Evaluation of a combination of sodium hypochlorite and polyhexamethylene biguanide as an egg wash for red-eared slider turtles (Trachemys scripta elegans) to suppress or eliminate Salmonella organisms on egg surfaces and in hatchlings.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate a combination of 2 nonantibiotic microbicide compounds, sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) and polyhexamethylene biguanide (PHMB), as a treatment to suppress or eliminate Salmonella spp from red-eared slider (RES) turtle (Trachemys scripta elegans) eggs and hatchlings.


METHODS
2,738 eggs from 8 turtle farms in Louisiana.


METHODS
Eggs were randomly sorted into 3 or, when sufficient eggs were available, 4 treatment groups as follows: control, pressure-differential egg treatment with NaOCl and gentamicin, NaOCl and PHMB bath treatment, and pressure-differential egg treatment with NaOCl and PHMB. Bacterial cultures were performed from specimens of eggs and hatchlings and evaluated for Salmonella spp.


RESULTS
RES turtle eggs treated with NaOCl and PHMB as a bath (odds ratio [OR], 0.2 [95% confidence interval (CI), 0.1 to 0.3]) or as a pressure-differential dip (OR, 0.01 [95% CI, 0.001 to 0.07]) or with gentamicin as a pressure-differential dip (OR, 0.1 [95% CI, 0.06 to 0.2]) were significantly less likely to have Salmonella-positive culture results than control-group eggs.


CONCLUSIONS
Concern over reptile-associated salmonellosis in children in the United States is so great that federal regulations prohibit the sale of turtles that are < 10.2 cm in length. Currently, turtle farms treat eggs with gentamicin solution. Although this has reduced Salmonella shedding, it has also resulted in antimicrobial resistance. Results of our study indicate that a combination of NaOCl and PHMB may be used to suppress or eliminate Salmonella spp on RES turtle eggs and in hatchlings.
Mitchell
Mark A
MA
Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA 70803, USA.
Adamson
Trinka W
TW
Singleton
Charles B
CB
Roundtree
Marlana K
MK
Bauer
Rudy W
RW
Acierno
Mark J
MJ
D000818:Animals; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000891:Anti-Infective Agents, Local / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001645:Biguanides / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004528:Egg Shell / Q000382:microbiology*; D005839:Gentamicins / Q000494:pharmacology; D010063:Ovum / Q000382:microbiology; D012475:Salmonella / Q000187:drug effects*; D012973:Sodium Hypochlorite / Q000494:pharmacology*; D014426:Turtles / Q000382:microbiology*
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D000891:Anti-Infective Agents, Local; D001645:Biguanides; D005839:Gentamicins; C031233:polihexanide; D012973:Sodium Hypochlorite