Diseases / List of Bacterial Diseases / Disease description:
Salmonellosis (with special reference to Waterfowl, Hedgehogs, Elephants and Bears)

INFORMATION AVAILABLE

GENERAL INFORMATION

CLINICAL CHARACTERISTICS & PATHOLOGY

INVESTIGATION & DIAGNOSIS

TREATMENT & CONTROL

SUSCEPTIBILITY & TRANSMISSION

ENVIRONMENT & GEOGRAPHY

..

 

Return to top of  page

General and References

Disease Summary

Disease which may be seen in individuals or as a group problem. Usually an infection of the intestines which may cause enteritis and diarrhoea, septicaemia and death. Sometimes causes outbreaks of mortality in wild birds (B48.7.w7)
WATERFOWL Usually subclinical disease in waterfowl and rarely seen clinically in wild waterfowl; sometimes causes acute septicaemia or enteritis particularly in ducklings, also arthritis.

See also : Fowl Typhoid and Pullorum Disease (both rare in waterfowl).

N.B. Salmonellosis is a notifiable disease in the UK.

ELEPHANTS Elephants have been reported to develop clinical disease resulting in gastroenteritis, fatal septicemia and abortion.

Return to top of page

Alternative Names (Synonyms)

  • Salmonella Infection
  • Keel Disease
  • Paratyphoid Infection
  • Paratyphoid

Return to top of page

Disease Type

 Bacterial Infection

Return to top of page

Infectious/Non-Infectious Agent associated with the Disease

  • Salmonellae of the paratyphoid group; various serovars (more than 2,000 are known) but particularly Salmonella typhimurium.
  • Salmonella pullorum and Salmonella gallinarum, causing Pullorum Disease and Fowl Typhoid respectively, are rare in waterfowl.
  • Salmonella enteritidis and Salmonella typhimurium are considered to be the main types responsible for gastro-intestinal disorders. (B291.12.w12)
  • Salmonella enteritidis 'phage type 11 and Salmonella typhimurium are commonly found in Erinaceus europaeus - West European Hedgehog. (J3.128.w2)
  • Salmonella blocley, Salmonella montevideo, Salmonella london and Salmonella typhimurium have been reported to cause disease in Elephas maximus - Asian Elephant. (J2.19.w2, J3.65.w1, J4.163.w2, J4.185.w1)
  • Salmonella enteritidis, Salmonella hadar, Salmonella heildeberg, Salmonella newport and Salmonella typhimurium have been reported to cause disease in captive Loxodonta africana - African Elephant. (J3.115.w3, J4.185.w1, J35.132.w1, J25.4.w1, P1.1985.w3, P30.1.w5)

Further information on Disease Agents has only been incorporated for agents recorded in species for which a full Wildpro "Health and Management" module has been completed (i.e. for which a comprehensive literature review has been undertaken). Only those agents with further information available are linked below:

Infective "Taxa"

Specifically recorded for waterfowl:

Specifically recorded for Erinaceus europaeus - West European Hedgehog:

  • Salmonella dublin (B22.27.w3)
  • Salmonella enteritidis (J139.23.w1, B22.27.w3) phage type 11(J3.128.w2, J15.21.w1, B228.9.w9)J93.38.w2; serovar phage type 9a. (J93.38.w2)
  • Salmonella typhimurium (B22.27.w3, J15.21.w1)
  • Salmonella brancaster (J3.128.w2)
  • Salmonella edmonton (J3.128.w2, B228.9.w9)
  • Salmonella thompson (J3.128.w2, J139.23.w1, B228.9.w9)
  • Salmonella stanleyville (J3.128.w2, J139.23.w1, B228.9.w9)
  • Salmonella paratyphi B (J3.128.w2)
  • Salmonella dublin (J3.128.w2)
  • Salmonella adasuta (B228.9.w9) 
  • Salmonella bispeberg  (B228.9.w9)
  • Salmonella carro (B228.9.w9)
  • Salmonella halle (B228.9.w9) 
  • Salmonella kisarewe (B228.9.w9)
  • Salmonella miami (B228.9.w9)
  • Salmonella sofia (J18.38.w1)

In Elephants:

Specifically recorded for Elephas maximus - Asian Elephant:

Specifically recorded for Loxodonta africana - African Elephant:

  • Salmonella enteritidis (J25.4.w1)
  • Salmonella hadar (J3.115.w3)
  • Salmonella heildeberg (J35.132.w1) 
  • Salmonella newport (J35.132.w1)
  • Salmonella oslo (J79.21.w1)
  • Salmonella typhimurium (J3.65.w1, J4.185.w1, J35.132.w1, P1.1985.w3, P30.1.w5)

In Bears:

Non-infective agents

--

Physical agents

-- Indirect / Secondary

Return to top of page

References

Disease Author

Debra Bourne MA VetMB PhD MRCVS (V.w5); Gracia Vila-Garcia DVM, MSc, MRCVS (V.w67)
Click image for main Reference Section

Major References / Reviews

Code and Title List

B9.6.w1, B10.26.w10, B11.39.w7, B11.40.w8, B13.46.w1, B14, B15, B16.19.w1, B18, B32.3.w25, B36.9.w9, B37.x.w1, B47, B48.7.w7, B101, B336.65.w65

J2.19.w2
J3.65.w1, J3.70.w3, J3.96.w1, J3.97.w4, J3.115.w3, J3.128.w2, J3.136.w2
J4.100.w1, J4.129.w1, J4.163.w2, J4.185.w1
J5.5.w2, J5.6.w2
J6.10.w3
J7.13.w1
J35.123.w1, J35.132.w1

J25.4.w1

P1.1985.w3, P30.1.w5
P23.1999S.w3, P23.1999S.w8
D48

Hedgehogs:

Erinaceus europaeus - West European Hedgehog:

Elephants:

Elephas maximus - Asian Elephant:

Loxodonta africana - African Elephant:

Bears:

Other References

Code and Title List

J1.100.w1
J5.10.w1
J35.123.w1
J36.41.w1

Hedgehogs:

Erinaceus europaeus - West European Hedgehog:

Elephants:

