RESUMO
Twenty-three snakes of nine different species were investigated. Of these, 21 were carriers of a total of 22 different Salmonella serovars (subspecies I 14 types, subspecies IIIb 6 types, subspecies IV 2 types). A triphasic variant of S. IIIb 48:i:z:Rz72 was identified for the first time. Numerous serovars of subspecies I strains have previously been demonstrated in humans and animals in large areas of South America. It is concluded that these snakes may constitute a potential reservoir for human infections. Biochemically variant strains occurred as a lactose-positive variant of S. michigan, an indole-positive isolate of S. IIIb 61:r:z53 as well as a dulcitol-positive strain of S. IIIb 48:i:z:Rz72. The method of preparation of the specific diagnostic Rz72 factor serum for determination of this antigen is described.