ISOLATION AND IDENTIFICATION OF SALMONELLA SPECIES FROM CHELONIANS USING COMBINED SELECTIVE MEDIA, SEROTYPING AND RIBOTYPING

Thirty-two faecal samples from various pet chelonians were bacteriolog ically examined using various combinations of selective media for Salm onella detection. Strains identified as Salmonella were clustered by r RNA gene restriction pattern (ribotyping) analysis prior to serologica l typing. The combination of selenite broth and Rambach or Salmonella- Shigella agars gave the maximum rate of Salmonella recovery. Of the 32 samples examined, 13 (40%), were positive for Salmonella. Five serova rs were identified, Muenchen, Rubislaw, Newport, Ferruch and a non-mot ile O:4,5,12, with Salmonella Muenchen the most common. This result in dicates that biochemical characterization combined with ribotyping pri or to serotyping can contribute to Salmonella detection on a large sca le.