Loxodonta africana - African Elephant:

Return to top of  page

Clinical Characteristics and Pathology

Detailed Clinical and Pathological Characteristics

General

Birds
  • Acute septicaemic to chronic, localised or subclinical disease. Usually seen as an intestinal infection with enteritis, diarrhoea and terminal septicaemia and death. Also as a commensal. (B48.7.w7)
Mammals
  • May cause diarrhoea in juveniles and more rarely adults, and death from acute enteritis without time for the development of diarrhoea in neonates. (B58.29.w29)
WATERFOWL
HEDGEHOGS 
  • Gastro-intestinal disease (particularly around weaning), sometimes respiratory signs and in juveniles sudden death. (J15.21.w1, B16.13.w13, B22.27.w3)
ELEPHANTS
  • Disease ranging from gastroenteritis and weakness to acute septicaemia causing sudden death has been recorded in juveniles and animals under stress. (B10.49.w21, B450.23.w23, D301.3.w3, J2.19.w2, J3.65.w1, J3.115.w3, J4.185.w1, J35.132.w1, J25.4.w1, J79.21.w1, P1.1985.w3)
  • Commonly reported as fatal after one to three days or after weeks. (B214.3.7.w3)
  • May result in abortion. (P30.1.w5)
  • Has been associated with cholelithiasis. (J4.163.w2)
  • Has been associated with necrosis of the extremities as a sequela of chronic salmonellosis in calves. (J3.115.w3)
Clinical Characteristics Mammals
  • Variable.
  • Sudden death to chronic.
  • Diarrhoea.
  • (B58.29.w29).

Birds

  • Variable. 
    • Acute to chronic;
    • Septicaemic to localised;
    • Subclinical or mild to severe;
    • Mild infections may produce vague nonspecific signs.
  • Acute disease is seen most frequently in juveniles. 

  • Emaciation and weakness may be seen in chronically infected adults

  • Affected birds may appear weak, lethargic.
  • May be visibly ill for several days before death or die more rapidly (D48)
  • May continue trying to eat until close to death.
  • Fluffed-up plumage
  • Diarrhoea
  • Elevated or subnormal temperature
  • Chronic arthrosynovitis: chronic pain/swelling/stiffness of joint(s)
  • Emaciation and weakness
  • Panophthalmitis: Blindness. Eyeball may be replaced by a mass of inspissated white pus
  • Acute septicaemic infection may be fatal or last for one to several weeks 
  • In pigeons, listlessness, growth retardation and usually diarrhoea.

(B48.7.w7, J35.123.w1, J3.136.w2, D48).

WATERFOWL 
  • Variable: Acute to chronic, septicaemic or localised, subclinical. Peracute or acute septicaemia common with infection of neonates.
  • Sudden death, drowsiness and depression, anorexia, weight loss, stunting of growth, polydipsia (excessive thirst), increased cloacal temperature, pale oral mucosa, ruffled plumage, drooping tail, diarrhoea and soiling of vent feathers may all be seen.
  • In domestic ducklings, dehydration, emaciation and pasting of the vent with urates were common, while variable signs included gasping for air, apparent blindness, swollen-shut oedematous eyelids, apparent blindness, locomotor incoordination, tremor and occasionally opisthotonus (J5.5.w2, J5.6.w2).
  • In chronic infection of adult birds, weakness and emaciation may be seen.
  • Carriers may show no clinical signs.

Yolk sac Infection:

(J4.100.w1, J4.129.w1, B11.39.w7, B11.40.w8, B13.46.w1, B16.19.w1, B37.x.w1, B48.7.w7)

HEDGEHOGS

  • Diarrhoea, anorexia and weight loss but no deaths. (B16.13.w13, B271.29.w29)
  • Persistent weight loss, green diarrhoea, prolapse of rectum or bowel, dyspnoea. (J15.21.w1)
  • Sudden death in unweaned juveniles.(J15.21.w1)
  • Enteritis, sometimes with septicaemia. (B291.12.w12)
  • Mucoid diarrhoea, dehydration, anorexia and death. (B22.27.w3)
  • May be asymptomatic (B291.12.w12): Salmonella spp. have been found in 28% of clinically healthy hedgehogs. (B22.27.w3)
ELEPHANTS
  • Sudden death in calves, resulted from septicaemia. (J25.4.w1)
  • Diarrhoea, preceded by anorexia, depression and weakness. (B10.49.w21, B214.3.7.w3, D301.3.w3, J2.19.w2, J4.185.w1, J79.21.w1, P1.1985.w3, P30.1.w5)
    • In some cases the diarrhoea has been described as haemorrhagic. (J3.65.w1)
    • Mucoid diarrhoea. (P30.1.w5, D301.3.w3)
    • Intestinal casts are frequently passed. (J3.115.w3)
  • Marked loss of weight. (J35.132.w1, P30.1.w5)
  • Ventral oedema, varying in size depending on exercise, has been recorded. (B450.18.w18, B450. 23.w23, P1.1985.w3)
  • Vesicles and serous fluids on the feet have been seen associated with the disease. (J3.115.w3)
  • Two female elephants, 14 and 24 months pregnant, aborted two weeks and six weeks after the first signs of disease, respectively. (P30.1.w5)
  • Reluctance to lie down and signs of abdominal discomfort. (D301.3.w3, J4.185.w1, P1.1985.w3, P30.1.w5)
  • Jaundice. (J4.163.w2) 
  • Death of some of the animals affected occurred a few days after first symptoms were recorded. (J3.65.w1, J3.115.w3, J4.185.w1)
  • Note: Salmonellosis in elephants does not always present with diarrhoea. (V.w72)
BEARS
  • Diarrhoea was seen in a captive nine-day- old grizzly bear (Ursus arctos horribilis) [Ursus arctos - Brown bear] cub; rotavirus and Salmonella agona were isolated. (J4.183.w4)

Incubation

WATERFOWL
  • Variable. 
  • Peracute to chronic. 
  • Acute septicaemia and enteritis, chronic enteritis, chronic arthritis and prolonged carrier status all reported. 
  • Ducklings are usually ill for two to three days before death.

