Mycobacterial Arthritis and Synovitis in Painted Reed Frogs ( Hyperolius marmoratus )

Abstract

Several species of atypical mycobacteria have been isolated from wild and captive amphibians. In captive anurans cutaneous and visceral mycobacteriosis are common and can result in significant mortality, particularly when animals are immunocompromised. Mycobacterial arthritis and synovitis have rarely been reported in amphibians. We describe 20 cases in painted reed frogs, Hyperolius marmoratus which presented with cachexia, limb paresis or paralysis or 'spindly leg syndrome'. Histopathology revealed multifocal histiocytic to granulomatous synovitis affecting appendicular, rib or spinal intervertebral joints. Periarticular granulomata, granulomatous cellulitis and skeletal muscle atrophy, necrosis and degeneration were also present. In one case granulomatous spinal osteomyelitis was recorded. Ziehl-Neelson stains showed large numbers of acid-fast bacteria in macrophages and histiocytes. The mycobacterial isolates obtained from culture were identified as members of the Mycobacterium chelonae complex (either M. chelonae or M. abscessus). This was confirmed by 5'16sRNA sequencing. In 17 cases mycobacterial lesions were present only in the joints and skeleton highlighting the importance of not ruling out mycobacterial infection on the basis of lack of cutaneous or visceral lesions.

Non-tuberculous Mycobacterium species causing mycobacteriosis in farmed aquatic animals of South Africa

“…Mycobacteriosis is among the most chronic diseases affecting aquatic animals [ 3 – 5 , 13 ]. In this study, sixteen Mycobacterium isolates originating from different species of fish, frogs and a crocodile were characterized by 16S rRNA and hsp65 gene sequence analysis for speciation.…”

“…The two ghost frogs originated from the same fresh water aquarium. A recent study conducted in South Africa reported isolation of M. abscessus- chelonae complex from frogs in captivity [ 5 ]. Except for a few cases reported in laboratory animals, like those of Mycobacterium liflandii and Mycobacterium marinum, mycobacteriosis in frogs is rare [ 38 ].…”

“…Non-tuberculous mycobacterial (NTM) infections are among the most common chronic diseases of aquatic animals. NTM are known to infect a number of aquatic animals including fish, amphibians and reptiles [ 1 – 5 ]. NTM infections of fish have been reported in more than 150 species worldwide [ 6 ].…”

Complete genome sequence of Candidatus Mycobacterium wuenschmannii , a nontuberculous mycobacterium isolated from a captive population of Amazon milk frogs

“…Mycobacteria are ubiquitous in the environment and can cause various opportunistic infections in humans and animals ( 1 – 3 ). Various species of Mycobacterium have been reported to cause disease in anurans including Mycobacterium marinum, Mycobacterium liflandii, Mycobacterium gordonae, Mycobacterium fortuitum, Mycobacterium xenopi, and Mycobacterium chelonae ( 4 – 6 ). Here, we report the whole-genome sequence of a heretofore unnamed mycobacterium isolated from Amazon milk frogs ( Trachycephalus resinifictrix ).…”

Isolation and Molecular Identification of Nontuberculous Mycobacterium from Different Species of Fish in Karbala Province, Iraq

“…Nodular lesions on skin, miliary tubercles occurs in the liver, spleen and kidney which is histologically corresponding to granuloma; in addition to the fact that an affected fish may die, the mortality may reach up to 50% with no clinical signs (5,6). Some NTM pathogens that infect fish are highly virulent and are pathogenic to human; so, it may be considered as a zoonotic in a public health concern and its spread from fish, birds, and animals to human causing epidemics in nature (7)(8)(9)(10)(11)(12)(13). Conventional biochemical tests are not a significant method for NTM identification at the species level in addition, it waste of time (14).…”