The occurrence of Salmonellae in house shrews and rats in Ipoh, Malaysia.

ABSTRACT

House shrews (Suncus murinus) and rats (Rattus rattus diardii), trapped during a survey period from July 1978 to December 1979 and thereafter on a random basis, from residences within and outside the Veterinary Research Institute, Ipoh, Malaysia campus, were bacteriologically examined for the presence of salmonellae. Of the 55 shrews and 8 rats examined, 39 (71%) shrews and 2 (25%) rats were found positive. There were 46 Salmonella isolates which included 5 dual infections. These were serotyped as S. weltevreden, S. bareilly, S. stanley, S. augustenborg, S. hvittingfoss, S. emek, S. paratyphi B, S. ohio and S. matopeni in order of frequency of isolation. The significance of these findings especially with regard to salmonellosis in man and animals is discussed.