 (J5.5.w2, J6.10.w 3, B15).

HEDGEHOGS --
ELEPHANTS
  • Two elephants from a group of  20 became ill and were the only ones that had access to pooled water contaminated with faeces, a few days before developing symptoms. (J4.185.w1) 

Mortality / Morbidity

Birds and mammals generally:
  • Variable morbidity, has been associated with mortality.
  • Outbreaks in garden birds, mortality may be greater than 50% in a local population (D48, P23.1999S.w3). 
WATERFOWL
  • Infection common in young domestic ducklings, rare in free-living waterfowl. 
  • Morbidity and mortality in domestic duck flocks usually under 10%. 
  • Deaths of 2,000 of 16,000 mallard ducklings (12%) occurred during one outbreak affecting ducklings one day to four weeks old.

 (J4.129.w1, J5.5.w2, B13.46.w1, B15).

HEDGEHOGS
  • Infection is common in hedgehogs (Erinaceus europaeus - West European Hedgehog) in both England (25.0% of individuals) (Salmonella enteritidis) and New Zealand (39.4% of individuals) (Salmonella typhimurium). (J18.38.w1) 
  • Salmonella enteritidis phage type 11 found in 13/74 dead wild hedgehogs; Salmonella typhimurium  phage type 104 found in one animal: infection in 18.9% of animals (J3.128.w2)
  • Two surveys in Germany found Salmonella spp. in 49 of 410 animals (11.9%) (J138.61.w1)and 17.1% of 637 animals. (J3.128.w2)
  • Death was attributed to salmonellosis in 78/109 hedgehog carcasses from which the organism was isolated at a laboratory in Germany. (J138.66.w1)
  • Incidence of 14.7% (of 34 hedgehogs) for isolation of Salmonella spp. in Italy. (B228.9.w9)
  • Rates of disease are lower than rates of infection. (J3.128.w2)
ELEPHANTS
  • Two juvenile elephants that had access to pooled water contaminated with faeces were diagnosed with clinical salmonellosis; one of them died. (J4.185.w1) 
  • Two juvenile elephants that died as consequence of Salmonella typhimurium infection had access to a water supply contaminated with faeces. (J3.65.w1)
  • Salmonella typhimurium was isolated in an outbreak of the disease that affected a group of four adult elephants and resulted in abortion in two females. (P30.1.w5)
  • In the only recorded outbreak of salmonellosis in Loxodonta africana - African Elephants captured and confined in bomas in the Kruger National Park, involving Salmonella typhimurium, morbidity was "high" and mortality "significant". (B70.B4.w1)
  • A single fatal case of Salmonella hadar infection has occurred in a captive Loxodonta africana - African Elephant in the UK. (B70.B4.w1)

Pathology

Birds

Gross pathology:

  • General body condition: Commonly very thin
  • Septicaemic lesions.
  • Gastro-intestinal tract - Crop wall may have areas of ulceration and abscessation (diffuse or multiple 1-5mm yellow nodules). Crop may be full indicating crop stasis.
  • Liver: May be enlarged and congested may contain focal lesions.
  • Spleen - may be enlarged and congested, may contain focal lesions.
  • Kidney: may be congested.
  • Respiratory tract - Lungs may be congested, contain focal lesions.
  • Musculoskeletal -  joints may contain lesions.
  • Eyes - may be lesions - Panophthalmitis: eyeball may be replaced by a mass of inspissated white pus.

(D48, J3.136.w2)

Mammals
WATERFOWL GENERALISED INFECTION:

Gross Pathology:

  • Gross lesions may be seen in chronic disease, but in peracute infection there may be no lesions or only a slightly swollen pale liver.
  • Pasting of vent visible externally.
  • Gastro-intestinal tract - lower small intestine, caeca and rectum usually affected. Enteritis, enlarged and mottled lower small intestine and rectum, caseous caecal plugs or cores.
  • Liver - miliary abscesses/focal hepatic necrosis
  • Spleen - splenomegaly (may be six times normal size), often pale, mottled.
  • Kidney - Pale. Urate accumulation in ureters.
  • Central nervous system - meningitis, with cerebral meninges opaque and thickened.
  • Yolk sac - brownish, unabsorbed (See Omphalitis / Yolk Sacculitis) (J4.100.w1, J5.5.w2).

Histopathology:

  • Gastro-intestinal tract - May be inflammatory exudate on serosal surface. Infiltrate of heterophils in muscular and fibrous layers of the intestine, loss of villi and sloughing of mucosa (sometimes complete) and considerable exudate in lumen.
  • Liver - foci of necrosis. Heterophil foci throughout the liver. Exudate around the bile ducts and blood vessels and some intralobular septa, also mainly of heterophils.
  • Spleen - diffuse heterophil infiltration, occasionally necrotic foci.
  • Kidney - massive interstitial heterophil infiltrate, congestion of small vessels, frequently casts in tubules.
  • Respiratory tract - occasional congestion and heterophil infiltrate in lung parenchyma and affecting tunica externa and media of pulmonary arteries. Exudate containing heterophils may be seen on the peritoneal surface of the air sacs.
  • Heart - variable pericarditis and epicarditis. Mainly heterophil exudates, sometimes extending into the myocardium.
  • Central nervous system -
    Brain: Acute heterophilic leptomeningitis. Exudate filled with mainly heterophils. Arteritis and periarteritis in leptomeninges and also deep in cerebrum, with heterophil accumulation around vessels and in tunica media. Distension of lateral ventricles by inflamed choroid plexi, also with predominantly heterophil exudate.
    Spinal cord: Distension of spinal cord leptomeninges and heterophil exudate in central canal may be seen.
    Optic: heterophil perineuritis of optic chiasma, and optic neuritis.
    (J5.5.w2).

ARTHRITIS:

  • Swelling of affected joint. Joint distended with accumulated exudate. Frequently thickened joint capsule. Inflammation of periarticular soft tissues and tendon sheaths. Exudate may be cloudy, fibrino-purulent and red-brown. Sometimes dryish and yellow-grey.
  • Articular cartilage degenerated and necrotic, sometimes extending to affect subchondral bone.
    (J6.10.w3).

