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Tierarztl Prax Ausg K Kleintiere Heimtiere 2019; 47(04): 247-256
DOI: 10.1055/a-0959-5528
Original Article
© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

The use of a salmonella bacteriophage in bearded dragons: application, passage time and reisolation

Einsatz von Salmonella-Phagen bei Bartagamen: Applikation, Passagezeit und Reisolation
Kevin Renfert
1   Clinic for Birds and Reptiles, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
,
Wolfgang Rabsch
2   National Reference Centre for salmonella and other bacterial enterics, Robert Koch Institute, Wernigerode, Germany
,
Angelika Fruth
2   National Reference Centre for salmonella and other bacterial enterics, Robert Koch Institute, Wernigerode, Germany
,
Stephanie Speck
3   Institute of Animal Hygiene and Veterinary Public Health, University of Leipzig, Germany
,
Michael Pees
1   Clinic for Birds and Reptiles, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History

01 November 2018

18 June 2019

Publication Date:
21 August 2019 (online)

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Abstract

Objective This study determined the passage time and phage propagation time of a salmonella specific phage, Felix O1, in bearded dragons, based on reisolation from cloacal swabs and faecal samples following oral administration, as a possible tool for reducing the zoonotic risk of salmonella from pet reptiles. An application scheme for this phage in bearded dragons was developed.

Material and methods Ten healthy bearded dragons (Pogona vitticeps) were used in the study. The pH tolerance of the phage was tested and drugs were used to evaluate their influence on the gastric pH of the reptiles. After pH adjustment, the phage was administered orally for 12 consecutive days. Over 60 days, swabs were taken from the cloaca and examined for the presence of phages using culture and PCR. Furthermore, faecal samples were collected for phage quantification.

Results Felix O1 displayed no activity at pH below 2.8. A calcium- and magnesium carbonate buffer induced an appropriate gastric pH increase for 30 minutes. Phages were reisolated for up to 24 days (mean shedding: 19 days) after last administration. Titres between 105 and 107 plaque forming units/g faeces were detected. The animals did not show any clinical signs related to phage application.

Conclusion and clinical relevance The study provides first results on oral administration, passage time, and reisolation of a phage in reptiles. It could be shown that the phage was able to replicate in the intestine, and was shed for a prolonged period and therefore could potentially contribute to a reduction of salmonella shedding.

Zusammenfassung

Gegenstand und Ziel Die Studie bestimmte die orale Applikationsmöglichkeit, Passagezeit und Ausscheidedauer eines Salmonellen-spezifischen Phagen, Felix O1, in Bartagamen. Ziel war, eine Grundlage zu schaffen, das Potenzial des Phagen zur Reduktion des Risikos einer Salmonellenübertragung auf den Menschen zu prüfen.

Material und Methoden Zehn klinisch gesunde Bartagamen (Pogona vitticeps) wurden verwendet. Die pH-Toleranz des Phagen sowie der Einsatz von Medikamenten zur Beeinflussung des pH-Werts im Magen von Reptilien wurden untersucht. Nach Anpassung des pH-Werts erfolgte eine orale Applikation des Phagen an 12 aufeinanderfolgenden Tagen. Über insgesamt 60 Tage wurden Tupferproben aus der Kloake entnommen und mithilfe von Anzucht und PCR auf das Vorhandensein des Phagen untersucht. Darüber hinaus wurden Kotproben untersucht, um die Phagenausscheidung zu quantifizieren.

Ergebnisse Felix O1 zeigte keinerlei Aktivitäten unterhalb eines pH-Werts von 2,8. Der pH-Wert im Magen ließ sich durch einen Kalzium- und Magnesiumkarbonat-Puffer für 30 Minuten ausreichend anheben. Phagen konnten bis zu 24 Tage lang (mittlere Ausscheidungsdauer 19 Tage) nach der letzten Applikation nachgewiesen werden, wobei die Phagentiter zwischen 105 und 107 plaquebildenden Einheiten pro Gramm Kot lagen. Die Tiere wiesen während des Versuchs keine klinischen Symptome auf, die sich auf den Einsatz des Phagen zurückführen ließen.

Schlussfolgerung und klinische Relevanz Die Studie liefert erste Ergebnisse zur oralen Eingabe, Passagezeit und Reisolation von Phagen in Reptilien. Es konnte gezeigt werden, dass sich Phagen im Darm von Reptilien vermehren und über einen längeren Zeitraum ausgeschieden werden. Damit können Bakteriophagen bei Reptilien prinzipiell eingesetzt werden, um zur Reduktion einer Salmonellenausscheidung beizutragen.

Key words

Reptile - salmonella - phage - PCR

Schlüsselwörter

Reptilien - Salmonellen - Phage - PCR
 

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