Salmonella associated with captive and wild lizards in Malaysia

The genus Salmonella is responsible for considerable human and animal disease worldwide. It consists of two species, namely Salmonella enterica and Salmonella bongori. Salmonella enterica is divided into six subspecies, namely S. enterica subsp. enterica (I), salamae (II), arizonae (IIIa), diarizonae (IIIb), houtenae (IV) and indica (VI) (Le Minor and Popoff, 1987). Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica is commonly found in mammals, including humans, where it is responsible for most Salmonella infections. The other subspecies are more commonly found in poikilotherms or in the environment (Geue and Löschner, 2002). Reptiles are known to be reservoirs of Salmonella, carrying the pathogen without showing clinical signs (Geue and Löschner, 2002). Furthermore, a relatively high prevalence of S. enterica subsp. enterica (I) has been found in captive reptiles (Geue and Löschner, 2002; Kikillus, Gartrell and Motion, 2011). Several studies have reported a high rate of Salmonella in wild reptiles (Briones et al., 2004; Filippi et al., 2010). It has been suggested that S. enterica subsp. enterica (I) from reptiles are more capable of invading human cells as compared to other subspecies (Pasmans et al., 2005). Over the last decade the number of households keeping exotic animals, especially reptiles, has increased. The increase in pet reptile ownership is believed to be the cause of increased incident of reptile-associated salmonellosis (RAS) which is now being recognized as a major public health concern. There are estimated 70000 cases of RAS in the USA annually (CDC, 2013). In some countries, such as Malaysia, wild lizards roam freely through urban and peri-urban areas and could easily contaminate surfaces in dwellings with Salmonella if they carry it. This study examined the prevalence of Salmonella in captive and wild lizards in and around Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.