<i>Salmonella</i> spp. in Pet Reptiles in Portugal: Prevalence and Chlorhexidine Gluconate Antimicrobial Efficacy
A fraction of human <i>Salmonella</i> infections is associated with direct contact with reptiles, yet the number of reptile-associated Salmonellosis cases are believed to be underestimated. Existing data on <i>Salmonella</i> spp. transmission by reptiles in Portugal is extrem...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2021-03-01
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| Series: | Antibiotics |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2079-6382/10/3/324 |
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| author | João B. Cota Ana C. Carvalho Inês Dias Ana Reisinho Fernando Bernardo Manuela Oliveira |
| author_facet | João B. Cota Ana C. Carvalho Inês Dias Ana Reisinho Fernando Bernardo Manuela Oliveira |
| author_sort | João B. Cota |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | A fraction of human <i>Salmonella</i> infections is associated with direct contact with reptiles, yet the number of reptile-associated Salmonellosis cases are believed to be underestimated. Existing data on <i>Salmonella</i> spp. transmission by reptiles in Portugal is extremely scarce. The aim of the present work was to evaluate the prevalence of <i>Salmonella</i> spp. in pet reptiles (snakes, turtles, and lizards), as well as evaluate the isolates’ antimicrobial resistance and virulence profiles, including their ability to form biofilm in the air-liquid interface. Additionally, the antimicrobial effect of chlorhexidine gluconate on the isolates was tested. <i>Salmonella</i> was isolated in 41% of the animals sampled and isolates revealed low levels of antimicrobial resistance. Hemolytic and lypolytic phenotypes were detected in all isolates. The majority (90.63%) of the <i>Salmonella</i> isolates were positive for the formation of pellicle in the air-liquid interface. Results indicate chlorhexidine gluconate is an effective antimicrobial agent, against the isolates in both their planktonic and biofilm forms, demonstrating a bactericidal effect in 84.37% of the <i>Salmonella</i> isolates. This study highlights the possible role of pet reptiles in the transmission of non-typhoidal <i>Salmonella</i> to humans, a serious and increasingly relevant route of exposure in the <i>Salmonella</i> public health framework. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-10T13:03:31Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-0db37f42c80a463894b23f2f7593bb99 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2079-6382 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-10T13:03:31Z |
| publishDate | 2021-03-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Antibiotics |
| spelling | doaj.art-0db37f42c80a463894b23f2f7593bb992023-11-21T11:15:10ZengMDPI AGAntibiotics2079-63822021-03-0110332410.3390/antibiotics10030324<i>Salmonella</i> spp. in Pet Reptiles in Portugal: Prevalence and Chlorhexidine Gluconate Antimicrobial EfficacyJoão B. Cota0Ana C. Carvalho1Inês Dias2Ana Reisinho3Fernando Bernardo4Manuela Oliveira5CIISA–Centro de Investigação Interdisciplinar em Sanidade Animal, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. da Universidade Técnica, 1300-477 Lisboa, PortugalCIISA–Centro de Investigação Interdisciplinar em Sanidade Animal, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. da Universidade Técnica, 1300-477 Lisboa, PortugalCIISA–Centro de Investigação Interdisciplinar em Sanidade Animal, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. da Universidade Técnica, 1300-477 Lisboa, PortugalCIISA–Centro de Investigação Interdisciplinar em Sanidade Animal, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. da Universidade Técnica, 1300-477 Lisboa, PortugalCIISA–Centro de Investigação Interdisciplinar em Sanidade Animal, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. da Universidade Técnica, 1300-477 Lisboa, PortugalCIISA–Centro de Investigação Interdisciplinar em Sanidade Animal, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. da Universidade Técnica, 1300-477 Lisboa, PortugalA fraction of human <i>Salmonella</i> infections is associated with direct contact with reptiles, yet the number of reptile-associated Salmonellosis cases are believed to be underestimated. Existing data on <i>Salmonella</i> spp. transmission by reptiles in Portugal is extremely scarce. The aim of the present work was to evaluate the prevalence of <i>Salmonella</i> spp. in pet reptiles (snakes, turtles, and lizards), as well as evaluate the isolates’ antimicrobial resistance and virulence profiles, including their ability to form biofilm in the air-liquid interface. Additionally, the antimicrobial effect of chlorhexidine gluconate on the isolates was tested. <i>Salmonella</i> was isolated in 41% of the animals sampled and isolates revealed low levels of antimicrobial resistance. Hemolytic and lypolytic phenotypes were detected in all isolates. The majority (90.63%) of the <i>Salmonella</i> isolates were positive for the formation of pellicle in the air-liquid interface. Results indicate chlorhexidine gluconate is an effective antimicrobial agent, against the isolates in both their planktonic and biofilm forms, demonstrating a bactericidal effect in 84.37% of the <i>Salmonella</i> isolates. This study highlights the possible role of pet reptiles in the transmission of non-typhoidal <i>Salmonella</i> to humans, a serious and increasingly relevant route of exposure in the <i>Salmonella</i> public health framework.https://www.mdpi.com/2079-6382/10/3/324<i>Salmonella</i>reptilesisolationantimicrobial resistancebiofilmschlorhexidine gluconate |
| spellingShingle | João B. Cota Ana C. Carvalho Inês Dias Ana Reisinho Fernando Bernardo Manuela Oliveira <i>Salmonella</i> spp. in Pet Reptiles in Portugal: Prevalence and Chlorhexidine Gluconate Antimicrobial Efficacy Antibiotics <i>Salmonella</i> reptiles isolation antimicrobial resistance biofilms chlorhexidine gluconate |
| title | <i>Salmonella</i> spp. in Pet Reptiles in Portugal: Prevalence and Chlorhexidine Gluconate Antimicrobial Efficacy |
| title_full | <i>Salmonella</i> spp. in Pet Reptiles in Portugal: Prevalence and Chlorhexidine Gluconate Antimicrobial Efficacy |
| title_fullStr | <i>Salmonella</i> spp. in Pet Reptiles in Portugal: Prevalence and Chlorhexidine Gluconate Antimicrobial Efficacy |
| title_full_unstemmed | <i>Salmonella</i> spp. in Pet Reptiles in Portugal: Prevalence and Chlorhexidine Gluconate Antimicrobial Efficacy |
| title_short | <i>Salmonella</i> spp. in Pet Reptiles in Portugal: Prevalence and Chlorhexidine Gluconate Antimicrobial Efficacy |
| title_sort | i salmonella i spp in pet reptiles in portugal prevalence and chlorhexidine gluconate antimicrobial efficacy |
| topic | <i>Salmonella</i> reptiles isolation antimicrobial resistance biofilms chlorhexidine gluconate |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2079-6382/10/3/324 |
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