First report of Salmonella Pomona infection in a young child associated with pet turtle exposure in Shanghai

ObjectiveTo confirm the source of infection of a young child with diarrhea and fever by analyzing the pathogen isolated from samples of the child and pet turtle in his home.

MethodsClinical information collection and epidemiological investigation were conducted based on informed consent. Samples from the patient and pet turtle (cloacal swab and body-surface swab), turtle tank water and other samples were collected for pathogen isolation and detection. Serotype identification, antimicrobial susceptibility and molecular typing were conducted for Salmonella isolates.

ResultsSalmonella Pomona was isolated from the patient’s stool sample, pet turtle’s cloacal swab and body-surface swab and turtle tank water. All the isolates shared the same antibiotic resistant pattern (tetracyclines) and molecular subtyping pattern. Epidemiological and microbiological investigations suggested that pet turtle was the source of infection.

ConclusionIt is the first report of S. Pomona infection in a young child associated with pet turtle exposure in Shanghai. Certain Salmonella serotype has dominant colonization in pet turtles. Young children are at high risk to behavioral and ecological infectious diseases. It is necessary to strengthen the prevention of the contamination of pathogen in pet turtle raising, improve case traceability and conduct public health education.