CHRONIC REPRODUCTIVE TRACT INFECTION:

  • Oophoritis may occur in females and orchiditis in males.

YOLK SAC INFECTION:

(J4.129.w1, J5.6.w2, B10.26.w10, B11.40.w8, B16.19.w1, B37.x.w1)

HEDGEHOGS
ELEPHANTS Gross Pathology:
  • Ventral subcutaneous oedema and generalized lymphadenopathy. (P1.1985.w3)
  • Subcutaneous haemorrhage of the forelimbs and abdominal surface. (J4.163.w2)
  • Gastro-intestinal: 
    • Gastroenteritis with thickening of the mucosa and a diphtheritic deposit on the mucosa of the intestine. (J2.19.w2, J25.4.w1)
    • Oedematous mucosal inflammation of the small intestines. (J4.163.w2)
    • Congestion, necrotic foci and ulceration of the stomach and intestinal mucosa. (J2.19.w2)
    • Haemorrhages of the serosa and mucosa of small intestines. (J4.185.w1)
    • Haemorrhagic content of the gastrointestinal tract. (J2.19.w2) 
    • Severe generalized necrosis of the intestines. (J35.132.w1)
  • Liver: 
    • White foci and congestion (J2.19.w2, P1.1985.w3)
    • Hepatomegaly with rounded edges due to inflammation; pale and friable. The hepatic duct was dilated and contained faceted gallstones. The biliary ducts were thickened and dilated, filled with opaque light yellow bile and stones varying in size. (J4.163.w2)
  • Spleen: White foci. (P1.1985.w3)
  • Kidneys: Congestion.(J2.19.w2)
  • Urinary:  Fibrin-like clots in bladder. (J25.4.w1)
  • Heart: Petechial haemorrhages on both auricles, the atrioventricular valves and the epicardium. (J2.19.w2)
  • Lungs: Congestion. (J2.19.w2)

Histopathology:

  • Gastro-intestinal: 
    • Acute, necrotic ulceration of the intestinal mucosa, with extensive epithelial loss, oedema, congestion and perivascular haemorrages. Polymorphonuclear inflammatory infiltration and bacterial colonies were found in  superficial necrotic tissue. (J4.185.w1)
  • Liver: Acute necrosis and gram negative rods were found in tissue section. (P1.1985.w3)
  • Spleen: Congestion with large numbers of macrophages and haemosiderin. (J4.163.w2)
  • Brain: Focal granulomatous lesion on the left temporal lobe of the cerebral cortex. (B450.23.w23)

Return to top of page

Human Health Considerations

  • Important zoonosis causing febrile gastroenteritis and sometimes bacteraemia.
  • The main route of infection is by ingestion.
  • Usually self-limiting.
  • Particularly important in the very young, very old and in persons who may be immunocompromised. 
  • Notifiable disease in the UK
  • Wild birds may be a source of infection for humans, as may various mammals and also reptiles. (P24.327.w4)
  • N.B. human carriers may be the source of infection for birds
  • Incubation period usually six to 72 hours. (B23.22.w5, P24.327.w4) 
  • Clinical signs include diarrhoea, vomiting, nausea, abdominal pain, anorexia and headache; dehydration may result. (P24.327.w4)
  • Recovery usually in less than one week, in adults. (B23.22.w5); may be eight to nine days. (P24.327.w4)

(J35.123.w1, B11.39.w7, B14, B16.19.w1, B23.22.w5, B32.3.w25, B36.9.w9, B37.x.w1, B47, B48.7.w7, B336.65.w65, P23.1999S.w3, P23.1999S.w8, P24.327.w4, D48

HEDGEHOGS (Erinaceus europaeus - West European Hedgehog):

  • Potential for development of carrier state and related public health hazard. (B16.13.w13)
  • Hedgehog faeces in gardens constitute a potential zoonotic hazard for humans (and for household pets). (J10.12.w1)
  • Salmonella enteritidis phage type 11, which is commonly found in hedgehogs in the UK, is known to be seen in clinical cases of salmonellosis in humans. (J3.128.w2)
  • Hedgehogs positive for Salmonella enteritidis phage type 11 have been in gardens, presenting a possible human health hazard, particularly for children. (J3.128.w2)
  • Strains of Salmonella enterica serovar Enteritidis found in humans and hedgehogs in Denmark were identical or very similar to one another. (J93.38.w2)
  • High prevalence of Salmonella typhimurium in samples of hedgehog faeces in Norway in an area (Jeloy, south-east Norway) simultaneously with an outbreak of salmonellosis due to Salmonella typhimurium in humans. (P35.3.w18)
  • Hygienic precautions are recommended when handling hedgehogs, hedgehog faeces and utensils used with hedgehogs. (J3.128.w2)
  • Owners/carers must be reminded of the zoonotic potential of salmonella infection and the chance that an infected hedgehog may become a carrier. (J34.24.w1)
  • In Canada during the period 1994-1996 cases of human salmonellosis (in infants and young children) was associated with salmonellae in pet African pygmy hedgehogs Atelerix albiventris. (J93.35.w1)
  • Salmonella tilene has been isolated from African pygmy hedgehogs [Atelerix albiventris] in the USA associated with human salmonellosis. (W170.Sept02.H1)
  • In Norway, Salmonella Typhimurium was detected in samples from 39% of 99 hedgehogs sampled in the area of one human outbreak (Jeloy) and in 41% of 82 hedgehogs samples in the area of another outbreak (Askoy, Bergen and Os), but in 0% of 115 and 24 individuals sampled from two other locations. The PFGE profiles of the hedgehog isolated matched those of the isolates from humans in the same locality. It was considered likely that the hedgehogs constituted the primary source for the human infections. (J19.128.w1)

ELEPHANTS:

