No plasmids were detected in these isolates. The isolate from the cage of the iguana associated with case 1 was not available for testing. The two cases reported here highlight the potential for salmonellosis to occur among persons exposed to pet iguanas. Infants are highly susceptible to Salmonella from any source. As with pet turtles, direct contact between the reptile and the infant does not seem to be necessary for transmission to occur.
Iguanas are members of the lizard family and are native to tropical areas in the Western Hemisphere.
Because iguanas from different countries are often shipped together in a single lot, and iguanas are not tagged during the shipping process, trace-backs are not possible. Colonization with Salmonella may occur in the country of origin or following contact with other iguanas during shipping. Salmonella surveillance report 1989. US Department of Health and Human Services, Public Health Service, 1990. Lizards as vectors of human salmonellosis.