Diagnostic evaluation and treatment of a Chinese crocodile lizard (<i>Shinisaurus crocodilurus</i>) with seizures

Brady, Sean; Harrison, Tara M.; Williams, Colette; Evola, Maria G.; Wack, Raymund F.

doi:10.1136/vetreccr-2016-000368

Cited by 3 publications

(2 citation statements)

References 12 publications

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“…There are ∼800 captive crocodile lizards globally. However, in recent years, they have been affected by various diseases, such as cutaneous granuloma, skin ulceration, early death in newborns, malformation, incomplete absorption of yolk, and seizure (21)(22)(23), thus impeding conservation programs and increasing the risk of transmission to the wild population. Among these, the most widespread and serious are skin diseases.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Skin Microbiota Was Altered in Crocodile Lizards (Shinisaurus crocodilurus) With Skin Ulcer

et al. 2022

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Skin diseases commonly affect reptiles, but their relationships to the closely related skin microbiome are not well-understood. In recent years, both the wild and captive populations of the crocodile lizard, a Class I protected endangered animal in China, have suffered serious skin diseases that hamper the rescue and release projects for their conservation. This study conducted a detailed prevalence investigation of a major dermatosis characterized by foot skin ulcer in crocodile lizards. It should be noticed that skin ulcer has been prevalent in both captive and wild populations. There was positive correlation between skin ulcer and temperature, while no significant relationship between skin ulcer and humidity, sex, and age. We further studied the relationship between skin ulcer and the skin microbiota using meta-taxonomics. Results showed that the skin microbiota of crocodile lizards was significantly different from those of the environmental microbial communities, and that skin microbiota had a significant relationship with skin ulcer despite the impact of environment. Both bacterial and fungal communities on the ulcerated skin were significantly changed, which was characterized by lower community diversity and different dominant microbes. Our findings provide an insight into the relationship between skin microbiota and skin disease in reptile, serving as a reference for dermatological etiology in wildlife conservation.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Skin Microbiota Was Altered in Crocodile Lizards (Shinisaurus crocodilurus) With Skin Ulcer

et al. 2022

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“…However, disease diagnosis of wildlife animals can be impeded due to the limited clinic samples and lack of information regarding pathogens that cause these diseases. While thyroid adenocarcinoma, melanomacrophage hyperplasia and suspected seizures have been described, infectious pathogens in crocodile lizards have not been previously reported ( Brady et al, 2016 ). Rapid clinical diagnosis of infectious disease is necessary to facilitate timely therapy.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Identification ofAustwickia chelonaeas cause of cutaneous granuloma in endangered crocodile lizards using metataxonomics

Jiang

Zhang²,

Li³

et al. 2019

PeerJ

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The crocodile lizard (Shinisaurus crocodilurus Ahl, 1930) is an endangered reptile species, and in recent years many have died from diseases, especially the rescued and breeding individuals. However, pathogens underlying these diseases are unclear. In this study, we report our effort in rapidly identifying and isolating the pathogen that causes high mortality in crocodile lizards from Guangdong Luokeng Shinisaurus crocodilurus National Nature Reserve. The typical symptom is cutaneous granuloma in the infected crocodile lizards. Metagenomic next-generation sequencing (mNGS) is a comprehensive approach for sequence-based identification of pathogenic microbes. In this study, 16S rDNA based mNGS was used for rapid identification of pathogens, and microscopy and microbe isolation were used to confirm the results. Austwickia chelonae was identified to be the dominant pathogen in the granuloma using 16S rDNA based mNGS. Chinese skinks were used as an animal model to verify the pathogenicity of A. chelonae to fulfill Koch’s postulates. As expected, subcutaneous inoculation of A. chelonae induced granulomas in the healthy Chinese skinks and the A. chelonae was re-isolated from the induced granulomas. Therefore, A. chelonae was the primary pathogen that caused this high mortality disease, cutaneous granuloma, in crocodile lizards from Guangdong Luokeng Shinisaurus crocodilurus National Nature Reserve. Antibiotics analysis demonstrated that A. chelonae was sensitive to cephalothin, minocycline and ampicillin, but not to kanamycin, gentamicin, streptomycin and clarithromycin, suggesting a possible treatment for the infected crocodile lizards. However, surgical resection of the nodules as early as possible was recommended. This study is the first report of pathogenic analysis in crocodile lizards and provides a reference for disease control and conservations of the endangered crocodile lizards and other reptiles. In addition, this study indicated that mNGS of lesions could be used to detect the pathogens in animals with benefits in speed and convenient.

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Magnetic Resonance Imaging

Holmes¹,

Wyneken²

2019

Mader's Reptile and Amphibian Medicine and Surgery

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Diagnostic evaluation and treatment of a Chinese crocodile lizard (Shinisaurus crocodilurus) with seizures

Cited by 3 publications

References 12 publications

Skin Microbiota Was Altered in Crocodile Lizards (Shinisaurus crocodilurus) With Skin Ulcer

Skin Microbiota Was Altered in Crocodile Lizards (Shinisaurus crocodilurus) With Skin Ulcer

Identification ofAustwickia chelonaeas cause of cutaneous granuloma in endangered crocodile lizards using metataxonomics

Magnetic Resonance Imaging

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