  • A multi-serotype Salmonella infection affected a group of six calves Loxodonta africana - African Elephant. In the same park one of the elephant keepers and some other members of the staff suffered from vomiting and diarrhoea. Despite investigation by the local Medical Officer of Health the source of the disease was not determined. (J35.132.w1) 
  • Salmonella enteritidis serotype was isolated from a Loxodonta africana - African Elephant; this commonly infects man and the possibility of a human carrier was outlined. (J25.4.w1)
  • Salmonella typhimurium was isolated in the only recorded outbreak of salmonellosis in Loxodonta africana - African Elephants captured and confined in bomas in the Kruger National Park. (B70.B4.w1)
  • A single fatal case of Salmonella hadar infection has occurred in a captive Loxodonta africana - African Elephant in the UK. (B70.B4.w1)
  • Salmonella typhimurium was isolated from one of two Elephas maximus - Asian Elephant calves dead as consequence of the infection; the bacteria were suspected to come from the faecally-polluted water supply in the zoo. The contamination source was presumed to be earth closets used by the public. (J3.65.w1)
  • Salmonella typhimurium was isolated from a Elephas maximus - Asian Elephant that died of severe fibronecrotic enterocolitis (the same animal was found at post mortem examination to be infected with Mycobacterium tuberculosis). (J2.32.w1)
  • Salmonella blockey was isolated in two cases of infection in Elephas maximus - Asian Elephant in Malaysia. This agent is known to be a local human pathogen, but no attempts were made to screen the keepers. (J2.19.w2)

Return to top of page

Susceptibility / Transmission

General information on Susceptibility / Transmission

SALMONELLA HAVE BEEN ISOLATED FROM A WIDE RANGE OF MAMMALS, BIRDS, REPTILES AND AMPHIBIANS.

Susceptibility:

  • The outcome of Salmonella spp. infections is dependent upon species, age and concurrent stress, as well as Salmonella spp. serovar and strain virulence
  • Young animals are more susceptible to acute infection than are adults; mortality is higher in juveniles.
    • In waterfowl clinical disease is seen mainly in young ducklings and is usually secondary to other disease or stress
  • A wide variety of stressors including inclement weather, overcrowding, hospitalisation, transportation, training, parasitism, parturition etc. may predispose animals to the development of salmonellosis.
  • Epidemics are usually related to stressors such as food shortage, breeding, climatic changes, cold stress and overcrowding.

Transmission:

  • Ingestion of contaminated food or water, and inhalation of infective dust from dry faeces.
  • Excreted by infected individuals, including apparently-healthy carriers.
  • Also carried mechanically by rodents, insects, water, people, various species of wild birds and in e.g. sewage outflows.
  • Also via infected eggs in incubators (infection passed on from infected adults).

(J4.100.w1, J4.129.w1, B9.6.w1, B10.26.w10, B11.39.w7, B13.46.w1, B15, B18, B36.9.w9, B47, B48.7.w7, B336.65.w65, D48).

HEDGEHOGS Susceptibility:

Transmission:

  • Transmission route is not known. (J3.128.w2)
  • Faecal route is likely: the organism was isolated from the gut in 8/13 9nfected individuals (61.5%).  (J3.128.w2)
  • Fleas and slugs may be involved in the spread of salmonella between hedgehogs. (J3.128.w2)
  • Prevalence of Salmonella Typhimurium was significantly higher in hedgehogs collected from places where they were fed than from those collected from other locations in the same area. (J19.128.w1)
ELEPHANTS Susceptibility:
  • Disease has been reported in captive animals or captive wild-caught animals after capture. (J2.19.w2, J3.65.w1, J4.185.w1, J35.132.w1, J25.4.w1, J79.21.w1, P1.1985.w3, P30.1.w5)
  • Post-capture stress and concurrent diseases such as wounds may play a very important role on the development of the infection. (J2.19.w2, J35.132.w1)
  • Juveniles are particularly susceptible to the development of acute salmonellosis, whilst adults may become asymptomatic carriers. (J3.65.w1, J4.185.w1, J35.132.w1, J25.4.w1)
  • Susceptibility to disease may be increased in individuals under stress. (J2.19.w2, J4.185.w1, J25.4.w1, P30.1.w5)

Transmission:

  • The transmission routes in detected cases have not been determined, but water contaminated with faeces has been suggested as the source of infection. (J3.65.w1, J3.115.w3, J4.185.w1)
  • Contact with humans has been suggested as the source of infection. (J2.19.w2, J3.65.w1, J4.185.w1, J35.132.w1, J25.4.w1)
  • Contamination of food by rodents has also been involved in the transmission of salmonellosis. (J4.185.w1)

Return to top of  page

Disease has been reported in either the wild or in captivity in:

Waterfowl:

  • Ducks, geese (B36.9.w9).
  • White Pekin ducks Anas platyrhynchos domesticus on Long Island, New York, USA; mainly Salmonella typhimurium (J5.5.w2, J5.6.w2).
  • Free-range domestic ducks Anas platyrhynchos domesticus with arthritis. (J6.10.w3)
  • Wood ducks Aix sponsa being reared in Illinois, USA. (J1.100.w1)
  • Mallard ducklings, 1day to four weeks old, reared in Maryland, USA. Acute septicaemia with 12% lost from 16,000 birds; both Salmonella typhimurium and Salmonella anatum identified. (J4.129.w1)
  • Tufted duck Aythya fuligula, scaup Aythya marila, goosanders (common merganser) Mergus merganser on the coast of Schleswig-Holstein, Germany, utilising areas fed by warm waste-water in severe frosty weather. (J7.13.w1)
  • Mute swans Cygnus olor taken to a rescue centre for treatment after pollution with light oil, from a river known to be polluted from e.g. storm sewage overflows. (J3.97.w4)
  • Infection with Salmonella typhimurium reported in a wild tufted duck Aythya fuligula in the UK, with a note that infection had also been recorded in a mallard (J3.70.w3)
  • Infection reported, mainly with Salmonella typhimurium, in domestic ducks in the UK (1968-1973) (J3.96.w1).
  • Salmonella typhimurium isolated from a Whooper swan Cygnus cygnus and two mute swans Cygnus olor dying from other illnesses in Scotland, UK (J36.41.w1).
  • Isolation from a mallard Anas platyrhynchos and a mute swan Cygnus olor in the UK; also noted infection reported in barnacle goose Branta leucopsis from Schleswig Holstein, Germany. (J35.123.w1)
  • Salmonella spp. were isolated from waterfowl submitted for diagnostic evaluation in Massachusetts, USA: ducklings, 0-4 weeks old, in which isolations were made variously from the heart, liver, yolk sac and intestines, and a swan, in which isolation was made from the intestines. (J5.10.w1)

