Salmonella tel-el-kebir and terrapins

Objectives: an outbreak of Salmonella tel-el-kebir occurring over a 6-month period is described in this report. This is the first outbreak of S. tel-e l-Kebir in the reported literature. Methods: S. tel-el-kebir was isolated from human faecal samples using conve ntional laboratory methods. Results: eight patients had S. tel-el-kebir isolated from faeces, All patie nts were owners of, or in close contact with, pet terrapins. The terrapins were purchased in the same pet shop, where they were imported from America. The epidemiological link with these pets was confirmed, as S. tel-el-kebir was isolated from cloacal swabs from the terrapins, and from terrapin wate r. Molecular biology studies using DNA amplification fingerprinting (DAF) g ave identical fingerprint patterns for all human and terrapin isolates. Conclusions: Salmonellosis associated with exotic pets is a re-emerging dis ease in the 1990s, and measures to reduce this are discussed.