Investigation of Streptococcus zooepidemicus isolates from guinea pigs in Taiwan

Streptococcus zooepidemicus is known from a variety of animals and considered zoonotic. We are now investigating a collection of isolates from clinical samples of guinea pigs reared as exotic pets in Taiwan. A family cluster of human cases in United States was previously linked to guinea pig exposure according to the literature, and therefore for public health concerns, it is important for us to know the epidemiology of S. zooepidemicus circulating in pet guinea pigs in Taiwan.