Prevalence of fecal shedding of Salmonella organisms among captive green iguanas and potential public health implications
Burnham, B.R.; Atchley, D.H.; DeFusco, R.P.; Ferris, K.E.; Zicarelli, J.C.; Lee, J.H.; Angulo, F.J.
Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association 213(1): 48-50
1998
ISSN/ISBN: 0003-1488 PMID: 9656023 Document Number: 490702
The prevalence of faecal shedding of Salmonella was studied in 12 captive green iguanas (Iguana iguana) purchased from pet stores in Colorado Springs and Denver, USA, in 1997. All iguanas were found to be shedding Salmonella, and multiple serotypes were isolated from 7 iguanas. 88 of 106 (83%) faecal samples were positive and 21 samples contained multiple Salmonella serotypes. Eleven Salmonella serotypes were identified. Most iguanas had a stable mixture of Salmonella serotypes in their intestinal tracts and intermittently or continuously shed Salmonella organisms in their faeces.