What Salmonella serotype is shed from iguanas?

• A. Salmonella Typhimurium
• B. Salmonella Marina
• C. Salmonella Enteritidis
• D. Salmonella Newport

Answer: (B)

Reptiles, including iguanas, commonly carry Salmonella in their gut and shed it into their environment, which is why handling these pets requires careful hygiene. The serotype most typically associated with iguanas is Salmonella marina, making it the best answer. While other serotypes such as Typhimurium, Enteritidis, and Newport are major causes of human illness and appear in various animal reservoirs, they are not the serotypes most characteristically linked to iguanas in standard public health teaching. Understanding this helps explain why contact with iguanas and their cages is a known source of reptile-associated Salmonella infections and underscores the importance of handwashing after handling reptiles and keeping them away from food areas.