Pro-biotic use as a means to avoid salmonella (zoonoses) transfer to humans.

Pro biotic use in Corn snakes in the reduction of the potential of zoonoses tramnsmission to humans

A zoonosis is a disease that humans may acquire from animals.

The bond between humans and animals has been recognized for many years, and pet ownership has been associated with both emotional and health benefits .
However, pet ownership may also pose health risks through the zoonotic transmission of infectious diseases, especially those in high risk groups.
The immunocompromised, pregnant women and young infants are in the high-risk category for zoonoses infection/ transmission.

For every cute, cuddly (non-human) creature out there, there is something horrible that one can potentially catch from it.
Ahh, The micro biologic, invisible world of critter keeping.

These diseases could be theoretically, potentially be acquired from a Snake although most are "highly unlikely".

* Salmonellosis
* Aeromonas hydrophila
* Edwardsiella tarda
* Escherichia coli
* Mesocestoidiasis
* Morganella morganii
* Mycobacterium ulcerans
* Ophionyssus natricis infestation
* Pentastosomiasis
* Proteus vulgaris
* Providencia spp.
* Q fever
* Sparganosis

What were discussing here is Reptile-Related Salmonellosis.

Salmonella ,sallmonellosis, is the most common and prevalent member of the "Hit Parade" of transmittable zoonotic diseases and could potentially be encountered in a Corn Snake.
http://www.anapsid.org/salmprec.html

A healthy person may pick up salmonella unknowingly and get maybe some diarrea for a couple days, not make the connection, assume it was something they ate.

Luckily, dangerous Salmonella levels in reptiles can be controlled through the use of a reptile specific pro-biotic.

Antibiotics have been a valuable tool against certain diseases.
Unfortunately, some pathogens, such as Salmonella, are resistant to their capabilities to prevent or cure disease.

Because of the indiscriminate nature of some antibiotics they will destroy both "bad" and "good" bacteria.
Since the bacteria "war" is a numbers game, it is important that the "good" bacteria always outnumber the "bad" bacteria.

Feeding a probiotic a.k.a. D.F.M. (direct-fed-microbial) specially formulated for reptiles can help insure this replenishing of "good" bacteria.
I like a product called NutriBAC DF.
http://www.nutribac.com/

Since all animals can experience stress and pathogens take advantage of stressful situations it is crucial that there are fewer numbers of these potential pathogens in the gut of the animal.

What research has proved the value of probiotics in reptiles you ask?
Well, heres a Iquana study for ya.

Iguanas (Iguana iguana) that were positive for Salmonella spp were divided into a control and treatment groups.
The control group was fed commercial iguana food.
The treatment groups were also fed commercial iguana food with different levels of NutriBAC-df hand-mixed with them.
The treatment groups were also given water with the NutriBAC-df supplement sprinkled in it.
The trial lasted over one year with monthly fecal samples tested for Salmonella.
After only four months, iguanas being fed a high concentration of NutriBAC-df began testing negative for Salmonella.

After nine months further enrichment tests of the intestine proved there was no Salmonella growth.

Other iguanas in the NutriBAC-df treatment groups have also gone salmonella-negative after being fed the specially-formulated supplement.

Subsequent testing on other treatment iguanas continued to prove that the iguanas being fed the NutriBAC-df supplement were shedding (through the feces) less frequently than control group iguanas.

To further substantiate the findings, a strict protocol was followed to determine if the direct-fed-microbials in NutriBAC-df were attaching and living within the intestinal walls of the iguanas.
The results showed a range from 484,000,000 to 1,000,000,000 colony forming units per gram of iguana intestine!
Iguanas not fed the supplement still showed Salmonella residing in the intestine, colon, and cecum.

Direct-Fed-Microbials, it's a good thing.
imho

http://www.anapsid.org/salsolut.html

Fascinating study. It sounds worth doing. I would still take basic precautions to prevent possible transmission. I consider the handwashing/sanitizing and viv cleaning/sanitizing a way to protect my corn snake from human carried bacteria .

I checked pricing http://www.fowlersfood.com/nutribac.html and a bottle with 50 grams powder was priced at $7 with a $5 shipping (covers up to 4 bottles). I didn't find much about dosing or how many "servings" 50 grams is. Obviously it would depend on the size of your snake (or other reptile). Not having a gram scale I couldn't say, but I'm guessing you wouldn't use much more than 2 grams to powder a pinkie mouse.

Hmm... has anyone found the ingredients to the NutriBac stuff? I can't seem to find it anywhere (and that's pretty sketchy to me). There was another probiotic supplement other people used (forgot what it was called, but used for birds and reptiles), and it listed the ingredients and most of it was just different types of acidophillus.

-13mur 6

United States Patent 5,879,719
March 9, 1999

Process for control, elimination or inhibition of salmonellae in reptiles and/or amphibians

Abstract

A process of administering a probiotic composition containing bacteria effective for eliminating, inhibiting or controlling salmonellae colonization in reptiles and/or amphibians, for example, in their intestine, e.g., small intestine, caecum, colon, and/or fecal matter or other excreta or secreta. The probiotic may contain bacteria including: (a) at least one Lactobacillus species; (b) at least one Bacillus species; (c) at least one Bifidobacterium species; (d) at least one Aspergillus species other than Aspergillus flavus; and (e) at least one Enterococcus species. Optionally, the probiotic composition may be further formulated with a suitable carrier including, but not limited to, lactose, dried milk, dextrose, mixtures thereof and the like.


L. acidophillus

L. caseii

B. subtillis

Bifidobacterium

Aspergillus oryzae

Enterrocuccus
http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-P...S=PN/5,879,719

The invention(NutriBAC DF) is directed to a method for controlling or inhibiting salmonellae colonization in reptiles and/or amphibians. More particularly, the present invention is directed to a method comprising administering a probiotic composition for the effective control, elimination or inhibition of salmonellae colonization in reptiles and/or amphibians such as iguanas, turtles, snakes, frogs and the like and to prevent such reptiles and/or amphibians from harboring the salmonellae in amounts sufficient to infect animals and humans.

It is well recognized that reptiles and/or amphibians are typically asymptomatic carriers of salmonellae. Often, the salmonellae are present within the intestine, e.g., small intestine, colon, caecum, and/or fecal matter of the reptile and/or amphibian. The spread of salmonellae from asymptomatic reptilian and/or amphibian carriers presents a substantial health hazard to animals and to humans. For example, the most recognized reptilian contaminant condition among zoo personnel and their families is Salmonellosis. All salmonellae serotypes should be considered potential pathogens


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I'm guessing you wouldn't use much more than 2 grams to powder a pinkie mouse.

As far as dippin' a pinky butt your talking 1/20 of a gram sticking to the pink, if that.
Probably 1/50 of a gram, it ain't much. We're not battering 'em up to fry.., hmmm, pinky pups on a stick, hey we could be on to something. "Mustard with that?"