Reptiles, amphibians, and human Salmonella infection: a population-based, case-control study.
To estimate the burden of reptile- and amphibian-associated Salmonella infections, we conducted 2 case-control studies of human salmonellosis occurring during 1996-1997. The studies took place at 5 Foodborne Diseases Active Surveillance Network (FoodNet) surveillance areas: all of Minnesota and Oregon and selected counties in California, Connecticut, and Georgia. The first study included 463 patients with serogroup B or D Salmonella infection and 7618 population-based controls. The second study involved 38 patients with non-serogroup B or D Salmonella infection and 1429 controls from California only. Patients and controls were interviewed about contact with reptiles and amphibians. Reptile and amphibian contact was associated both with infection with serogroup B or D Salmonella (multivariable odds ratio [OR], 1.6; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.1-2.2; P<.009) and with infection with non-serogroup B or D Salmonella (OR, 4.2; CI, 1.8-9.7; P<.001). The population attributable fraction for reptile or amphibian contact was 6% for all sporadic Salmonella infections and 11% among persons <21 years old. These data suggest that reptile and amphibian exposure is associated with approximately 74,000 Salmonella infections annually in the United States.
Mermin
Jonathan
J
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA 30333, USA.
Hutwagner
Lori
L
Vugia
Duc
D
Shallow
Sue
S
Daily
Pamela
P
Bender
Jeffrey
J
Koehler
Jane
J
Marcus
Ruthanne
R
Angulo
Frederick J
FJ
D000663:Amphibians / Q000382:microbiology*; D000818:Animals; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D003625:Data Collection; D006801:Humans; D007255:Information Services; D011159:Population Surveillance; D012104:Reptiles / Q000382:microbiology*; D012475:Salmonella / Q000145:classification; D012480:Salmonella Infections / Q000453:epidemiology*; D012481:Salmonella Infections, Animal / Q000382:microbiology / Q000635:transmission*; D012703:Serotyping; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology