The goal of this project is to gain further insight into the prevalence of Salmonellainfected animals. It will be done by collecting and disseminating information on theprevalence of Salmonella in fecal samples from both symptomatic and asymptomaticanimals brought to veterinary clinics. While pets can become visibly ill due toSalmonella infection, some pets may not exhibit symptoms of salmonellosis but can stillbe carriers and can infect other animals or humans. Therefore, this project will do thefollowing: Illuminate the under-reported cases of pet salmonellosis Provide in depth information about the occurrence of Salmonella in pets and the role pets play in spreading this bacterium to humans Provide critical data for developing effective education methods and materials for preventing pet-associated salmonellosis Help prevent further emergence of highly resistant strains of SalmonellaAt least 100 symptomatic and 100 asymptomatic samples will be tested. Fecal sampleswill be collected from pets brought in to the South Dakota State University (SDSU)Animal Disease Research Diagnostic Lab (ADRDL). Additionally, the SDSU ExtensionVeterinarian, who also serves as South Dakota's state public health veterinarian, will becollaborating with veterinarians and clinics throughout the state and the neighboringstates to submit samples for the study. Veterinary clinics with significant companionanimal caseload will be recruited for the study. Participating clinics will receivestandardized instructions for sample collection and submission, client consent forms,specimen collection vials, and mailing materials. This project will be carried out withefficient laboratory methods for isolation, identification and typing of Salmonella. Todiminish the risk of obtaining false negative results, a non-selective pre-enrichment offecal sample, a combination of two selective enrichments, and plating on two selectivemedia will be performed. Subsequently Salmonella isolates will be confirmed withbiochemical tests. Also serological identification tests for Salmonella will be performed.Finally, for serotyping and classification on subspecies level, the isolates will beforwarded to NVSL (National Veterinary Service laboratory). All isolates and results willbe shared with VetLRN.
RELEVANCE: Because pets are likely to share similar sources of Salmonella, and because some pets are carriers but do not show symptoms of the disease (salmonellosis), the bacterium can spread extensively before ever being detected. Given the close relationship that most owners have with their pets and the increased potential for transference from pet to human, this study is essential to illuminating the under-reported cases of pet salmonellosis and identifying the role that pets play in spreading this bacterium to humans. The information generated by the samples cultured during this study is crucial for developing evidence-based guidelines for safe pet ownership and protecting the public through responsible pet management.
