Journal of Zoo and Wildlife Medicine2008; 39(3)

ALEUTIAN DISEASE SEROLOGY, PROTEIN ELECTROPHORESIS, AND

PATHOLOGY OF THE EUROPEAN MINK (MUSTELA LUTREOLA) FROM
NAVARRA, SPAIN
Persistent, progressive infection characterized by hypergammaglobulinemia,
plasmocytosis, lymphoplasmacytic infiltration of liver, kidney, spleen, lymph nodes,
immunocomplex-mediated glomerulonephritis, and arteritis.
In persistently infected American mink, ADV has been reported to cause uveitis,
nonsuppurative meningoencephalitis, reduced fertility and spontaneous abortions,
and increased susceptibility to opportunistic bacterial infections.
In neonates, direct viral damage causes an acute and often fatal interstitial
pneumonia.

FATAL TOXOPLASMOSIS IN SAND CATS (FELIS MARGARITA)

DISSEMINATED TUBERCULOSIS IN HYRAX (PROCAVIA CAPENSIS) CAUSED

BY MYCOBACTERIUM AFRICANUM

SPONTANEOUS NEOPLASIA IN FOUR CAPTIVE GREATER HEDGEHOG

TENRECS (SETIFER SETOSUS)
Case 1: papillary and infiltrative transitional cell carcinoma.
Case 2: infiltrative transitional cell carcinoma.
Case 3: endometrial polyps.
Case 4: multicentric B-cell lymphoma.
Case 2:
CHYTRIDIOMYCOSIS IN AN AQUARIUM COLLECTION OF FROGS: DIAGNOSIS,
TREATMENT, AND CONTROL
Caused by Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis. Histologically, in the digits and
abdominal skin, there was a moderate to marked hyperplasia of the epidermis with
some hyperkeratosis and occasional lymphocytic or granulocytic infiltrates in the
dermis and, less frequently, the epidermis. In the hyperplastic epidermis, there
were few to numerous intracellular fungal organisms. The fungi consisted of
sporangia, 10–15 _m in diameter, which often contained 2–4 small zoospores,
approximately 2–3 _m in diameter.
DISSEMINATED PANNICULITIS IN A BOTTLENOSE DOLPHIN (TURSIOPS
TRUNCATUS) DUE TO MYCOBACTERIUM CHELONAE INFECTION

MYCOTIC PROVENTRICULITIS IN GRAY PARTRIDGES (PERDIX PERDIX) ON

TWO GAME BIRD FARMS
At necropsy, the proventriculi were swollen and hyperemic, and viscous mucus
adhered to the mucosa. Proventricular hemorrhages were commonly detected, and
one bird had proventricular rupture and peritonitis. Microscopically, mild to severe
subacute to chronic lymphoplasmacytic proventriculitis, microabscesses, necrosis,
epithelial metaplasia, disrupted koilin, ulcers, and hemorrhages were observed.

The mucosa is covered by mucin and the wall of the proventriculus is edematous.
Dilated crypt with necrotic epithelial cells and Macrorhabdus ornithogaster–like microorganisms at the base. The
epithelium is necrotic at the site of close association with microorganisms. The cellular inflammatory reaction
consists of mixed leucocytes with a few heterophils, macrophages, lymphocytes, and plasma cells. Notice a multi-
nucleate giant cell adjacent to the area of necrosis.
Journal of Zoo and Wildlife Medicine 39(4):2008
PREVALENCE OF CRYPTOSPORIDIUM INFECTION AND CHARACTERISTICS OF
OOCYST SHEDDING IN A BREEDING COLONY OF LEOPARD GECKOS
(EUBLEPHARIS ACULARIUS)

Cryptosporidium varanii (saurophilis). C. parvum and muris are not thought to

cause disease in reptiles. C. serpentis is found in snakes. Small intestine infection
is most common in Geckos, leading to lymphoplasmacytic enteritis and hyperplasia.
Infection is occasionally associated with atrophic gastritis.