In Hedgehogs:

  • Hedgehogs; primary salmonellosis in wild hedgehogs, also sudden death in unweaned juveniles and gastrointestinal disease around weaning time. (J15.21.w1)
  • Common in hedgehogs in both England (25.0% of individuals) (Salmonella enteritidis) and New Zealand (39.4% of individuals) (Salmonella typhimurium). Salmonella sofia has been isolated from the alimentary tract of hedgehogs in Europe. (J18.38.w1)
  • Hedgehogs in East Anglia, England, UK: Salmonella enteritidis phage type 11 found 13/74 dead wild hedgehogs; Salmonella typhimurium  phage type 104 found in one animal. (J3.128.w2)
  • Hedgehogs have also been reported infected with Salmonella brancaster in the UK, Salmonella edmonton, Salmonella thompson, Salmonella stanleyville, Salmonella paratyphi B and Salmonella dublin in Italy. In Germany Salmonella enteritidis (phage type not stated), was the dominant serotype, but Salmonella typhimurium var copenhagen and 10 other serovars were also isolated. (J3.128.w2)
  • Incidence of 14.7% (of 34 hedgehogs) for isolation of Salmonella spp. in Italy: Salmonella edmonton, Salmonella thompson, Salmonella stanleyville, and Salmonella enteritidis have been isolated. (B228.9.w9)
  • In Sicily, Salmonella dublin, Salmonella paratyphi and Salmonella typhimurium have been isolated from hedgehogs. (B228.9.w9)
  • In Greece, Salmonella adasuta, Salmonella bispebergSalmonella carro, Salmonella halle, Salmonella kisarewe and Salmonella miami  have been isolated from hedgehogs. (B228.9.w9)
  • Salmonella enterica serovar Enteridis phage type 11 and phage type 9a (10 and six strains respectively), also seven strains not conforming to a known phage types, were isolated from hedgehogs in Denmark, 1994-1998. (J93.38.w2)
  • High prevalence of Salmonella typhimurium in samples of hedgehog faeces in Norway in an area (Jeloy, south-east Norway) simultaneously with an outbreak of salmonellosis due to Salmonella typhimurium in humans. (P35.3.w18)
  • In Norway Salmonella Typhimurium was detected in samples from 39% of 99 hedgehogs sampled in the area of one human outbreak (Jeloy) and in 41% of 82 hedgehogs samples in the area of another outbreak (Askoy, Bergen and Os), but in 0% of 115 and 24 individuals sampled from two other locations. The PFGE profiles of the hedgehog isolated matched those of the isolates from humans in the same locality. It was considered likely that the hedgehogs constituted the primary source for the human infections. (J19.128.w1)
  • Salmonella enteritidis isolated from faeces in a captive colony of hedgehogs in Nottingham, UK, associated with loss of condition in some individuals. (B271.29.w29)
  • Salmonella enteritidis, Salmonella thompson and Salmonella stanleyville, sometimes in combined infections, were detected during a survey in Italy. (J139.23.w1)
  • Salmonella typhimurium isolated from the faeces of 13/33 wild hedgehogs from Hamilton, New Zealand, and from a combined homogenate of liver, spleen and mesenteric lymph nodes in 3/9 animals (all three of which also had the organism in their faeces); one animal was positive for Salmonella typhimurium in the faces but negative from the homogenised organs. (J10.12.w1)
  • In the UK, isolates have been made from hedgehogs of Salmonella brancaster and Salmonella enteritidis var. jena; additional isolates from hedgehogs outside the UK include Salmonella adamstua, Salmonella bispebjerg, Salmonella cerro, Salmonella halle, Salmonella kisarawe and Salmonella miami. (P17.24.w1)
  • Salmonellosis was diagnosed in 49/410 hedgehogs Erinaceus europaeus examined post mortem 1975-1979. (J138.61.w1)
  • Salmonellae were isolated from 47/1721 (2.7%) of hedgehog faecal samples and from 109/637 (17.1%) of hedgehog carcasses submitted to a laboratory in Germany and death was attributed to salmonellosis in 78/109 of the individuals from which the organism was isolated. Salmonella enteritidis was isolated in 70/78 cases of salmonella septicaemia as well as in 16/31 latent infections and 23/47 positive faecal samples. Other isolates from diseased individuals included Salmonella typhimurium and Salmonella copenhagen. (J138.66.w1)
  • Salmonella enteritidis was isolated from the lymph nodes of 8/200 hedgehogs (Erinaceus europaeus) from three locations in New Zealand (4/19 animals from Wairarapa, 4/53 animals from North Canterbury, but 0/128 animals from Otoag). Salmonella typhimurium was isolated from the lymph nodes of two individuals from Palmerston North. (J195.24.w1)
  • Salmonella tilene has been isolated from African pygmy hedgehogs [Atelerix albiventris (Atelerix albiventris - Four-toed hedgehog)] in Canada (associated with salmonellosis in human children); Salmonella typhimurium has also been isolated. (J93.35.w1)
  • Salmonella tilene has been isolated from African pygmy hedgehogs [Atelerix albiventris] in the USA associated with human salmonellosis. (W170.Sept02.H1)

In Elephants:

Elephas maximus - Asian Elephant
  • Salmonella oslo was isolated post mortem from a 15-year old circus elephant imported to France from Ceylon. (J79.21.w1)
  • Salmonella typhimurium was isolated from one of two calves that died as consequence of the infection in the zoological gardens of Sri Lanka (former Ceylon). (J3.65.w1)
  • Salmonella blockey was recover from the liver, mesenteric lymph node and heart blood from two Asian elephant calves kept in captivity in Malaysia. (J2.19.w2)

