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1 October 2008 Salmonella from Gopher Tortoises (Gopherus polyphemus) in South Georgia
J. Mitchell Lockhart, Gregory Lee, Jenifer Turco, Linda Chamberlin
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Abstract

From 2002 to 2006, gopher tortoises (Gopherus polyphemus) were collected at Moody Air Force Base, Lowndes/Lanier counties, Georgia, USA, and opportunistically surveyed for the presence of Salmonella species. Four of 155 (2.6%) cloacal swabs collected from 80 tortoises were positive for the presence of Salmonella enterica, and the following serovars were identified: Give, Hartford, Javiana, and Luciana. Female tortoises (5%) were infected at a rate similar to male tortoises (5%). All isolates were obtained from adult tortoises (n=73); subadults (n=7) were all negative. Each isolated serovar is a potential human pathogen, suggesting appropriate precautions should be emphasized when handling these animals.

Lockhart, Lee, Turco, and Chamberlin: Salmonella from Gopher Tortoises (Gopherus polyphemus) in South Georgia
J. Mitchell Lockhart, Gregory Lee, Jenifer Turco, and Linda Chamberlin "Salmonella from Gopher Tortoises (Gopherus polyphemus) in South Georgia," Journal of Wildlife Diseases 44(4), 988-991, (1 October 2008). https://doi.org/10.7589/0090-3558-44.4.988
Received: 17 May 2007; Published: 1 October 2008
KEYWORDS
gopher tortoise
Gopherus polyphemus
Salmonella
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