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Zoonotic Pathogens of Reptiles: An Unregarded Slithery Matter

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Zoonoses: Infections Affecting Humans and Animals

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Abstract

Increased urbanization and introduction of exotic species of reptiles may act as drivers for the transmission of zoonotic pathogens through the environment. Reptiles are reservoirs of a wide range of pathogens, including viruses, bacteria, protozoa, helminths, pentastomids, and arthropod parasitic species, some of which may represent a public health concern. Reptiles can also be a source of life-threatening parasitoses through uncooked or raw meat ingestion. The main zoonotic disease associated to reptiles is salmonellosis, yet other less regarded diseases are equally devastating, such as spotted fever, sparganosis, or pentastomiasis.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Bari “Aldo Moro”, Bari, Italy

    Jairo Alfonso Mendoza Roldan, Marialaura Corrente & Domenico Otranto

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  1. Jairo Alfonso Mendoza Roldan
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  2. Marialaura Corrente
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  3. Domenico Otranto
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Correspondence to Domenico Otranto .

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  1. Dept. of Infectiology, Bavarian Health and Food Safety Authority, Oberschleißheim, Bayern, Germany

    Andreas Sing

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Roldan, J.A.M., Corrente, M., Otranto, D. (2023). Zoonotic Pathogens of Reptiles: An Unregarded Slithery Matter. In: Sing, A. (eds) Zoonoses: Infections Affecting Humans and Animals. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-85877-3_56-1

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