Introduction

Salmonella is a genus of gram-negative bacteria of the Enterobacteriaceae family. Salmonella enterica is the type species and is further divided into different subspecies including enteritidis.

Objectives

Several aims were purposed including collection information about presence of salmonellosis between street cats especially serotype information and introduction active and passive surveillance regarding public health too.

Methods

Samples obtained from 100 stray cats that were referred to small animal clinics by SPCA members from different parts of Tehran city. Routine culture and serotyping tests were done for evaluating of genius and serovars of bacteria. Samples were cultured in 37°C for 24 hours in selective media (Rambach medium). After the colonies appeared, they cultured in TSI. Results recorded after 24 hours. Positive (one case) and suspected cases (24 cases) evaluated by molecular methods (PCR and M-PCR) later.

Results

Only one sample showed Salmonella spp. in culture media that was from a 2-month kitten with hemorrhagic enteritis and severe dehydration. We found another case of Salmonella enteritidis from a female one-year-old cat without any clinical signs by PCR. Serotyping tests showed both cases belong to group D of Salmonella prevalence of anti-Leptospira spp. antibodies was lower in indoor pet cats than in pet cats with outdoor access (p<0.001).

Conclusions

Although Salmonella enteritidis is an important factor in human gastroenteritis and recorded from poultry farms and products, it is supposed to detecting this kind of Salmonella may be created after exposing to related resources such as hunting birds or feeding street cats by contaminated materials or foods.