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

Abstract

ABSTRACT:A five-year old female brown caiman (Caiman crocodilus fuscus) was admitted to a veterinary clinic because of anorexia and lethargy. Chronic deterioration of the patient's condition together with the formation of slushy stools coloured from brown to red was observed during the previous eight weeks. Physical examination showed significant apathy and cachexia. Radiographic examinations of chest and abdomen revealed no pathological findings. Initial blood tests revealed decreased hematocrit and low levels of haemoglobin. Despite treatment with enrofloxacin and intensive supportive therapy with amino acids, vitamins and mineral matter, the animal died 14 days after admission to the clinic. Post mortem examination revealed splenomegaly with a total destruction of inner organ structure together with multiple granulomas in liver and lungs. Ziehl-Neelsen staining of tissue samples from liver, lungs and spleen revealed numerous acid-fast bacilli consistent with Mycobacterium spp. Identification of isolates was carried out using PCR restriction analysis (PRA) of the hsp65 gene and DNA sequencing of the 16S rRNA gene. Two different mycobacterial isolates obtained from separate samples of liver, lungs and spleen were identified as M. chelonae and M. szulgai. This is the first report of mixed infection caused by M. chelonae and M. szulgai in a reptile.

Mycobacterium arupense among the isolates of non-tuberculous mycobacteria from human, animal and environmental samples

“…More than 140 mycobacterial species are currently described; moreover, the number of NTM species is increasing (Tortoli, 2006;Kazda et al, 2009). NTM infections have been increasing in number over the past decades, especially in immunocompromised and HIV/AIDS patients (Sack, 1990;Echevarria et al, 1994;Tortoli et al, 2000) and in domestic and free living animals Moravkova et al, 2008a;Shitaye et al, 2008a,b;Trckova et al, 2009;Slany et al, 2010).…”

Molecular Detection of Nontuberculous Mycobacteria: Advantages and Limits of a Broad-Range Sequencing Approach

“…This scheme could be beneficial when identifying mixed bacterial samples. Briefly, morphologically distinct colonies from primary culture are subcultured and then 16S rRNA sequencing is carried out [Slany et al, 2010a]. The advantage of using ribosomal sequences for genotypic identification of mycobacteria lies in the possibility of recognizing previously undescribed species [Slany et al 2010b;Springer et al, 1996].…”

Relative prevalence ofMycobacterium marinumin fish collected from aquaria and natural freshwaters in central Europe

“…; Slany et al . ). The natural reservoirs of these non‐primary pathogenic mycobacteria include aquatic and terrestrial environments (Gauthier & Rhodes ; Slany et al .…”

“…Non-tuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) are responsible for several diseases in humans and/or animals known as mycobacterioses (Shitaye et al 2010;Slany et al 2010a). The natural reservoirs of these non-primary pathogenic mycobacteria include aquatic and terrestrial environments (Gauthier & Rhodes 2009;Slany et al 2010b).…”