Loxodonta africana - African Elephant

  • Salmonella enteritidis was isolated from post mortem tissues of two elephants in a holding ground in Nairobi where several juveniles were kept after being trapped in Uganda several months before. (J25.4.w1)
  • Salmonella montevideo (group C) was isolated from frozen faeces collected post mortem in a juvenile elephant at the San Diego Wild Animal Park. Salmonella typhimurium was later isolated from fresh faeces in an asymptomatic elephant from the same herd. (J4.185.w1)
  • Salmonella typhimurium was isolated in an outbreak of salmonellosis in Oakland Zoo that affected four animals and resulted in abortion in two cases. (P30.1.w5)
  • A multi-serotype Salmonella infection was confirmed in a group of six three-and-a-half-year-old captive wild-caught elephants previously infested with intestinal flukes in a zoological park in Southern England. (J35.132.w1)

In bears:

  • Rotavirus and Salmonella agona were isolated from a captive nine-day-old grizzly bear (Ursus arctos horribilis) [Ursus arctos - Brown bear] cub with diarrhoea. (J4.183.w4)
  • Salmonella sp. was isolated from a seven-year-old, captive Kodiak bear (Ursus arctos - Brown bear) in a case of antibiotic-associated colitis caused by Clostridium difficile (See: Clostridium difficile Infection in Bears). (J13.44.w1)
  • A survey of Ursus americanus - American black bears in Florida, detected Salmonella litchfield in a five-month-old cub from Alachua county. (B419.14.w14)
  • Salmonellosis (Salmonella typhimurium in five cases, Salmonella dublin in one case, Salmonella abony in one case, unspecified in one case) was considered the primary cause of death in eight Ursus arctos - Brown bear cubs at Rostock zoo and was a secondary finding in several other cubs. (P5.29.w5)

Further information on Host species has only been incorporated for species groups for which a full Wildpro "Health and Management" module has been completed (i.e. for which a comprehensive literature review has been undertaken). Host species with further information available are listed below:

Host Species List

BIRDS:

MAMMALS:

(List does not contain all other species groups affected by this infectious agent)

Return to top of  page

Disease has been specifically reported in Free-ranging populations of:

  • Various garden birds including greenfinches, chaffinches, house sparrows, bullfinches (D48)
  • Salmonella typhimurium has been isolated from feral pigeons (Columba livia - Rock pigeon), greenfinches (Carduelis chloris - European greenfinch), tawny owl (Strix aluco - Tawny owl), hooded crow (Corvus corone - Carrion crow ), rook (Corvus frugilegus - Rook), red-throated diver (Gavia stellata - Red-throated loon), mallard (Anas platyrhynchos - Mallard), mute swan (Cygnus olor - Mute swan), house sparrows (Passer domesticus - House sparrow), herring gull (Larus argentatus - Herring gull), wood pigeon (Columba palumbas - Common wood-pigeon), starlings (Sturnus vulgaris - Common starling) (J35.123.w1)
  • Greenfinches (Carduelis chloris - European greenfinch), chaffinch (Fringilla coelebs - Chaffinch), house sparrows (Passer domesticus - House sparrow), great tit (Parus major - Great tit), herring gull (Larus argentatus - Herring gull), and harbour porpoise (Phocoena phocoena - Harbour porpoise) during 1996-1997 (N5.3.w1).
  • Young pigeon (Columba livia - Rock pigeon) in 1999; also roe deer (Capreolus capreolus - Western roe deer), hedgehog (Erinaceus europaeus - West European hedgehog), harbour porpoise (Phocoena phocoena - Harbour porpoise), seal (species not given) and cultured from the faeces of badger (Meles meles - Eurasian badger) on a farm with the same organism (Salmonella agama) isolated from cows.(D49)
  • Tufted duck Aythya fuligula, scaup Aythya marila, goosanders (common merganser) Mergus merganser on the coast of Schleswig-Holstein, Germany, utilising areas fed by warm waste-water in severe frosty weather (J7.13.w1).
  • Mallard Anas platyrhynchos, mute swan Cygnus olor in the UK; also noted infection reported in barnacle goose Branta leucopsis from Schleswig Holstein, Germany (J35.123.w1).
  • Mute swans Cygnus olor taken to a rescue centre for treatment after pollution with light oil, from a river known to be polluted from e.g. storm sewage overflows (J3.97.w4).
  • Infection with Salmonella typhimurium reported in a wild tufted duck Aythya fuligula in the UK (J3.70.w3).

In Hedgehogs:

  • Hedgehogs (Erinaceus europaeus - West European Hedgehog); primary salmonellosis in wild hedgehogs.(J15.21.w1)
  • Hedgehogs in East Anglia, England, UK: Salmonella enteritidis phage type 11 found 13/74 dead wild hedgehogs; Salmonella typhimurium  phage type 104 found in one animal. (J3.128.w2)
  • High prevalence of Salmonella typhimurium in samples of hedgehog faeces in Norway in an area (Jeloy, south-east Norway) simultaneously with an outbreak of salmonellosis due to Salmonella typhimurium in humans. (P35.3.w18)
  • In Norway Salmonella Typhimurium was detected in samples from 39% of 99 hedgehogs sampled in the area of one human outbreak (Jeloy) and in 41% of 82 hedgehogs samples in the area of another outbreak (Askoy, Bergen and Os), but in 0% of 115 and 24 individuals sampled from two other locations. The PFGE profiles of the hedgehog isolated matched those of the isolates from humans in the same locality. It was considered likely that the hedgehogs constituted the primary source for the human infections. (J19.128.w1)
  • Salmonella enteritidis, Salmonella thompson and Salmonella stanleyville, sometimes in combined infections, were detected during a survey in Italy. (J139.23.w1)
  • Salmonella typhimurium isolated from the faeces of 13/33 wild hedgehogs from Hamilton, New Zealand, and from a combined homogenate of liver, spleen and mesenteric lymph nodes in 3/9 animals (all three of which also had the organism in their faeces); one animal was positive for Salmonella typhimurium in the faces but negative from the homogenised organs. (J10.12.w1)
  • Salmonellosis was diagnosed in 49/410 hedgehogs Erinaceus europaeus examined post mortem 1975-1979. (J138.61.w1)

In bears:

Further information on Host species has only been incorporated for species groups for which a full Wildpro "Health and Management" module has been completed (i.e. for which a comprehensive literature review has been undertaken). Host species with further information available are listed below:

Host Species List

BIRDS:

MAMMALS:

(List does not contain all other species groups affected by this infectious agent)

Return to top of page

Environment/Geography

General Information on Environmental Factors/Events and Seasonality

  • Resistance is reduced by stressors such as extreme environmental temperatures, inclement weather and low nutritional planes (B47, B48.7.w7)
  • Outbreaks in wild birds may be more common in winter (J35.123.w1)

Return to top of  page

Regions / Countries where the Infectious Agent or Disease has been recorded

Worldwide (B32.3.w25, B36.9.w9).

