Abstract
Samples from the cloaca and the ventral skin surface of 67 Nile crocodiles (Crocodylus niloticus) captured in four uninhabited areas at Lake Kariba, Zimbabwe, were cultured for Salmonella. All the skin samples tested negative for Salmonella, whereas 18 of 67 (26.9%) cloacal samples grew Salmonella. Significantly more males than females yielded Salmonella, but no statistically significant correlation among salmonella carriage, body size, nd age was recorded. Ten different serotypes of S. enterica belonging to the subspecies enterica, salamae, and diarizonae were isolated. All isolates belonging to subspecies enterica displayed invasive properties in an experimental mouse model and thus exhibited pathogenic potential, whereas none of the other isolates were invasive. In general, isolates were sensitive to a number of commonly used antimicrobials, except for three isolates that were resistant to streptomycin.
Original language | English |
---|---|
Journal | Journal of Zoo and Wildlife Medicine |
Volume | 29 |
Issue number | 1 |
Pages (from-to) | 31-34 |
ISSN | 1042-7260 |
Publication status | Published - 1998 |
Keywords
- antibiotic sensitivity
- reptiles
- invasiveness
- crocodile
- Salmonella
- Crocodylus niloticus