DIAGNOSIS OF SALMONELLOSIS IN REPTILES

Abstract

Salmonellosis in reptiles constitutes an important public health issue, as it is a zoonosis, and these animals act as natural carriers of Salmonella spp., often asymptomatically. In this context, diagnosis becomes a challenge for both wildlife clinics and humans. The prevalence of the bacteria varies according to environmental and management factors, with wild reptiles being important ecological indicators. This study aimed to analyze the main diagnostic methods employed and the related challenges in the detection of Salmonella spp. in reptiles. This is a narrative literature review, based on the analysis of recent publications (2021–2026) selected from the PubMed and Google Scholar databases. The findings demonstrate that conventional diagnosis is based on the microbiological culture of fecal and cloacal samples; however, its sensitivity is reduced due to the intermittent excretion of the pathogen. Molecular techniques, such as polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and whole genome sequencing (WGS), stand out for their high precision, allowing the identification of serovars, analysis of virulence factors, and epidemiological tracking. Furthermore, the increasing detection of antimicrobial resistance reinforces the need for continuous monitoring. It is concluded that the effective diagnosis of salmonellosis in reptiles depends on the integration of traditional and molecular methods, as well as serial sampling, which is essential for the prevention of zoonotic risks and the promotion of public health.