A STUDY ON THE GREEN FROG (RANA-HEXADACTYLA) IN RELATION TO THE ENVIRONMENTAL DISSEMINATION OF ENTERIC HUMAN PATHOGENS

Green frogs (Rana hexadactyla) from local ponds of Madras were screene d either for the presence of enteric pathogens in their systems or for their antibodies. Human enteropathogens such as Salmonella, Shigella and Vibrio species were isolated from their intestines. Moreover 34.6% of frogs revealed the presence of Leptospira Like spirochaetes in the bile. Presence of antibody to Salmonella species and to Leptospira se rovars was also observed in some frogs. It is suggested that the habit at and migration of frogs might facilitate the transfer of potential h uman pathogens from one water reservoir to another and thereby dissemi nate,human pathogens.