It was first reported in the United Kingdom (UK) in 1984. During the 1990's it has been an increasing cause of infections in humans and animals. Becoming an international problem, its isolates are being found in both food and nonfood animals (pets).
A wide range of potential reservoirs exists. All types of pets are susceptible and include both turtles and iguanas. In 1990, 7% of the ST isolates tested at the Communicable Disease Centers were DT 104. By 1996, 32 percent were DT 104. And, in an April 1997 publication, health statistics indicated tht in 1995 ST was the second most commonly reported Salmonella serotype.
Clinical signs in humans with the DT 104 strain may include diarrhea, fever, headache, nausea and vomiting. Septicemia may develop in a small percentage of the cases resulting in spread to the meninges, bones or joints. In the UK, 41 % of the victims were hospitalized with a 3% mortality rate.
The strain DT104 is resistant to ampicillin, chloramphenical, streptomycin, tetracyclines and some sulfa drugs. In the UK, drugs used in humans are beginning to lose their efficacy. Following the introduction of enrofloxacin, used to treat infections in reptiles since the late 1980's, the resistance to flouroquinolones in humans has been observed. This is just one of the many adverse side effects of randomly treating a reptile on your own without proper diagnostics, such as a culture and sensitivity.
With fewer effective drugs available to treat this illness, it is essential that all reptile owners practice stringent sanitation. Cleaning cages with gloves and never allowing human and reptile equipment to be cleaned in the same area.
DT 104 is a relatively new threat that will require an increasing surveillance and professional investigation to find the vehicles and risks of infection, which may require years of research.
