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Turtle-associated salmonellosis due to Salmonella Litchfield in a 57-day-old infant: a case report
Hisao Okabe1, Hiromichi Murai1, Shunya Takano1
1Shirakawa Kosei General Hospital, Japan.
Insights
A baby contracted Salmonella Litchfield from pet turtles, leading to gastroenteritis. This highlights the risk of turtle-associated salmonellosis in households with young children.
Area of Science:
- Zoonotic diseases
- Microbiology
- Public Health
Background:
- Infants are susceptible to infections from household pets.
- Salmonella is a common bacterial pathogen that can be transmitted from animals to humans.
- Aquatic turtles are known carriers of Salmonella species.
Purpose of the Study:
- To report a case of Salmonella Litchfield infection in an infant.
- To identify the source of infection as pet turtles.
- To emphasize the public health implications of turtle-associated salmonellosis.
Main Methods:
- Clinical case presentation and diagnosis.
- Stool culture for bacterial identification.
- Environmental sampling of pet turtles.
Main Results:
- A 57-day-old infant presented with symptoms of acute gastroenteritis.
- Stool culture confirmed Salmonella Litchfield infection.
- Salmonella Litchfield was isolated from the family's pet Japanese pond turtles.
- The infant recovered after a 5-day course of intravenous ampicillin.
Conclusions:
- Pet turtles can transmit Salmonella Litchfield to infants, causing illness.
- Turtle-associated salmonellosis poses a public health risk, especially for vulnerable populations.
- Recommendations include avoiding turtles as pets in homes with infants and educating the public and pet industry about Salmonella risks.
Abstract:
A 57-day-old boy presented with fever, watery diarrhea, and anorexia and was admitted with suspected acute gastroenteritis. His laboratory data suggested low-level inflammation and cholestasis. His stool culture was positive for Salmonella Litchfield. With suspicion of bacterial infection, the patient received intravenous ampicillin for 5 days. On the fifth day after admission, his inflammatory and cholestasis markers normalized, and he was discharged from the hospital in good condition. His family kept five Japanese pond turtles as pets for one year. As Salmonella Litchfield was isolated from a swab sample of the turtle's body. The patient was diagnosed with turtle-associated salmonellosis. In conclusion, families, particularly those with infants, should avoid keeping turtles in their homes. Pet shop owners and public health authorities must provide appropriate information regarding Salmonella in turtles.
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