Pulmonary actinomycosis in two chamois (Rupicapra rupicapra)

Abstract

Actinomycosis is a widespread non-contagious infectious condition, occurring both in animals and humans, caused by bacteria of the Actinomyces genus. In this report, two cases of pulmonary actinomycosis occurring in two wild chamois from northern Italy are described. In both cases, evidence of lung pyogranulomatous lesions with intra-lesional sulphur granules composed of filamentous, acid fast negative bacteria that stain positive for gram and periodic acid Schiff (PAS) leads to the etiological confirmation of pulmonary actinomycosis.

Pulmonary Actinomycosis in South Australian Koalas (Phascolarctos cinereus)

“…Pulmonary actinomycosis has not been described in the koala previously, but the observed lesions were consistent with actinomycotic lesions observed in other species. 49,53…”

“…Pulmonary actinomycosis has not been described in the koala previously, but the observed lesions were consistent with actinomycotic lesions observed in other species. 49,53 Actinomyces is an anaerobic or facultative aerobic, grampositive, filamentous bacteria, which is non-spore forming and non-motile. 47 Actinomyces species can be found in normal healthy microbiota of the human oropharynx and gastrointestinal tract 55,60 and on nasal, oral, or oropharyngeal mucosal surfaces of other animals 15,47 and are most often associated with opportunistic infections.…”

Hypertrophic osteopathy in South Australian koalas (Phascolarctos cinereus) with concurrent pulmonary actinomycosis

“…The pathogenesis of pulmonary actinomycosis in koalas is in need of further investigation, although aspiration is suspected. The pathogenesis is unknown for pulmonary actinomycosis in other wildlife species, including red kangaroo, 9 black‐tufted marmoset 13 and chamois 12 . In humans, aetiology is suspected to be aspiration, with oral hygiene, alcoholism, smoking and underlying respiratory disorders as risk factors 23…”

“…The pathogenesis is unknown for pulmonary actinomycosis in other wildlife species, including red kangaroo, 9 black-tufted marmoset 13 and chamois. 12 In humans, aetiology is suspected to be aspiration, with oral hygiene, alcoholism, smoking and underlying respiratory disorders as risk factors. 23 Morbidity and mortality in koalas across their natural range is relatively well investigated compared with many wildlife species.…”

“…10 ; and a wild brush-tailed possum (Trichosurus vulpecula) with a primary osteosarcoma involving the oesophageal wall. 11 Pulmonary actinomycosis is rare in free-ranging animals but has been described in non-marsupial species, including chamois (Rupicapra rupicapra) 12 and a black-tufted marmoset (Callithrix penicillata), 13 without the sequelae of HO. In South Australia, pulmonary actinomycosis has recently been described in a case series of 17 koalas (Stephenson et al, accepted 2020 14 ).…”