TRANSIENT TYPE 2 DIABETES MELLITUS IN A RACCOON (PROCYON LOTOR)

Obesity is associated with down-regulation of insulin receptors, receptor

internalization, and reduced receptor binding affinity. This results in elevated blood
glucose, leading to either reversible glucose desensitization or irreversible
glucotoxicity, which further inhibits insulin secretion and causes hydropic
degeneration of β-cells. Intra-islet deposition of amyloid has been reported in
humans, cats, and raccoons and has been proposed as a factor related to the
development of type 2 diabetes mellitus.

EASTERN EQUINE ENCEPHALITIS IN A CAPTIVE HARBOR SEAL (PHOCA

VITULINA)

Eastern equine encephalitis virus (EEEV) is a mosquito-borne virus belonging to the

family Togaviridae, genus Alphavirus. Mammals are susceptible to the virus, but do
not produce a viremia sufficient to act as a reservoir host. Passerine birds native to
EEEV endemic regions are usually subclinically affected and are the reservoir hosts.
Histopathologic evaluation revealed severe and multifocal encephalitis with
leptomeningitis, characterized by neutrophilic infiltrates in neuropil, neuronal
necrosis, satellitosis, neuronophagia, and perivascular cuffs of lymphocytes,
macrophages, and neutrophils. Additionally there was moderate, multifocal, adrenal
cortical necrosis.

HYPERPLASTIC DERMATITIS ASSOCIATED WITH ACARIASIS IN A SIAMANG

(SYMPHALANGUS SYNDACTYLUS)

Alopecia, flaky skin, and pruritus, with trombidiiform mites identified as Psorobia
(formerly Psorergates) sp. near cercopitheci. Superficial dermal edema and
infiltration, with a low to moderate number of lymphocytes and plasma cells around
superficial capillaries (Fig. 2). These changes were associated with epidermal pits
containing ovoid, organisms with chitinous exoskeletons (Fig. 3). A diagnosis of
chronic hyperplastic dermatitis (mange) with intracorneal embedded mites was
made.
OLIGODENDROGLIOMA IN AN AFRICAN LION (PANTHERA LEO)

Persistent head tilt, seizures, progressing to ataxia. Gross necropsy findings - A

gelatinous mass in the right cerebral hemisphere extending from the frontal to the
occipital lobes. The mass was composed of polygonal cells surrounding lakes of
mucinous material. These cells had clear cytoplasm, ovoid basophilic nuclei, and
inapparent cell processes. Immunoreactivity S100 (+) and neuronspecific enolase
(+) / glial fibrillary acid protein (-), myelin basic protein (-), neurofilament triplet (-)
, Vimentin (-) , and Cytokeratin (-). All findings were consistent with an
oligodendroglioma.

INTERTHALAMIC HEMATOMA SECONDARY TO CEREBROVASCULAR

ATHEROSCLEROSIS IN AN AGED GRIZZLY BEAR (URSUS ARCTOS
HORRIBILIS) WITH PRIMARY CARDIAC SCHWANNOMA

Blood vessels had degeneration, fragmentation, and fraying of the internal elastic
lamina with prominent intimal proliferations and plaques formed by small numbers
of lipid-laden macrophages (foam cells) that were intermixed with lymphocytes and
plasma cells. Damage to endothelial cells can be mediated by a variety of stimuli
including dietary factors (i.e., oxidized low-density lipoproteins [LDLs]),
environmental factors (i.e., cigarette smoke), and intrinsic factors (i.e.,
hypertension). In response to endothelial cell injury, monocytes and lymphocytes
adhere to the areas of damage and localize to the subendothelial zone. The
macrophages are stimulated to take up lipid and foam cells that are characteristic
of the atherosclerotic plaque. The resultant activated macrophage elaborates a
wide variety of cytokines and growth factors, resulting in smooth muscle
proliferation and formation of a fibrous intimal plaque.

SARCOPTIC MANGE IN WILD RACCOON DOGS (NYCTEREUTES

PROCYONOIDES) IN KOREA

Sarcoptes scabiei is characterized by dorsoventrally flattened and round bodies,

sucker-like pulvilli borne on long nonjointed pretarsi, triangular scales and spinelike
setae on the dorsum, and three epimeres that are chitinous extensions of the coxae
of the legs. Gross lesions include erythematous macules, papules, crusts, and
alopecia. Microscopically, the lesions are associated with epidermal hyperkeratosis,
acanthosis, parakeratosis and perivascular dermatitis with mast cells, eosinophils,
and lymphocytes.

