Zoonotic bacteria in invasive California Kingsnake Lampropeltis californiae from Gran Canaria, Canary Islands, Spain
Román Pino-Vera, Néstor Abreu-Acosta, Pilar Foronda

TL;DR
Invasive California kingsnakes in the Canary Islands carry harmful bacteria that pose a health risk to humans and animals.
Contribution
This study identifies high prevalence of zoonotic bacteria in invasive California kingsnakes in Gran Canaria.
Findings
98% of California kingsnakes tested positive for at least one zoonotic bacteria.
Salmonella spp. and Yersinia enterocolitica were most commonly detected.
The presence of these bacteria poses a health threat to pet owners and the environment.
Abstract
Invasive species can spread pathogens to newly colonised areas and indirectly affect animals and humans. In the Canary Islands territory (Spain), the California kingsnake (Lampropeltis californiae) is one of the most relevant invasive species because its predatory habits, however, there is scarce information about the microorganisms they carry and the risk to human health, for that reason, and considering previous data on the pathogens harboured by exotic reptiles in the archipelago, the aim of this study was to analyse the presence of pathogenic bacteria in these animals. Fifty L. californiae specimens from Gran Canaria Island (Canary Islands, Spain) were examined for zoonotic bacteria. For that purpose, faecal samples were obtained during the necropsy of the animals and inoculated in different selective agar media. If bacterial growth was observed, bacterial colonies were subjected…
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Taxonomy
TopicsAmphibian and Reptile Biology · Leech Biology and Applications · Study of Mite Species
