Wall Geckos (Geckonidae) as reservoirs of Salmonellae in Nigeria: problems for epidemiology and public health
Oboegbulem, S.I.; Iseghohimhen, A.U.
International Journal of Zoonoses 12(3): 228-232
1985
ISSN/ISBN: 0377-0168 PMID: 3833829 Document Number: 244958
An investigation was carried out to establish the occurrence of Salmonellae in household wall lizards (Gekko gecko and Hemidactylus sp.) in Nsukka, Nigeria. Twenty-seven out of 90 geckos examined yielded positive Salmonella isolations, giving a carrier-rate of 30 per cent. While 2 isolates were non-typable, the other 25 strains belonged to 6 serotypes: Salmonella weltevreden (8 strains), Salmonella typhimurium, Salmonella enteritidis, Salmonella hvittingfoss, Salmonella saint-paul, and Salmonella agama. Two serotypes, Salmonella weltevreden and Salmonella hvittingfoss are reported for the first time in Nigeria. The role of Geckonidae in the epidemiology of samonellosis and the public health implications of geckoborn Salmonellae are highlighted.