Occurrence of Salmonella in cold-blooded animals in Gran Canaria, Canary Islands, Spain

Abstract

The occurrence ofSalmonella in endemic and subendemic species of lizard and frog of Gran Canaria,Gallotia stehlini andRana perezi, as well as captive reptiles from other regions of the world was investigated. The occurrence ofSalmonella was statistically higher in endemic and subendemic species than in captive animals (p<0.001). Seventy strains ofSalmonella were isolated.S. berta andS. grancanaria were the most frequently isolated serotypes. The study ofSalmonella in gall-bladder contents showed a high parasitation (85%), being higher inGallotia stehlini (100%) than inRana perezi (60%). None of the isolated salmonellae were resistant to tested antibiotics.