Amphibian Mycobacteriosis

Abstract

Amphibians are commonly kept in laboratory and zoological facilities and are becoming more frequent as pets. However, many amphibian species are declining in the wild owing to a variety of infectious and noninfectious diseases. This article reviews the current state of knowledge of mycobacteriosis in amphibian species, including pathogenesis, clinical signs, appropriate diagnostics, treatment options, and zoonotic potential and prevention. It is hoped this review will provide clinical veterinarians and scientists the tools they need to provide better care for amphibian species suffering mycobacteriosis, as well as serve to stimulate additional research into amphibians affected by mycobacterosis.

Biology and Diseases of Amphibians

“…The most familiar amphibian zoonosis is atypical mycobacteriosis, caused primarily by Mycobacterium marinum (Martinho and Heatley, 2012). The most familiar amphibian zoonosis is atypical mycobacteriosis, caused primarily by Mycobacterium marinum (Martinho and Heatley, 2012).…”

“…Etiology A number of Mycobacterium species have been detected and described in various amphibians (Martinho and Heatley, 2012;Hill et al, 2010;Trott et al, 2004;Godfrey et al, 2007;Green et al, 2000;Sánchez-Morgado et al, 2009;Shrenzel, 2012). These include M. marinum, M. chelonei, M. fortuitum, M. xenopi, M. avium intracellulare complex, M. liflandii, M. szulgai, M. gordonae, M. ulcerans, and Mycobacterium sp.…”

“…These acid-fast organisms are common saprophytes of soil and water (Wright, 1996;Klaphake, 2009). Generally, the organism is being reported in adult animals, after metamorphosis (Martinho and Heatley, 2012). Generally, the organism is being reported in adult animals, after metamorphosis (Martinho and Heatley, 2012).…”

“…They can also spread to the viscera and form granulomas in organs either with or without skin abnormalities (Crawshaw, 1993). It is typically a chronic, slow progressive disease in immunocompetent individuals, however in stressed or immunosuppressed, the course of infection is much more severe, leading to acute and systemic disease (Martinho and Heatley, 2012). It is typically a chronic, slow progressive disease in immunocompetent individuals, however in stressed or immunosuppressed, the course of infection is much more severe, leading to acute and systemic disease (Martinho and Heatley, 2012).…”

“…Visceral granulomas are most commonly found in the liver. It is important to note that the clinical signs of mycobacteriosis vary based on the species of mycobacteria, the species of amphibian, and environmental conditions (Martinho and Heatley, 2012). Chronic granulomatous inflammation is a hallmark of mycobacteriosis ( Fig.…”