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Oral Abscess Caused by Chryseobacterium indologenes in Ball Python (Python regius); A Case Report
Iradj Ashrafi Tamai1, Babak Pakbin2, Zahra Ziafati Kafi1
1Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tehran, Tehran 1417466191, Iran.
Abstract:
Chryseobacterium indologenes is an opportunistic pathogen isolated from human infections and, rarely, from some aquatic animals. A 3-year-old male ball python (Python regius) was admitted to the veterinary clinic by a pet owner because of acute respiratory and swallowing failure. During physical examinations, oral secretions and abscesses were observed in the mouth cavity and throat of the animal. After microbiological analysis including isolation, identification, and 16s rRNA sequencing, C. indologenes was detected as the main cause of the oral abscess in this case. Phylogenetic relatedness analysis showed a close relationship between this isolate and other strains isolated from human infections. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing revealed that the isolate was multi-drug resistant. However, it was very sensitive to minocycline, ceftazidime, and tetracycline. The patient was treated by antibiotic therapy and completely recovered after two weeks. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first incidence of C. indologenes in an oral abscess in a ball python. As a result we would consider this organism as an opportunistic animal pathogen with zoonotic potentiality.
Insights
Chryseobacterium indologenes, a bacterium, caused an oral abscess in a ball python. This opportunistic pathogen, rarely seen in animals, highlights potential zoonotic risks and the need for careful antimicrobial selection.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Microbiology
- Herpetology
- Zoonotic Disease Research
Background:
- Chryseobacterium indologenes is recognized as an opportunistic pathogen primarily associated with human infections.
- While occasionally found in aquatic animals, its role in reptilian pathology remains largely unexplored.
Observation:
- A 3-year-old male ball python presented with acute respiratory and swallowing failure, exhibiting oral secretions and abscesses.
- Microbiological analysis, including 16S rRNA sequencing, identified Chryseobacterium indologenes as the causative agent of the oral abscess.
Findings:
- Phylogenetic analysis revealed the ball python isolate is closely related to human strains of C. indologenes.
- The isolate demonstrated multi-drug resistance but remained susceptible to minocycline, ceftazidime, and tetracycline.
- The python recovered fully after two weeks of targeted antibiotic therapy.
Implications:
- This case represents the first documented instance of Chryseobacterium indologenes causing an oral abscess in a ball python.
- The findings suggest C. indologenes should be considered an opportunistic animal pathogen with potential zoonotic implications.
- This emphasizes the importance of considering C. indologenes in reptilian oral infections and its potential transmission to humans.
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