# Serological Distribution of Salmonella enterica subsp. Isolated from Feces of Domesticated Crested Gecko (Correlophus ciliates) in Busan Province, South Korea

## TL;DR

This study examines the prevalence and characteristics of bacteria, including Salmonella, in fecal samples from crested geckos in South Korea.

## Contribution

The study identifies new Salmonella serotypes in crested geckos not previously reported in South Korea.

## Key findings

- 33 Salmonella enterica subsp. isolates were identified with 8 different serotypes.
- Five of the identified Salmonella serotypes are novel to South Korean clinical records.
- Most isolates were antibiotic-susceptible, with no evidence of zoonotic transmission to humans.

## Abstract

Geckos are often considered to be reservoirs of zoonotic pathogens. This study was conducted to describe the prevalence and characteristics of pathogens isolated from fecal samples of crested geckos in South Korea. A total of 76 fecal samples were collected from 76 domesticated crested geckos in independent captivity. To determine bacterial profiles, matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS), the disk diffusion method, PCR and direct sequencing, and the Kauffmann–White scheme for serotyping Salmonella species were performed. A total of 107 Gram-negative isolates were identified as belonging to 50 Citrobacter species, 33 Salmonella enterica subsp., 8 Serratia marcescens, 8 Klebsiella species, 3 Morganella morganii, 2 Enterobacter cloacae, 2 Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and 1 Acinetobacter species. Most of the isolates were susceptible to antibiotics tested in this study. The chloramphenicol acetyltransferase (cat) gene was detected in one M. morganii isolate, and the class C beta-lactamase (AZECL-14) gene was detected in one E. cloacae. The most prevalent somatic (O) antigens of the groups were C (n = 23) and D (n = 7), and 8 different serotypes were identified among the 33 Salmonella enterica subsp. isolates. Five of eight Salmonella serotypes have not been previously reported among clinical isolates in South Korea. Our results reveal that enteric bacteria have not been shared between crested geckos and humans, at least in South Korea.