Lactococcus garvieae-associated septicemia in a central bearded dragon.
J Vet Diagn Invest
; 36(3): 477-480, 2024 May.
Article
in En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-38516722
ABSTRACT
Lactococcus garvieae is the causative agent of lactococcosis in fish and an emerging zoonotic pathogen with high levels of antimicrobial resistance. We report a case of L. garvieae-associated septicemia in a central bearded dragon (Pogona vitticeps) confirmed via whole-blood PCR and direct sequencing. Following a 30-d course of ceftazidime (20 mg/kg IM q72h), the animal's clinical condition had not resolved; leukopenia persisted, with heterophil toxic change. Coelomic ultrasound findings were consistent with preovulatory follicular stasis, folliculitis, and coelomitis. Following surgical ovariectomy and an additional 30-d course of ceftazidime, the animal's behavior and appetite returned to normal, the animal tested negative via whole-blood PCR assay, and the CBC was unremarkable. To our knowledge, L. garvieae with L. garvieae-associated clinical disease has not been reported previously in a bearded dragon. We conclude that L. garvieae should be considered as a possible etiologic agent in cases of septicemia in bearded dragons, with the potential for zoonotic transmission warranting further investigation.
Key words
Full text:
1
Collection:
01-internacional
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Lactococcus
/
Gram-Positive Bacterial Infections
/
Sepsis
/
Lizards
Limits:
Animals
Language:
En
Journal:
J Vet Diagn Invest
Journal subject:
MEDICINA VETERINARIA
Year:
2024
Document type:
Article
Affiliation country: