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Intestinal mucormycosis in a captive tiger
Andrea Cappelleri1, Valeria Grieco1, Lisa Vallone1
1Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences, University of Milan, Lodi, Italy.
Abstract:
Mucormycosis is an angioinvasive fungal infection caused by ubiquitous saprophytic fungi of the order Mucorales. In humans, the infection is generally caused by inhalation of spores or traumatic inoculation in cutaneous wounds, typically affecting immunocompromised patients. In animals, Mucorales infection is common in cattle, but is rare in the other species, including felids. No cases of mucormycosis have been reported to date in non-domestic felids, to our knowledge. We describe a case of mucormycosis in a 5-y-old female captive tiger (Panthera tigris). The affected tiger was part of a group of 9 subjects, 7 of which had serohemorrhagic nasal discharge, anorexia, and depression, followed by hemorrhagic diarrhea. Five of the tigers died and organs from one animal were sent for histologic examination, which revealed severe necrohemorrhagic enteritis, with periodic acid-Schiff- and Grocott methenamine silver-positive fungal hyphae. Mucor colonies were cultured from sawdust, which served as litter for the animals, indicating a possible source of infection through inhalation of spores and/or ingestion of contaminated sawdust. Mucormycosis is a possible differential for necrohemorrhagic enteritis in captive felids; careful storage and periodic assessment of the materials used as litter for these animals is recommended.
Insights
Mucormycosis, a fungal infection, was identified in captive tigers for the first time. Sawdust litter may have been the source, highlighting the need for careful material assessment in exotic animal care.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Mycology
- Infectious Diseases
- Zoological Medicine
Background:
- Mucormycosis is an angioinvasive fungal infection caused by Mucorales.
- While common in cattle, Mucorales infections are rare in other animal species, including felids.
- No prior reports of mucormycosis exist in non-domestic felids.
Purpose of the Study:
- To describe the first reported case of mucormycosis in a captive tiger (Panthera tigris).
- To investigate the potential source and clinical presentation of mucormycosis in a group of tigers.
Main Methods:
- Histologic examination of organs from a deceased tiger.
- Identification of fungal hyphae using Periodic Acid-Schiff and Grocott methenamine silver stains.
- Culture of Mucor colonies from sawdust litter.
Main Results:
- A 5-year-old tiger presented with symptoms including nasal discharge, anorexia, depression, and hemorrhagic diarrhea.
- Histopathology revealed severe necrohemorrhagic enteritis with fungal hyphae.
- Mucor colonies were cultured from the animal's sawdust litter, suggesting a potential infection source.
Conclusions:
- Mucormycosis is a potential differential diagnosis for necrohemorrhagic enteritis in captive felids.
- Contaminated sawdust litter is a possible source of infection via inhalation or ingestion.
- Recommends careful storage and assessment of litter materials for captive animals to prevent fungal infections.