Journal of Zoo and Wildlife Medicine 40(1): 2009

MYCOBACTERIAL INFECTION IN A FAIRY BLUEBIRD (IRENA PUELLA): A
DIAGNOSTIC CONUNDRUM
Acid-fast stains negative in the liver, although PCR was positive and M. avium
complex was isolated from the liver.

PHAEOHYPHOMYCOSIS OF THE CARAPACE IN AN ALDABRA TORTOISE

(GEOCHELONE GIGANTEA)
Journal of Zoo and Wildlife Medicine 40(2):2009

Septicemia, endocarditis, and cerebral infarction due to staphylococcus

aureus in a harp seal: Septic arthritis of the right scapulohumeral joint, valvular
endocarditis with systemic bacterial thromboembolism, and infarction of the
cerebrum and myocardium. In pinnipeds, bacterial endocarditis caused by
Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae and Escherichia
coli has been described.

Investigation and diagnosis of nontuberculous mycobacteriosis in a

captive herd of aoudad (Barbary Sheep, Antelope goat): An epizootic of
nontuberculous mycobacteriosis occurred in a captive herd of aoudad. Pulmonary
mycobacteriosis, including the presence of acid-fast bacteria, were identified in two
captive aoudad (M. avium was isolated) and M. parafortuitum was isolated from a
mesenteric lymph node of a third animal and M. intracellulare was isolated within
the bronchial lymph node of a fourth aoudad.

RESPIRATORY DISEASE ASSOCIATED WITH BORDETELLA BRONCHISEPTICA

IN A HOFFMANN’S TWO-TOED SLOTH (CHOLOEPUS HOFFMANNI).
Bordetella bronchiseptica has been reported tocause respiratory infections in many
species, including cats (Felis sylvestris),3 polar bear (Ursus maritimus),8 koala
(Phascolarctos cinereus),9 seals (Phoca vitulina and Halichoerus grypus),11 sea
otter (Enhydra lutris nereis),13 and primates (Callithrix jacchus, Cercopithecus
aethiops, and Callicebus sp.).

COCCIDIOIDOMYCOSIS IN A BLACK RHINOCEROS (DICEROS BICORNIS)

A 5-yr-old female black rhinoceros (Diceros bicornis) was euthanized 11 mo after
arrival at the
Milwaukee County Zoo (Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA) from Glen Rose, Texas (USA)
for a severe progressive rear leg lameness of 6-mo duration. Gross necropsy
revealed complete rupture of the capital ligament of the left femur with synovitis
and osteomyelitis. Multifocal lymphadenopathy with chronic suppurative
lymphadenitis of the tracheobronchial, left supramammary, and iliac lymph nodes
was present. Granulomatous pneumonia with a focal abscess was also noted.
Histologically, fungal elements were seen in the lung, lymph nodes, and synovium,
and Coccidioides immitis was isolated on fungal culture. Coccidioides immitis is not
endemic to Wisconsin; therefore, the animal had to have been infected, although
asymptomatic, at the time of arrival at the Milwaukee County Zoo.

FIRST RECORD OF ENTODINIOMORPH CILIATES IN A CARNIVORE, THE

MANED WOLF (CHRYSOCYON BRACHYURUS), FROM BRAZIL
The entodiniomorph ciliates (Ciliophora: Entodiniomorphida) are endosymbiotes
widely found in the intestines of herbivorous mammals. These commensals
commonly occur in the Artiodactyla and Perissodactyla and have also been
described in the Proboscidea, Primates, Rodentia, and Diprotodontia. This study
reports the first finding of a ciliate in a member of order Carnivora, the maned wolf
(Chrysocyon brachyurus). Prevalence in fecal samples collected from free-ranging
maned wolves in Brazil was 40% (6 of 15). Fecal samples from two of four captive
individuals from the St. Louis Zoo also had the same species of ciliate. The largely
frugivorous diet of the maned wolf likely explains the occurrence of these normally
herbivore-associated endosymbiotes in a carnivore.

