FUNGAL FLORA OF ROSETTE QUILLS IN THE NORTH AMERICAN PORCUPINE (ERETHIZON DORSATUM) IN THE NORTHEASTERN UNITED STATES.

The North American (NA) porcupine (Erethizon dorsatum) is a rodent species with specialized hair structures called quills designed to detach and penetrate into tissues of any human or animal coming into contact with them. The objective of this study was to characterize the fungal flora of the quills in the region of the rosette in wild NA porcupines to further define health risks to NA porcupines and any animal coming into contact with the quills. A total of 17 adult NA porcupines were sampled, and fungal culture was performed. Fungal organisms were cultured from 15 (88.2%) of 17 samples. Thirty-three isolates of 10 different fungal genera were cultured. The most frequently isolated fungi were Lodderomyces elongisporus (n = 7, 41.2%), Candida spp. (n = 3, 17.6%), and Penicillium spp. (n = 2, 11.8%). Eleven (64.7%) individuals grew multiple fungal organisms. In humans and animals quilled by porcupines, fungal culture should be considered in cases of infection, and if isolates resembling Candida spp. are isolated, matrix-assisted laser desorption-ionization time of flight or molecular methods are necessary to rule out L. elongisporus.

CLINICOPATHOLOGIC EVALUATION OF AN EX SITU POPULATION OF ADULT AFRICAN WHITE-BELLIED PANGOLIN (PHATAGINUS TRICUSPIS).

Death due to illegal trade and trafficking serves as the largest threat to pangolins in their geographic range countries. Appropriate veterinary care is essential to the welfare of sick or debilitated pangolins. Given the challenge of comprehensive physical examination of this species due to its unique anatomic features and poorly studied physiology, laboratory diagnostics can provide essential information to guide appropriate medical care. This retrospective study included previously analyzed blood and urine samples collected from adult (n = 17) African white-bellied pangolins (Phataginus tricuspis) under managed care that were sampled over a 4-yr period as part of routine veterinary examinations. Samples from clinically normal animals were used to summarize results for this species. Pangolins had a lymphocyte-predominant leukogram with a mean neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio of 0.83 (min-max: 0.13-4.81). Seasonal, sex, and age differences were present for several hematologic and serum biochemical analytes. Urine samples had a median urine specific gravity (USG) of 1.040 (min-max: 1.006-1.060), a neutral-to-basic urine pH (6.0-8.6), and contained mainly struvite crystals or infrequently calcium oxalate dihydrate crystals. Winter samples had higher USG than summer samples. The clinicopathologic data provided herein offers applicable information useful for the clinical management of pangolins.