Bacterial Detection and Anatomical Descriptions of the DigestiveSystem of the Iraqi Gecko (Hemidactylus turcicus) in BaghdadProvince

Abstract

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.