2. Universidad Cardenal Herrera-CEU

Salmonella is mostly noted as a food-borne pathogen, but contact with chelonians has also been reported as a source of infection. Moreover, high levels of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) have been reported in Salmonella isolated from wild and captive reptiles. The aim of this study was to assess the occurrence of Salmonella AMR carriage by chelonians admitted to two zoological institutions in Spain, characterizing the isolates to assess the Salmonella AMR epidemiology in wildlife. To this end, 152 chelonians from nine species were sampled upon their arrival at the zoological nuclei. Salmonella identification was based on ISO 6579-1:2017 (Annex D), isolates were serotyped and their AMR analysed according to the EU Decision 2013/652. Moreover, the genetic relationship of the isolates was assessed by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE). Results showed 19% (29/152) of the chelonians positive to Salmonella, all of them tortoises. For all isolates, 69% (20/29) were resistant and 34% (10/29) multidrug-resistant (MDR) strains. PFGE clustered isolates according to the serovar, confirming a low genetic diversity. In conclusion, this study shows a high presence of MDR Salmonella strains in tortoises at their entry into zoological nuclei. This condition highlights the need to establish Salmonella detection protocols for the entry of animals into these centres.

Different studies have reported the prevalence and antibiotic resistance of Salmonella in dromedaries’ camels and its role in camelid-associated salmonellosis in humans, but little is known about the epidemiology of Campylobacter in dromedaries. Here we investigate the prevalence, genetic diversity and antibiotic resistance of Campylobacter and Salmonella in dromedary camels (Camelus dromedarius). A total of 54 individuals were sampled from two unique dromedary farms located in Tenerife (Canary Islands, Spain). Whilst all the samples were Campylobacter-negative, Salmonella prevalence was 5.5% (3/54) and the only serovar isolated was S. Frintrop. The pulsed field gel electrophoresis analysis revealed a low genetic diversity, with all isolates showing a nearly identical pulsotype (similarity > 95%). Our results indicate that dromedaries’ camels could not be a risk factor for Campylobacter human infection, but seems to be a reservoir for Salmonella transmission. Since camel ride has become one of the main touristic attractions in several countries and its popularity has considerably risen in the last years, a mandatory control, especially for zoonotic pathogens, such as Campylobacter and Salmonella should be implemented.