Identificación, serotipificación y determinación del perfil de sensibilidad de Salmonella enterica aisladas de cloacas de tortugas de orejas rojas (Trachemys sp) en cautiverio, Perú

The aim of this study was to identify, serotype and determine the sensitivity profile of Salmonella enterica strains isolated from red-eared slider turtles (Trachemys sp) from two breeding centres in Lima, Peru, through cloacal swabs. The samples were isolated using tetrathionate enrichment broth, specific media such as Salmonella-Shigella agar and xylose lysine deoxycholate agar. The identification was made through biochemical tests. Serotyping through the recognition of somatic (O) and flagellar (H) antigens of the Kauffmann-White system, and the determination of sensitivity using the Kirby Bauer diffusion disk test. The results showed that 6.1% (4/66) of Salmonella enterica isolates were obtained, identifying the serotypes Salmonella Saintpaul and Salmonella Infantis. Antibacterial sensitivity tests indicated differences between strains, showing 100% sensitivity against nalidixic acid, norfloxacin and enrofloxacin and less for streptomycin, sulfamethoxazole + trimethoprim, chloramphenicol and amoxicillin + clavulanic acid. The results show the potential risk to public health involved in raising these turtles as potential pets.