Human salmonellosis transmitted by a domestic turtle.

Salmonella typhimurium was isolated in the culture test of a small child admitted to hospital suffering from febrile gastroenteritis with stools containing traces of mucus and blood. Her mother also resulted positive for this microorganism. The family had recently bought a small turtle, imported from Florida, at the city fair. Further tests revealed Salmonella typhimurium in both the turtle's feces and the water in its tank.