Salmonelliasis in wildlife from Queensland

During a 20 yr period (1978 to 1998), 233 isolates of Salmonella spp. were cultured from 179 wildlife animals (representing 25 species), 32 crocodile (Crocodylus porosus) eggs and six crocodile nesting sites, and represented 59 different serotypes. Salmonella serotype Virchow, the major serotype inf ecting humans in north Queensland, (Australia) was common in macropodids, b ut was not found in reptiles and was isolated only once from calls toads (B ufo marinus). Investigations of human cases of salmonellosis should include simultaneous studies on wild and domestic animals in contact with the case .