Free-Living Turtles Are a Reservoir for Salmonella but Not for Campylobacter. e72350

• Published in: PloS one Vol. 8; no. 8
• Main Authors: Marin, Clara, Ingresa-Capaccioni, Sofia, Gonzalez-Bodi, Sara, Marco-Jimenez, Francisco, Vega, Santiago
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: 01.08.2013
• Subjects: Campylobacter; Emys orbicularis; Salmonella enterica; Salmonella typhimurium; Trachemys scripta elegans; Spain
• ISSN: 1932-6203
• DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0072350

Different studies have reported the prevalence of Salmonella in turtles and its role in reptile-associated salmonellosis in humans, but there is a lack of scientific literature related with the epidemiology of Campylobacter in turtles. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of Campylobacter and Salmonella in free-living native (Emys orbicularis, n=83) and exotic (Trachemys scripta elegans, n=117) turtles from 11 natural ponds in Eastern Spain. In addition, different types of samples (cloacal swabs, intestinal content and water from Turtle containers) were compared. Regardless of the turtle species, natural ponds where individuals were captured and the type of sample taken, Campylobacter was not detected. Salmonella was isolated in similar proportions in native (8.0 plus or minus 3.1%) and exotic (15.0 plus or minus 3.3%) turtles (p=0.189). The prevalence of Salmonella positive turtles was associated with the natural ponds where animals were captured. Captured turtles from 8 of the 11 natural ponds were positive, ranged between 3.0 plus or minus 3.1% and 60.0 plus or minus 11.0%. Serotyping revealed 8 different serovars among four Salmonella enterica subspecies: S. enterica subsp. enterica (n = 21), S. enterica subsp. salamae (n = 2), S. enterica subsp. diarizonae (n = 3), and S. enterica subsp. houtenae (n = 1). Two serovars were predominant: S. Thompson (n=16) and S. typhimurium (n=3). In addition, there was an effect of sample type on Salmonella detection. The highest isolation of Salmonella was obtained from intestinal content samples (12.0 plus or minus 3.0%), while lower percentages were found for water from the containers and cloacal swabs (8.0 plus or minus 2.5% and 3.0 plus or minus 1.5%, respectively). Our results imply that free-living turtles are a risk factor for Salmonella transmission, but do not seem to be a reservoir for Campylobacter. We therefore rule out turtles as a risk factor for human campylobacteriosis. Nevertheless, further studies should be undertaken in other countries to confirm these results.