Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Veterinary surgeons as vectors of Salmonella dublin.
- Journal:
- British medical journal
- Year:
- 1980
- Authors:
- Williams, E
Plain-English summary
Salmonella dublin is a type of bacteria that can make cows very sick, causing issues like severe diarrhea, miscarriages, and even death. In a study in south-west Wales, four veterinary surgeons developed a skin condition linked to this bacteria after not wearing gloves while handling cows. One of these surgeons got the infection again three years later. Healthy-looking cows can carry this bacteria without showing any signs, which means that when illness appears in a herd, it’s often thought to come from within rather than from outside sources. This suggests that veterinarians can unknowingly spread Salmonella dublin, highlighting the importance of proper protective measures.
Abstract
Salmonella dublin is an important bovine pathogen, causing dysentery, abortion, and death from septicaemia. S dublin dermatitis, a little-recognised occupational hazard for veterinary surgeons, does not cause serious disability or inconvenience. During a survey of brucellosis in south-west Wales four cases of S dublin dermatitis were seen in veterinary surgeons. One surgeon was reinfected three years later. On all five occasions the veterinary surgeons had not worn or had discarded polyethylene gloves. An apparently healthy cow may serve as a latent carrier of S dublin. Thus when disease starts in a closed, protected herd reactivation of infection within the herd is usually blamed and its introduction by extraneous agents considered to be unlikely. Veterinary surgeons should be regarded as potential vectors of S dublin.
Find similar cases for your pet
PetCaseFinder finds other peer-reviewed reports of pets with the same symptoms, plus a plain-English summary of what was tried across them.
Search related cases →Original publication: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/7370679/