Bacterial detection and anatomical descriptions of the digestive system of the Iraqi gecko (Hemidactylus turcicus)‎ in Baghdad province

Abstract EN

This study was carried on 64 Geckos of different sizes collected from five locations at Baghdad province over a period from July 2002 up to February 2003.

Bacteriological examination of 84 swabs taken from the digestive tract of these animals revealed that 81 swabs (96.

4 %) were positive for bacterial isolates.

The most predominant bacteria were Salmonella spp.

(50 %) followed by E.coli (26.

2 %) and Klesiella spp.

(14.

3 %), which were isolated mostly from the small intestine and feces.

The highest frequency of Salmonella infection was observed in Geckos collected from Al-Mahmodeia and Al-Amereia (100 %), (83 %) respectively, where as the lowest frequency (26.

6 %) was found in Geckos collected from Baghdad Al-Jadida.

Geckos of large size were more frequently infected in comparison with the smaller size.

However the study of the anatomy of the digestive system showed that Geckos have a wide triangular mouth with pointed teeth, the stomach was small and the duodenum was large, the liver had a gall bladder and the pancreas opens in to the duodenum by many ducts.

The study indicated that the large size of the duodenum plays an important role in bacterial growth and multiplication.

Therefore it could be concluded that Geckos considered to be a source and reservoir for harmful pathogens that could be transmitted to human beings.