Reptile-Associated Salmonellosis

More than a quarter of reported Salmonella infections in British children aged <5 years were associated with exposure to pet reptiles.

Reptiles carrying Salmonella, despite showing no symptoms, excrete these bacteria from the gut. Exposure to small pet turtles has been linked to salmonellosis, resulting in a (relatively ineffective) ban on selling these animals as pets in many U.S. states. Researchers in the U.K. recently examined the proportion of salmonellosis cases among young children that were reptile related and the severity of such infections.

Of 250 salmonellosis cases reported among children aged <5 years from 2010 through 2013 in the southwestern U.K., 175 had data sufficient to allow analysis. Forty-eight (27%) of these 175 cases were identified as reptile-associated salmonellosis (RAS). RAS patients were significantly younger than non-RAS patients (median, 0.5 y…

Reviewing Author

Stephen G. Baum, MD

Disclosures

Consultant/Advisory BoardClinical Infectious Diseases

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Editorial BoardsMedical Letter

Stephen G. Baum, MD

Disclosures

Consultant/Advisory BoardClinical Infectious Diseases

RoyaltiesUpToDate

Editorial BoardsMedical Letter

Reptile-Associated Salmonellosis

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Reviewing Author