Return to top of  page

Regions / Countries where the Infectious Agent or Disease has been recorded in Free-ranging populations

--

Return to top of  page

General Investigation / Diagnosis

General Information on Investigation / Diagnosis

  • Clinical signs may be suggestive.
  • Diagnosis must be confirmed by pathological findings (septicaemic lesions or necrotising enteritis).
  • Special culture techniques must be used to culture the organism from samples of faeces, feed, water supplies, tissues etc.
  • (B101)
Birds
  • The pattern of an epidemic in wild birds may be suggestive.
  • Clinical signs, post mortem examination findings.
  • Isolation of Salmonella spp. from faecal material, blood or affected organs.
  • N.B. Salmonella spp. may also be carried asymptomatically.

(B48.7.w7, D48)

Mammals
  • Enteric salmonellosis: direct plating of faecal samples/intestinal scrapings onto selective and differential media (e.g. MacConkey, brilliant green, salmonella-shigella, xylose-lysine, deoxycholate, Hektoen, bismuth sulphite) (B47)
WATERFOWL
  • Clinical signs, post mortem lesions, serology. 
  • Culture from faeces or from organs at post mortem examination, and identification of Salmonella spp.  
    • Sterile swab of fresh faeces or gut contents; place swab into nutrient broth or transport medium if delay prior to culture. 
    • Selective enrichment media should be used for detection of Salmonella spp. in faeces of apparently healthy carriers.

(B10.26.w10, B11.39.w7, B14, B16.19.w1, B37.x.w1, B48.7.w7,)

HEDGEHOGS

  • Diagnosis requires laboratory culture. (B16.13.w13)
  • Submission of whole carcass for post mortem examination and bacteriology.(J15.21.w1)
    • May not be cultured successfully if only swabs or tissues are posted to a laboratory for culture.(J15.21.w1)
ELEPHANTS
  • Consider salmonella infection in elephants with diarrhoea, also in any elephants with vague or acute life-threatening signs. (V.w72)
  • Tentative diagnosis can be based on clinical signs, haematological and serum chemistry findings such as leucopaenia, neutropaenia, hyperfibrinogenaemia and decreased in the total protein. (J4.185.w1, P30.1.w5, D301.3.w3)
  • In a case of atypical salmonellosis, haematology revealed a severe anaemia (PCV of 9.5%) and neutrophilia with a regenerative left shift. Serum chemistry was within the normal limits, despite severe liver necrosis that was detected post mortem. (P1.1985.w3) 
  • Culture from faeces or from organs at post mortem examination, and identification of Salmonella spp. (B10.49.w21, J3.65.w1, J4.185.w1, J35.132.w1, J25.4.w1, D301.3.w3)
  • Salmonellae can be difficult to detect by culture methods (including enrichment techniques). A preliminary study on PCR in faecal samples from elephants showed that a symptomatic Salmonella shedding can be detected using this diagnostic test. However, the prevalence of asymptomatic infection and shedding in elephants was found to be difficult to determine. (P501.1.w1)
  • The use of a DNA-probe for diagnosis of salmonellosis may be useful in the future to detect asymptomatic carriers. (B336.53.w53) 
Related Techniques
WaterfowlINDEXDisInvTrCntr.gif (2325 bytes)

Return to top of  page

Similar Diseases (Differential Diagnosis)

WATERFOWL Colibacillosis (Colibacillosis), other enteric pathogens such as Chlamydia (Chlamydiosis / Psittacosis), Pasteurella spp. (Avian Cholera), Pseudomonas spp (Pseudomonas Infection), other acute septicaemias (B14, B37.x.w1).
HEDGEHOGS Colibacillosis (Colibacillosis) also causes diarrhoea in juveniles. (B284.6.w6)
ELEPHANTS

Return to top of page

Treatment and Control

Specific Medical Treatment

  • Broad-spectrum antibiotics parenterally to treat septicaemia;

     (B101)

  • Antibiotics should be chosen according to culture and sensitivity (B10.26.w10, B11.39.w7, B11.40.w8, B37.x.w1, B47).
  • Antibiotics may be effective against clinical disease but may not prevent animals from becoming carriers (B13.46.w1, B101).

N.B. Fluid therapy may also be required and is often essential to correct fluid deficit and acid-base imbalances - see below: General Nursing and Surgical Techniques

WATERFOWL

HEDGEHOGS

  • Antibiotics, preferably chosen based on bacterial culture and sensitivity testing. (J34.24.w1, D107)
  • Enrofloxacin (Baytril, Bayer) 10mg/kg oral, intramuscularly, subcutaneously or intraperitoneally, twice daily; amoxycillin/clavulanic acid (Synulox, Pfizer) 30-50mg/kg orally, intramuscularly or subcutaneously, twice daily; or spectinomycin. (J15.21.w1)
  • Chloramphenicol, oral administration. (B16.13.w13)
  • Antimicrobial tests on isolates from hedgehogs in Germany found that for Salmonella enteritidis suitable antibiotics were chloramphenicol, neomycin and streptomycin while for Salmonella typhimurium ampicillin was the most effective. 5.3% of Salmonella enteritidis and 4.9% of Salmonella typhimurium isolates were gentamicin-resistant. (J138.66.w1)
  • Chloramphenicol, 20 mg per 100 g bodyweight (0.1 mL of 200 mg/mL solution per 100g bodyweight) subcutaneously for 5-7 days; neomycin 0.1 mL of 20 mg/ml solution per 100g bodyweight orally;