Pasteurellosis in a spiny-tailed iguana (Ctenosaura pectinata)

Area of Science:

• Veterinary Pathology
• Herpetology
• Microbiology

Background:

• Pasteurellosis is a bacterial infection that can affect various animal species.
• Reptiles, particularly lizards, can be susceptible to bacterial pathogens.
• Limited information exists on Pasteurellaceae infections in spiny-tailed iguanas.

Purpose of the Study:

• To report the first fatal case of pasteurellosis in a spiny-tailed iguana.
• To identify and characterize the causative bacterial agent.
• To describe the pathological findings associated with the infection.

Main Methods:

• Necropsy and histopathological examination of the affected iguana.
• Bacterial isolation and identification from various organs.
• Phylogenetic analysis of the isolated strain.

Main Results:

• A 5-year-old male spiny-tailed iguana presented with severe multifocal bacterial granulomatous myocarditis and pneumonia.
• Congestive hepatomegaly and ascites were associated with cardiac lesions.
• Bacterial proliferation was observed in the heart, lungs, and liver, indicating hematogenous spread.
• A novel Pasteurellaceae strain (P25039), related to Pasteurella testudinis, was isolated.

Conclusions:

• This case represents the first fatal pasteurellosis in a lizard caused by a probable novel Pasteurellaceae strain.
• The findings highlight the potential for Pasteurellaceae to cause severe disease in reptiles.
• Further research is needed to understand the pathogenicity and prevalence of this novel strain in lizard populations.