmonella.html

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