Fatal Disseminated Pseudomonas Aeruginosa Infection in a Captive Green Iguana (<i>Iguana iguana</i>)

Šupić, Jovana; Rešidbegović, Emina; Koro, Amira; Hadžiabdić, Sead; Golob, Majda; Škapur, Vedad; Alić, Amer

doi:10.2478/acve-2021-0031

Cited by 4 publications

(1 citation statement)

References 21 publications

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“…In addition, in our study, Haemogregarina stepanowi-infected turtles revealed alterations in hematocrit and hemoglobin concentrations. However, similar parameters and values could be common findings in captive reptiles with malnutrition and other chronic conditions [30,31].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 61%

Eight-Year Study of Haemogregarina stepanowi Infection in Poached European Pond Turtles (Emys orbicularis) Held in Belgrade Zoo Quarantine

Aleksić-Kovačević

Vučićević

Özvegy³

et al. 2023

Animals

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The eight-year study (2015–2023) was performed on a large sample of poached European pond turtles infected with Haemogregarina stepanowi and held in a pond that belongs to a quarantine section of Belgrade Zoo. The protected species of European pond turtles have been found in poor health, with general weakness, anorexia, and low motility. Comprehensive cytological, hematological, molecular, and postmortem evaluations have been performed. Initially, Diff Quick staining of the blood smears revealed rounded or elongated erythrocytes, often bearing premeront or U-shaped gamont of the hemogregarines inside. The reduced erythrocyte numbers, hemoglobin, and hematocrit values found in the examined population of infected turtles indicated anemia. Macroscopically, shell necrosis and massive skin hemorrhages were the most prominent findings observed in diseased turtles. Microscopically, the lungs, liver, kidneys, and spleen revealed hyperemia, hemorrhages, and the presence of parasitic stages in tissue samples in 31 of 40 necropsied turtles. Cytological and microscopic examination of the samples proved to be sufficient for establishing the infection, but molecular analyses of the 18S sequence were used for phylogenetic studies. Over the years, the number of diseased and dead turtles has decreased, which could be hypothetically attributed to the elimination of leeches as the definitive host.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 61%

Eight-Year Study of Haemogregarina stepanowi Infection in Poached European Pond Turtles (Emys orbicularis) Held in Belgrade Zoo Quarantine

Aleksić-Kovačević

Vučićević

Özvegy³

et al. 2023

Animals

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Identification of Pseudomonas aeruginosa From the Skin Ulcer Disease of Crocodile Lizards (Shinisaurus crocodilurus) and Probiotics as the Control Measure

Xiong

Qin

et al. 2022

Front. Vet. Sci.

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The crocodile lizard (Shinisaurus crocodilurus) is an endangered ancient reptile species. Captive breeding is an important conservation measure for the potential restoration and recovery of their wild populations. However, a skin ulcer disease caused by an unknown pathogen has become a serious threat to captive breeding individuals. In the current study, based on microbial isolation, we identified Pseudomonas aeruginosa as the dominant pathogen in skin ulcer disease. Chinese skinks (Plestiodon chinensis) were used to verify the pathogenicity of P. aeruginosa in skin ulcer disease in vivo. As expected, subcutaneous inoculation of P. aeruginosa induced skin disease in healthy skinks and P. aeruginosa was re-isolated from the induced skin ulcers. Therefore, P. aeruginosa, an opportunistic and ubiquitous pathogen that causes a wide range of infections, appears to be the main pathogen of the skin disease affecting crocodile lizards. In the aquaculture industry, probiotics are widely used in the prevention and control of animal diseases caused by such pathogens. Here, we administered probiotics to the breeding crocodile lizards for 6 months. The three experiment groups treated with different kinds of probiotics showed significance at controlling case incidence. Three of the four groups treated with probiotics showed significant disease prevention (Effective Microorganisms mixed probiotics P = 0.0374; Double-dose Effective Microorganisms, P = 0.0299; Bacillus subtilis, P = 0.0140, T-test), and CFUs in the water of the breeding enclosures were also inhibited after probiotics usage (P < 0.001, T-test). Our study demonstrated the role of Pseudomonas aeruginosa in development of skin ulcer disease of crocodile lizards in a local zoo and offered the probiotic-based method for control measurements, which would be of benefit for the conservation of endangered reptiles.

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The Isolation, Identification and Characterization of a Wild-Type Strain Pseudomonas aeruginosa PM1012 from the Cloacal Microbiota of a Common Wall Lizard (Podarcis muralis Laurenti, 1768)

Lazarkevich,

Engibarov,

Mitova

et al. 2024

Applied Microbiology

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Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a ubiquitous environmental Gram-negative bacterium and also an opportunistic pathogen for both humans and animals, causing acute or chronic infections. It has been frequently detected in healthy and diseased reptiles, more commonly in captive ones. Since most studies are primarily on clinical isolates, the pathogenic potential of strains originating from wild animals is poorly explored. We isolated the strain P. aeruginosa PM1012 from the cloacal microbiota of a common wall lizard (Podarcis muralis Laurenti, 1768) from a free-living population. The effect of temperature, pH and salinity on its growth was evaluated. Antibiotic resistance, the expression of several virulence factors as some extracellular enzymes, pyocyanin production and biofilm formation were also assessed. Apart from intrinsic resistance, the newly isolated strain P. aeruginosa PM1012 presented an antibiotic susceptibility profile with a low resistance rate limited to meropenem and intermediate to ceftazidime and aztreonam. Protease, lipase and gelatinase secretion was detected. Strong pyocyanin production was observed in the optimal range of growth conditions. An excellent biofilm-forming capacity was manifested.

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Fatal Disseminated Pseudomonas Aeruginosa Infection in a Captive Green Iguana (Iguana iguana)

Cited by 4 publications

References 21 publications

Eight-Year Study of Haemogregarina stepanowi Infection in Poached European Pond Turtles (Emys orbicularis) Held in Belgrade Zoo Quarantine

Eight-Year Study of Haemogregarina stepanowi Infection in Poached European Pond Turtles (Emys orbicularis) Held in Belgrade Zoo Quarantine

Identification of Pseudomonas aeruginosa From the Skin Ulcer Disease of Crocodile Lizards (Shinisaurus crocodilurus) and Probiotics as the Control Measure

The Isolation, Identification and Characterization of a Wild-Type Strain Pseudomonas aeruginosa PM1012 from the Cloacal Microbiota of a Common Wall Lizard (Podarcis muralis Laurenti, 1768)

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