D361 - Salmonella spp.

Description:

Members of the genus Salmonella are gram-negative, facultatively anaerobic, intracellular parasites that invade the mucous membrane of a wide variety of mammals, birds and reptiles. Under certain circumstances they can cause systemic disease. Species of Salmonella that are recognized to be of major pathogenic significance in veterinary microbiology include S.choleraesuis, S.arizonae, S.enteritidis, and S.typhimurium. Salmonella can survive for a relatively long period outside the host. Finding Salmonella in the environment usually indicates direct or indirect fecal contamination. Dogs and cats may acquire Salmonella infection by drinking contaminated water, although this is less of a problem in areas where pets drink from chlorinated municipal water supplies. Puppies and kittens younger than one year are more susceptible to infection and clinical illness than adult animals. The clinical signs associated with Salmonella gastroenteritis are variable. Most acute episodes begin within 3 to 5 days of exposure to the organism or after stress in carriers. Fever of 40oC to 41oC, malaise, and anorexia are noted initially followed by vomiting, abdominal pain, and diarrhea. Severely affected animals have pale mucous membrane, weakness, marked dehydration and shock. Abortion, stillbirth, and birth of weak puppies or kittens may result from in utero infection. Only a small proportion (<10%) of infected animals die during the acute stage of salmonellosis. Animals affected by acute diarrhea usually recover after 3 to 4 weeks and recovered and clinically normal animals usually shed the organisms for up to 6 weeks.

Diagnosis:

Diagnosis is based on clinical suspicion. PCR can be used as a conformation test for Salmonella infection.

Sample:

1. Stool sample collected in a sterile container.

Special Handling:

Store sample at 4°C until pick up or shipment.

Test Code:

D361