[Human salmonellosis and turtles in France]

Two immunosuppressed children were infected with Salmonella, due to turtles living in water. So we investigated the carriage of Salmonella among those animals. Among the 95 investigated animals, 10 were carrying Salmonella (Arizonae, Rissen, Pomona and Blockley). The water of 6 containers out of 20 contained Salmonella. Comparing our data to others in the litterature, we conclude that human salmonellosis, acquired from turtles are not, by now, a major problem in France. Nevertheless, a number of those animals are carrying Salmonella. So an epidemiological survey is necessary, and immunosuppressed patients should avoid contact with those animals.