Reptiles, Salmonella

Wild and domestic animals, including mammals, birds, reptiles and insects, are likely to harbour enteric pathogens and are therefore potential transmitters to agricultural environments and produce. For instance, Salmonella spp. has been isolated from the intestinal tracts of most warm-blooded and many cold-blooded animals. 

A total of 2213 different Salmonella strains have been identified. Salmonella infects the digestive tracts of many domestic and wild animals, birds, and reptiles. They can be classified according to their adaptation to human and animal hosts ... 

To construct a molecular clock we need an approximate date for the divergence of various species. Consider Escherichia coli and Salmonella. These are similar organisms, which appear to be related, but Salmonella lives in the gut of reptiles and birds, and E. coli in the gut of various mammals. So when did the two microorganisms diverge To... 

Salmonella is also a bacterium that is widespread in the intestines of birds, reptiles and mammals. It can spread to humans via a variety of different foods of animal origin. The illness it causes, salmonellosis, typically includes fever, diarrhea and abdominal cramps. In persons with poor underlying health or weakened immune systems, it can invade the bloodstream and cause life-threatening infections. 

Salmonella may also be found in the feces of some pets, especially those with diarrhea, and people can become infected if they do not wash their hands after contact with these feces. Reptiles are particularly likely to harbor Salmonella and people should always wash their hands... 

People should wash their hands after contact with animal feces. Since reptiles are particularly likely to have Salmonella, everyone should immediately wash their hands after handling reptiles. Reptiles (including turtles) are not appropriate pets for small children and should not be in the same house as an infant. 

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