Reptiles are considered a reservoir of a variety of Salmonella (S.) serovars. Nevertheless, due to a lack of large-scale research, the importance of Reptilia as a Salmonella vector still remains not completely recognized. A total of 731 samples collected from reptiles and their environment were tested. The aim of the study was to assess the prevalence of Salmonella in exotic reptiles kept in Poland and to confirm Salmonella contamination of the environment after reptile exhibitions. The study included Salmonella isolation and identification, followed by epidemiological analysis of the antimicrobial resistance of the isolates. Implementation of a pathway additional to the standard Salmonella isolation protocol led to a 21% increase in the Salmonella serovars detection rate. The study showed a high occurrence of Salmonella, being the highest at 92.2% in snakes, followed by lizards (83.7%) and turtles (60.0%). The pathogen was also found in 81.2% of swabs taken from table and floor surfaces after reptile exhibitions and in two out of three egg samples. A total of 918 Salmonella strains belonging to 207 serovars and serological variants were obtained. We have noted the serovars considered important with respect to public health, i.e., S. Enteritidis, S. Typhimurium, and S. Kentucky. The study proves that exotic reptiles in Poland are a relevant reservoir of Salmonella.

Enterococci as opportunistic bacteria are important for human health. Due to the prevalence and ease of acquisition and transfer of their genes, they are an excellent indicator of environmental contamination and the spread of antimicrobial resistance. The aim of the study was to assess the prevalence of Enterococcus spp. in wild birds in Poland, determination of antimicrobial susceptibility and WGS analysis of Enterococcus (E.) faecium and E. faecalis. For this purpose, 138 samples from various species of free-living birds were tested, with 66.7% positive results. Fourteen species were detected, with E. faecalis being the most common, followed by E. casseliflavus and E. hirae. In antimicrobial susceptibility testing, 10.0% of E. faecalis and 50.0% of E. faecium showed resistance to one antimicrobial agent, in addition the MDR phenotype which was found in one E. faecium. The most common resistance phenotype included tetracycline and quinupristin/dalfopristin. The WGS analysis confirmed the significant advantage of the virulence gene diversity of E. faecalis strains over E. faecium. In addition, plasmid replicons were found in 42.0% of E. faecalis and 80.0% of E. faecium. The obtained results confirm free-living birds can be a reservoir of Enterococcus spp. with a considerable zoonotic potential.

Bordetella trematum is a rare member of the genus Bordetella, primarily associated with human wound infections rather than respiratory diseases. The bacterium has been isolated from various clinical specimens, including ear inflammatory discharge, diabetic ulcers, and chronic wounds. The study aimed to characterize the genomes and antimicrobial resistance (AMR) profiles of B. trematum obtained from the fecal samples of asymptomatic highland eyelash pit vipers (Bothriechis schlegelii). The identification was conducted using MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry and biochemical tests. AMR was assessed using the microbroth dilution method, while whole-genome sequencing was performed on the Illumina NextSeq platform. The isolates displayed characteristic B. trematum biochemical features and demonstrated a resistance to cefotaxime, ciprofloxacin, and trimethoprim, while one also exhibited a resistance to ceftazidime. The whole-genome sequencing and comparison with limited public data revealed a high diversity within B. trematum, reaching >48,000 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), with 64 SNP differentiating tested snake isolates and thus, being considered epidemiologically unrelated. This is the first report of B. trematum isolated from an animal source in Europe. The findings provide valuable insights into this rare bacterium’s phenotypic and genomic characteristics, addressing an important knowledge gap in its ecology and AMR profile.