Mycobacteriosis in Amphibians

Chai, Norin

doi:10.1016/b978-1-4377-1986-4.00029-9

Cited by 7 publications

(15 citation statements)

References 16 publications

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“…Many cases of fungal dermatitis may have occurred secondary to non‐specific skin disease (see above). Although mycobacteriosis can present as a disease outbreak in some captive amphibian populations [Pessier, ; Chai, ], the organisms usually associated with disease in amphibians are environmentally ubiquitous, and the cases at EVACC occurred at different times in individual animals of different species. The cause of the proliferative pneumonia observed in small numbers of animals from different species could not be determined, but infectious agents including viruses and organisms such as Chlamydophila pneumoniae [Berger et al, ] may be considerations.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Causes of mortality in anuran amphibians from an ex situ survival assurance colony in Panama

et al. 2014

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The success of ex situ survival assurance populations as tools for amphibian conservation depends on the health and reproductive success of founder populations. Necropsy examination and histopathology of animals that die in assurance populations are useful for the identification of population-limiting disease problems and can help to direct applied research efforts in areas such as amphibian husbandry and nutrition. This study reviewed postmortem findings in 167 frogs from 13 species that died in a large Panamanian rescue and survival assurance population between 2006 and 2011. Common problems identified in long-term captive animals, especially in Atelopus species, were epithelial squamous metaplasia suggestive of vitamin A deficiency and a polycystic nephropathy resembling lesions seen in laboratory animals with electrolyte imbalances. Metabolic bone disease was a significant contributor to morbidity in captive-bred juvenile frogs of Gastrotheca cornuta, Hemiphractus fasciatus, and Hylomantis lemur. Findings common to multiple species included poor overall nutritional condition that was sometimes attributable to maladaptation to captive husbandry and epidermal hyperplasia and hyperkeratosis possibly reflecting environmental skin irritation. Infectious diseases and endoparasitism were most common in recently captured animals and included chytridiomycosis and Rhabdias sp. lungworms. Applied research efforts to improve sustainability of survival assurance populations should focus on elucidating optimal husbandry practices for diverse species, improving methods for nutritional supplementation of cultured insects and examination of the role of water composition in disease development.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Causes of mortality in anuran amphibians from an ex situ survival assurance colony in Panama

et al. 2014

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“…A bearded dragon (Pogona vitticeps) with osteomyelitis due to atypical mycobacteriosis was assumed to be immunocompromised due to inadequate husbandry (Kramer, 2006). Immunosuppression is well recognized as a predisposing factor for mycobacteriosis in amphibians and it is likely to have played a role in this case series (Clark and Shepard, 1963;Ramakrishnan et al, 1997;Ferreira et al, 2006;Chai, 2012;Martinho and Heatley, 2012). Immunosuppression was also thought to be a factor in 15 cases of spinal arthropathy due to the bacterium Ochrobactrum anthropi in cane toads (B.marinus) (Shilton et al, 2008).…”

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confidence: 95%

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confidence: 99%

“…Although mortality rates associated with mycobacteriosis are generally low in captive anurans, it has been reported as the leading cause of death in some research frog colonies (Fremont-Rahl et al, 2011;Chai, 2012). Mature amphibians are affected more often than tadpoles and mycobacterial infection is often subclinical, with disease developing mainly in immunocompromised animals (Clark and Shepard, 1963;Ramakrishnan et al, 1997;Ferreira et al, 2006;Chai, 2012;Martinho and Heatley, 2012). Anuran families known to be susceptible to mycobacteriosis include Bufonidae, Hylidae, Leptodactylidae, Pipidae, Pseudidae, Dendrobatidae and Ranidae with most infections reported in African clawed frogs (Xenopus species) (Green et al, 2000;Trott et al, 2004;Godfrey et al, 2007;Suykerbuyk et al, 2007;Reavill and Schmidt, 2012).…”

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confidence: 99%

“…It is therefore possible that the painted reed frogs were infected with mycobacteria when they were caught, however given that the first mortalities in wild caught adults occurred 14 months after capture and that cases also occurred in F1 and F3 generations, it is more likely that the infection was contracted in captivity. The most likely source was the water; M. liflandii has been isolated from water in an epizootic of mycobacteriosis in Xenopus tropicalis and an atypical mycobacterium was found in tap water used to house Xenopus laevis (Kirsch et al, 2008;Chai, 2012). M. chelonae and M. fortuitum have also been isolated from water samples taken from amphibian breeding grounds in Brazil (Mok et al, 1987).…”

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

Barrows¹,

Koeppel

Michel

et al. 2017

Journal of Comparative Pathology

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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.

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Medical management of dermatitis‐associated morbidity and mortality in endangered Houston toads (Anaxyrus houstonensis)

Noriega

Oliveira²,

Crump

et al. 2022

Vet Record Case Reports

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The Houston toad (Anaxyrus [Bufo] houstonensis) is protected under the U.S. Endangered Species Act and is endemic to east central Texas. Since 2007, the Houston Zoo Inc. participated in Houston toad recovery through captive breeding, re‐introduction and maintenance of a captive assurance colony. During 2012 and 2013, the zoo's Houston toad colony experienced increased morbidity and mortality attributed to dermatitis of various aetiologies. An 8‐month time period, from September 2012 through April 2013, was selected to evaluate disease aetiology, treatments administered and success of therapy. A total of 248 toad records were reviewed. During this time, 52 toads that died with dermatitis associated with a fungal or bacterial aetiology or a combination of both were included in the review. Toads that survived (n = 196) had been treated with either oral enrofloxacin (10 mg/kg once daily), itraconazole baths (0.01% solution for 10–15 minutes once daily), enhanced nutrition or a combination of these therapies.

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Mycobacteriosis in Amphibians

Cited by 7 publications

References 16 publications

Causes of mortality in anuran amphibians from an ex situ survival assurance colony in Panama

Causes of mortality in anuran amphibians from an ex situ survival assurance colony in Panama

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

Medical management of dermatitis‐associated morbidity and mortality in endangered Houston toads (Anaxyrus houstonensis)

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