TULAREMIA TYPE A IN CAPTIVE BORNEAN ORANGUTANS (PONGO

PYGMAEUS PYGMAEUS)
In 2003, tularemia was suspected to be the cause of severe illness in two
orangutans (Pongo pygmaeus pygmaeus) and the cause of death in a third
orangutan at an urban zoo. Postmortem diagnosis was obtained via
immunohistochemistry and bacterial culture that revealed Francisella tularensis
type A. Tularemia was also confirmed in the two surviving orangutans via paired
serology testing. In addition, F. tularensis was identified in two wild rabbit carcasses
submitted during a die-off, several weeks prior to the tularemia outbreak in the
apes, indicating that rabbits were possibly a reservoir for tularemia within the zoo
premises.

Fig 1. Coccidiomycosis in lung of rhino Fig 2. Ciliate of Maned Wolf

intestine

ARTICULAR GOUT AND SUSPECTED PSEUDOGOUT IN A BASILISK LIZARD

(BASILICUS PLUMIFRONS) Journal of Zoo and Wildlife Medicine 40(3): 576–578, 2009

A 9-yr-old male Basilisk lizard (Basilicus plumifrons) with a history of painful and
limited mobility for approximately 4 mo, which had seemed to be more pronounced
in the front limbs, was presented for necropsy.
Gross lesions: A yellow-to-white, soft-to-semifirm nodules within the periarticular
fascia and musculature of the left and right shoulder joints, hip joints, and stifle
joints. Several other joints, including the left and right tarsi, left and right elbow
joints, and the left carpus had calcified, white material present on the articular
surfaces.
FUNGAL KERATITIS IN A GOPHER TORTOISE (GOPHERUS POLYPHEMUS)
Journal of Zoo and Wildlife Medicine 40(3): 579–582, 2009

Gross lesions: Bilateral corneal ulcerations and scarring and phthisis bulbi of the left
globe.
Histopathology: Necrotic conjunctivitis with intralesional fungal hyphae.
Etiology: Curvularia sp. and Aspergillus sp.

SIDA CARPINIFOLIA (MALVACEAE) POISONING IN FALLOW DEER (DAMA

DAMA)
Journal of Zoo and Wildlife Medicine 40(3): 583–585, 2

Clinical signs: Neurological signs characterized by muscular weakness, intention

tremors, visual and standing-up deficits, falls, and abnormal behavior and posture.
Histopathology: Swelling and multifocal cytoplasmic vacoulation in the purkinje
cells, kidneys and pancreatic cells.
Summary: Lectin histochemistry confirmed as lysosomal storage disease, α-
mannosidases. This was reported mostly in goats.
Lectin histochemistry is a useful technique to identify and to localize in cells and
tissues the terminal carbohydrate moieties of glycoproteins and glycolipids. The
specific diagnosis of some glycoprotein storage diseases was accomplished using
lectin staining patterns, and such methods of diagnosis have been attempted for
some glycolipid storage diseases.

FATAL FULMINANT HEPATITIS IN A CHIMPANZEE RECEIVING CYPROTERONE

ACETATE
Journal of Zoo and Wildlife Medicine 40(4): 799–802, 2009

Cyproterone acetate is a steroidal anti-androgen used for contraceptive purposes as

well as suppression of testosterone production; was used to determine whether
surgical castration would be likely to decrease aggressive behavior.
The liver biopsy showed a centrilobular to midzonal pattern of hepatocellular
degeneration, hemorrhage, and necrosis affecting 80% of the parenchyma. The
necrosis frequently bridged portal areas, and isolated nodules of regenerating
hepatocytes. Portal areas contained numerous proliferating bile ductules. Masson’s
trichrome stains showed little fibrosis. Studies of human cases have concluded that
toxicity is not dose dependent.

PHOTODERMATITIS AND PHOTOKERATOCONJUNCTIVITIS IN A BALL PYTHON

AND A BLUE-TONGUE SKINK
Journal of Zoo and Wildlife Medicine 40(4): 757–766, 2009

Microscopic evaluation revealed epidermal erosion and ulceration, with severe

epidermal basal cell degeneration and necrosis, and superficial dermatitis (Fig 1).
Severe bilateral ulcerative keratoconjunctivitis with bacterial colonization was noted
in the ball python (Fig2). Lamps had extremely high UV output, including very-short-
wavelength UVB, neither found in natural sunlight.