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- Title
A Unique Disease Presentation Associated with a Mesomycetozoean-Like Organism in the Jeweled Chameleon (Furcifer campani).
- Authors
Nash, Michael J.; McDermott, Emily A.; McGrew, Ashley K.; Muñoz, Juan; Willems, Dayna
- Abstract
Recent evidence suggests that lizards of the family Chamaeleonidae are one of the most heavily parasitized groups of reptiles kept in captivity; however, little is known about the clinical implications of these infections. Relative to other host species, there is a paucity of information on reptile parasites and the breadth of parasites that infect chameleons is not well described. We report a parasitic infection most consistent with organisms belonging to the Mesomycetozoea group in male and female wild-caught jeweled chameleons (Furcifer campani). Clinical features of infection included persistent weight loss, despite increased food intake; cachexia; abnormally increased light- and heat-seeking behavior; coelomic distention; and loose, watery stools. Histologically, there was extensive granuloma formation present in the liver and widespread localization of periodic acid–Schiff- and Grocott's methenamine silver–positive spores resembling those of Dermocystidium sp. in the bone marrow, gastrointestinal tract, and other tissues. A second case of infection with this pathogen also presented with concurrent Mycobacterium sp. throughout the body, suggesting that infection with mesomycetozoean organisms may serve as a primary cause of death, or conversely, may render the infected individual susceptible to secondary, opportunistic infection. The rapid health decline associated with infection in these cases indicates a need to better characterize prevalence and pathogenicity of parasites in captive chameleons.
- Subjects
SYMPTOMS; CHAMELEONS; PARASITIC diseases; OPPORTUNISTIC infections; GASTROINTESTINAL system; WEIGHT loss; BONE marrow
- Publication
Journal of Herpetological Medicine & Surgery, 2023, Vol 33, Issue 2, p109
- ISSN
1529-9651
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.5818/JHMS-D-22-00033