Dermatomycosis in three central bearded dragons (Pogona vitticeps) associated with Nannizziopsis chlamydospora. (May 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Schmidt-Ukaj, Silvana; Loncaric, Igor; Spergser, Joachim; Richter, Barbara; Hochleithner, Manfred
• Is Part Of: Journal of veterinary diagnostic investigation. Volume 28:Number 3(2016:May)
• Page Start: 319
• Page End: 322
• Publication Date: 2016-05
• Subjects: Bearded dragons -- Chrysosporium -- dermatitis -- mycosis -- Nannizziopsis chlamydospora -- reptiles; Veterinary medicine -- Diagnosis -- Periodicals; 636.0896075
• DOI: 10.1177/1040638716636422
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1040-6387

Abstract

Chronic dermatomycosis was identified in 3 central bearded dragons ( Pogona vitticeps ), held as companion animals by the same owner. Clinical signs of dermatomycosis included subcutaneous masses as well as crusty, erosive, and ulcerative skin lesions. The facial region was affected in 2 of the 3 cases. Masses were surgically excised, and histology confirmed necrotizing and granulomatous inflammatory processes associated with fungal hyphae. Two of the bearded dragons were euthanized because of their deteriorating condition. In both cases, postmortem histology confirmed systemic fungal infections despite treatment of 1 animal with itraconazole. In the third bearded dragon, therapy with voriconazole at 10 mg/kg was initially effective, but mycotic lesions reappeared 15 months later. Nannizziopsis chlamydospora was identified by PCR and subsequent DNA sequencing in 2 of these cases.