Welcome to vnonline.co.uk

vnonline.co.uk provides the veterinary nursing profession with the latest news and industry developments, as well as events, resources, learning materials and careers.

Our website is dedicated to veterinary nurses and we strive to provide a platform where you can voice and explore your interests.

Not a member yet? Sign up for free!

Register for free with vnonline.co.uk to gain unlimited access to news, resources, jobs and much more!



Click here to become a member






Log in to vnonline

Forgot your password?

Posted: 29th December 2014

Reptiles linked to 27 per cent of Salmonella cases
bearded dragon
Patients with reptile-associated Salmonella were more likely to be hospitalised.
New research finds severity of disease is higher in reptile-associated cases

More than 25 per cent of Salmonella cases in children under five are reptile-associated, new research suggests. The severity of the illness is also likely to be higher in cases linked to reptiles.

Research published in the Archives of Disease in Childhood looks at cases of salmonellosis in children in South West England.

Led by Dr Dan Murphy from Royal Cornwall Hospital, researchers analysed cases reported to public health authorities from January 2010 to December 2013.

Out of 127 cases, more than a quarter (27 per cent) of Salmonella patients had been exposed to reptiles.

The median age for reptile-associated (RAS) cases was six months, compared to one year for non-RAS cases.

Patients with RAS Salmonella were also found to be 2.5 times more likely to be hospitalised.

Furthermore,  significantly more RAS cases had an invasive form of disease. Out of 48 cases, five had bacteraemia, two had meningitis and one had colitis. This is compared to the non-RAS cases, where three had bacteraemia and one had meningitis.

Salmonella causes vomiting and diarrhoea which can last for months in some cases. While it is not usually life-threatening, complications can arise in the very young, very old, or immune-compromised.

It can be carried in the gut of reptiles and shed in the droppings. Bacteria quickly spreads over the skin and can contaminate anything the reptile comes into contact with.



Become a member or log in to add this story to your CPD history



Latest news | Careers | Events | Resources | Contact us | Terms and conditions | Data Protection and Privacy |Cookie policy | About us | Copyright
© 2024 Vision Media, all rights reserved. vnonline.co.uk is not responsible for the content of external websites.