Salmonellas from the cane toad, Bufo marinus

Abstract

Free-ranging B. marinus from various locations in Queensland, New South Wales and Northern Territory were killed and samples of their large intestinal contents cultured for salmonella. Nine species of Salmonella namely S. aberdeen (2 isolates), S. anatum (3), S. chester (1), S. enteritidis (1), S. hvittingfoss (1), S. lansing (1), S. mgulani (8), S. oronianburg (1) and S. virchow (3) were isolated from 19 (12.7%) of the 150 toads. Two toads each yielded 2 species, S. chester and S. mgulani in one and S. mgulani and S. oranianburg in the other. It is suggested that the cane toad has the potential to be a significant vector of salmonellas, as it progressively extends its range.