Detection of Mycobacteria and Chlamydiae in Granulomatous Inflammation of Reptiles: A Retrospective Study

Abstract

Abstract.A retrospective study on reptile tissues presenting with granulomatous inflammation was performed to detect the possible presence of mycobacteria and chlamydiae in these lesions. Ninety cases including 48 snakes, 27 chelonians, and 15 lizards were selected. Mycobacteria were detected by Ziehl-Neelsen (ZN) staining and a broad-range polymerase chain reaction (PCR) followed by DNA sequencing. To detect chlamydiae, immunohistochemistry with monoclonal antibodies against chlamydial lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and a Chlamydiales order-specific PCR and sequencing were applied. Acid-fast bacilli were found in 14 cases (15.6%) by ZN staining and in 23 cases (25.6%) by PCR. Sequence analysis revealed the presence of Mycobacteria other than Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex (MOTT). Chlamydial LPS antigen was observed within granulomas from five samples (5.6%), whereas the PCR screen revealed 58 positive cases (64.4%). Of these, 9 cases (10%) showed 98-99% similarity to Chlamydophila (Cp.) pneumoniae and 49 cases (54.4%) displayed a high similarity (88-97%) to the newly described ''Chlamydia-like'' microorganisms Parachlamydia acanthamoebae and Simkania negevensis. Results from this study confirm, on the one hand, that MOTT are probably the most important infectious etiology for granulomatous inflammation in reptiles. On the other hand, they indicate that chlamydia infects reptiles and that Cp. pneumoniae should be considered an etiological agent of granulomatous lesions of reptiles. Because both MOTT and Cp. pneumoniae are human pathogens, the potential of zoonotic transmission from reptiles to humans has to be considered. In contrast, the significance of Chlamydia-like isolates remains completely open, and further studies are needed to evaluate their role.

Free-living snakes as a source and possible vector of Salmonella spp. and parasites

“…ware not found, there are studies reporting those pathogens in reptiles (Mitchell 2012;Soldati et al 2004).…”

Systemic mixed infection in a brown caiman (Caiman crocodilus fuscus) caused by Mycobacterium szulgai and M. chelonae: a case report

“…Several cases of M. chelonae infection in reptiles are present in the literature (Greer et al, 2003;Soldati et al, 2004), but to the best of our knowledge, this is the first case of M. szulgai infection in a reptile. Non-specific signs, including anorexia and chronic weight loss observed in the brown caiman were described previously in reptiles systemically infected with PPM (Jacobson, 2007).…”

“…The few reported cases of mycobacterial disease in reptiles have mostly indicated single organ involvement such as the lung, liver, spleen or epidermis (Maslow et al, 2002;Soldati et al, 2004;Noyes et al, 2007;Pavlik and Falkinham, 2009). Cases of farmed crocodiles with granulomatous lesions in the lungs, trachea and intestines have been reported (Youngprapakorn et al, 1994).…”

“…(Nevarez, 2006). Mycobacterial infections in reptiles are often associated with the development of histiocytic granulomatous inflammation with systemic mycobacterial spread resulting in necrosis (Soldati et al, 2004). Mycobacteria can cause systemic illness accompanied by nonspecific signs like anorexia, lethargy and wasting.…”

Lesões pulmonares associadas ao parasitismo por Sebekia oxycephala (Pentastomida) em jacarés-açu (Melanosuchus niger Spix, 1825) oriundos de vida livre na Amazônia brasileira

“…Segundo Soldati et al (2004), a maioria (58/90) destas inflamações granulomatosas em répteis é observada na forma crônica.…”