Infectious diseases in reptiles with special references to zoonoses - an overview for practice

In this paper the most important bacterial, fungal infections of reptiles a re presented. Bacterial diseases are caused by different germs which can be isolated also from healthy reptiles. Multiplication of bacteria and severe infection is supported by stress factors such as inadequate temperature, i nadequate humidity, overcrowding and insufficient hygiene management. Some bacteria can be isolated more frequently than others from diseased reptiles . Infections of skin, mucosa, respiratory tract, gastrointestinal tract and other organ systems are described. Diagnosis and treatment of bacterial in fections are discussed. The correction of environmental factors is essentia l before medical therapy is performed. Specific antibiotics for each case s hould be elected and treatment should be carried out thoroughly. Symptoms a nd treatment of skin mycoses are presented. Deep mycoses may not be recogni zed in the live animal, often they will be revealed at necropsy only. Sever al possible zoonotic germs have been isolated from reptiles up to now. Salm onellosis is considered to be the most important zoonotic infection of rept iles. Isolation of Salmonella from healthy reptiles indicates that they are part of the normal intestinal microflora. The consequences for keeping and handling reptiles are shown. The possibility of transferring those agents to humans is discussed.