Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 19, 2026
09:01
Chronic Salmonella Infected Mouse Model
Published on: May 31, 2010
[Gastroenteritis caused by Salmonella from pet snakes]
M J Bruins1, A M de Boer, G J H M Ruijs
1Isala klinieken, Laboratorium voor Medische Microbiologie en Infectieziekten, Rhijnvis Feithlaan 62, 8021, AM Zwolle. m.j.bruins@isala.nl
Nederlands Tijdschrift Voor Geneeskunde
|November 2, 2006
Summary
Salmonella enterica subspecies diarizonae, a reptile-associated bacteria, caused gastroenteritis in a Dutch patient. Reptile owners need targeted information to prevent salmonellosis, as exotic pet popularity rises.
Area of Science:
- Zoonotic diseases
- Microbiology
- Public health
Background:
- Reptiles are common carriers of Salmonella species.
- Salmonella can be transmitted from reptiles to humans.
- Exotic pet ownership is increasing in the Netherlands.
Observation:
- Salmonella enterica subspecies diarizonae was isolated from a patient with gastroenteritis.
- The same Salmonella subspecies was found in the patient's home terrarium containing snakes.
- Reptile-associated Salmonella infections are underreported in the Netherlands.
Findings:
- A direct link was established between reptile contact and human salmonellosis.
- Asymptomatic reptile carriers pose a significant public health risk.
- Lack of targeted information exacerbates the risk of reptile-associated salmonellosis.
Implications:
- Veterinarians, traders, and owners require specific guidance on preventing reptile-associated salmonellosis.
- Increased awareness and preventative measures are crucial due to rising exotic pet ownership.
- Public health strategies must address the growing threat of zoonotic diseases from exotic pets.
Related Concept Videos
01:18Bacterial Gastroenteritis
Bacterial gastroenteritis, characterized by diarrhea, abdominal cramps, and vomiting, is often caused by ingestion of contaminated food or water and is frequently associated with pathogenic Escherichia coli strains. These microbes exploit two principal mechanisms to inflict disease.Shiga toxin–producing E. coli, also referred to as STEC—notably O157:H7—release Shiga toxins that target ribosomes, blocking protein synthesis. The B subunit of the toxin binds the host glycolipid receptor...
01:30Reservoir of Infection
Infectious diseases arise from intricate interactions between pathogens and their reservoirs. A reservoir of infection refers to the natural habitat where a pathogen lives, grows, and multiplies, serving as a continual source of infection. Reservoirs are broadly classified as either living or nonliving, and each plays a unique role in disease transmission, significantly influencing public health interventions and control strategies.Humans act as reservoirs for a wide array of pathogens,...
01:28Amebiasis
Entamoeba histolytica, a protozoan parasite, is responsible for intestinal and extraintestinal amebiasis. Though a significant proportion of infections remain asymptomatic, approximately 50 million individuals annually are estimated to present with clinical disease, resulting in up to 100,000 deaths globally. The disease burden is disproportionately high in regions with lower socioeconomic status, such as parts of India, Africa, Mexico, and Latin America.Etiology and TransmissionThe infective...
01:12Giardiasis
Giardiasis is a globally prevalent intestinal infection caused by the protozoan parasite Giardia duodenalis (also known as G. lamblia or G. intestinalis). This flagellated protozoan is the most frequently identified intestinal parasite in the United States and worldwide. Transmission primarily occurs via the fecal-oral route, with infection arising from ingestion of water or food contaminated with cysts. Individuals in low-resource settings, international travelers, outdoor enthusiasts, daycare...
01:28Toxoplasmosis
Toxoplasmosis, a zoonotic disease caused by the protozoan Toxoplasma gondii, poses significant public health challenges globally due to its high seroprevalence and varied clinical manifestations. As an obligate intracellular parasite, T. gondii can infect all warm-blooded vertebrates, but felids are its only definitive hosts, shedding unsporulated oocysts into the environment. Humans typically acquire the infection through ingestion of tissue cysts in undercooked meat or oocysts from...
01:29Sources of Food Contamination
Contamination of food by microbial agents and natural toxins poses significant risks to public health. These hazards can be introduced at various points across the food supply chain, ranging from environmental sources to processing and storage stages. Understanding these contamination pathways is critical for developing strategies to ensure food safety.Seafood is particularly vulnerable to contamination through both environmental exposure and microbial colonization. Toxins from harmful algal...