Salmonella bongori
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Salmonella bongori | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification  | |
| Domain: | Bacteria |
| Kingdom: | Pseudomonadati |
| Phylum: | Pseudomonadota |
| Class: | Gammaproteobacteria |
| Order: | Enterobacterales |
| Family: | Enterobacteriaceae |
| Genus: | Salmonella |
| Species: | S. bongori |
| Binomial name | |
| Salmonella bongori (Le Minor et al. 1985) Reeves et al. 1989 | |
Salmonella bongori is a pathogenic bacterium belonging to the genus Salmonella, and was earlier known as Salmonella subspecies V or S. enterica subsp. bongori or S. choleraesuis subsp. bongori. It is a gram-negative, rod-shaped bacterium (bacillus), which causes a gastrointestinal disease called salmonellosis, characterized by cramping and diarrhoea. It is typically considered a microbe of cold-blooded animals, unlike other members of the genus, and is most frequently associated with reptiles.[1]
It was discovered in 1966 from a lizard in the city of Bongor, Chad, from which the specific name bongori was derived.[2] After decades of controversy in Salmonella nomenclature, it gained the species status in 2005.[3]
S. bongori is classically regarded as the Salmonella of lizards. However, discrete investigations contradict the notion of strict host-specificity, as reports emerged of occurrence in dogs and birds.[4][5] In animals, unlike those of other Salmonella, infection is generally asymptomatic and does not cause discernible effects. However, infection of pet animals is associated with diarrhea.[5]
Further, human infections have been substantiated, with conclusive reports from Italy. The majority of these cases are among children less than 3 years old, who are more prone to oral contact with animal droppings. Symptoms are typified by diarrhoea with fever and acute enteritis.[6] The first observations, from Messina and Palermo, starting from late 1984, were followed by other cities in Sicily.[5][7]
