Isolation and identification of Salmonella spp. from red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) and badgers (Meles meles) in northern Italy |
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Authors: | Mario Chiari Nicola Ferrari Daniele Giardiello Paolo Lanfranchi Mariagrazia Zanoni Antonio Lavazza Loris G Alborali |
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Affiliation: | .Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell’Emilia Romagna “Bruno Ubertini”, Via Bianchi 7/9, 25124 Brescia, Italy ;.Department of Veterinary Sciences and Public Health, Università degli Studi di Milano, via Celoria 10, 20133 Milan, Italy |
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Abstract: | BackgroundSalmonella spp. have been isolated from a wide range of wild animals. Opportunistic wild carnivores such as red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) and badgers (Meles meles) may act as environmental indicators or as potential sources of salmonellosis in humans. The present study characterizes Salmonella spp. isolated from the intestinal contents of hunted or dead red foxes (n = 509) and badgers (n = 17) in northern Italy.FindingsThirty-one strains of Salmonella belonging to 3 Salmonella enterica subspecies were isolated. Fourteen different serovars of S. enterica subsp. enterica were identified, among which were serovars often associated with human illness.ConclusionsWild opportunistic predators can influence the probability of infection of both domestic animals and humans through active shedding of the pathogen to the environment. The epidemiological role of wild carnivores in the spread of salmonellosis needs to be further studied. |
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Keywords: | Salmonella spp Opportunistic carnivores Red fox Badger |
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