Reptile-Associated Salmonellosis in Preschool-Aged Children in Michigan, January 2001-June 2003.
Wells, Eden V. 1; Boulton, Matthew 1,2; Hall, William 2; Bidol, Sally A. 2
[Article] Clinical Infectious Diseases. 39(5):687-691, September 1, 2004.

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Objectives. Determine the incidence of reptile-associated salmonellosis in preschool-aged children in Michigan.

Methods. Cases of reptile-associated salmonellosis in children <=5 years of age occurring in Michigan January 2001-June 2003 were identified through review of individual patient case-history forms provided by local health departments to the Michigan Department of Community Health and by identification of Michigan Department of Community Health laboratory-confirmed cultures of reptile-associated serotypes, determined by evaluation of the Public Health Laboratory Information System's Clinical Nonhuman Salmonella data for 1990-3001.

Results. The incidence of reptile-associated salmonellosis was 11.8% of all Salmonella cases reported in Michigan children aged <=5 years for the period January 2001 through June 2003.

Conclusions. Despite the recommendations of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to avoid the exposure of children <5 years old to reptiles, reptile-associated salmonellosis in preschool-aged children continues to be a public health problem in Michigan.

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