Humans can come in contact with this, either directly from the reptile and its bites or scratches, or from the water source. This organism is fairly common in the oral cavities of reptiles and can be transmitted through contamination of wounds. Several species can cause disease in humans. This is usually a cutaneous or subcutaneous nodular disease. It can come from chronically infected reptiles and may involve any organ, system or area of anatomy.
Transmission is thought to occur by direct contact, tick bite or inhalation.
Severe clinical signs of cramps, nausea, diarrhea, vomiting and fever are reported with some individuals requiring hospitalization. Young, elderly or immunocompromised individuals may have more serious complications. This organism can become established on endocardial surfaces of the heart valves from previous septicemic episodes which can lead to infective thromboemboli. They, in turn, cana break loose and end up in other places in the body, appearing as abscesses in organs, joints or skin. It is important to consider this organism whenever confronted by an infective-appearing disease in reptiles handled.