Pathologic changes in lizards (Agama agama) experimentally infected with Dermatophilus congolensis

Captive laboratory-held lizards (Agama agama) experimentally inoculated with Dermatophilus congolensis by subcutaneous, intramuscular and intraperitoneal routes developed pyogranulomatous and necrotic lesions at and around the sites of inoculation. D. congolensis was consistently cultured from the lesions even at 75 days post inoculation. Histopathologic examination of selected organs and tissues showed granulomatous caseous abscesses in the dermis, subcutaneous tissue and liver, edema of the dermis and widespread muscular degeneration and necrosis. D. congolensis organisms were associated with these lesions. No lesions or organisms were seen in the epidermis of the skin.