A PARTICULAR CASE OF OSTEOMYELITIS CAUSED BY SALMONELLA ENTERICA
HOUTENAE IN POGONA VITTICEPS
Ivano Antonio Ciraci, DVM, Elena Bert, DVM, Patrizia Robino, DVM, Clara Tramuta, Patrizia
Nebbia, DVM, Giovanni Lombardi DVM, Chiara Briola DVM, Carlos Sotos DVM
Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Turin, Grugliasco, Turin, Italy Introduction
The increase of the number of reptiles as pets leads nowadays to an intensification of different typical pathologies find during the clinical practice. Salmonellosis is one of the most common among these. Salmonella spp. is routinely isolated from apparently healthy reptiles, but can also cause significant pathology, Different papers can be found in literature about lesions caused by Salmonella in reptiles (De Souza .et al., 2014; Di Girolamo et al.,2014;). A particular subspecies, Salmonella enterica subsp. houtenae, was isolated in reptiles from osteomyelitis (Clancy.et al.,2016), and in human samples too (Amal Rashad Nimir et al.,2011;Ma JS et al.,2003; Tabarani.et .al.,2009). This case report describe the isolation of S.enterica subsp. houtenae from osteomyelitis lesions in a bearded dragon (Pogona vitticeps).
Materials and Methods
A four months - old bearded dragon (Pogona vitticeps), was evaluated following presumed trauma on the forearm. The animal was housed indoor, in a terrarium, with UVB lamp, good diet and living with two bearded dragons. Physical examination revealed a swelling of the right forearm without symptoms. Radiograph and CT scan exams was performed and a fine -needle-aspiration of the lesion under anesthesia was performed too. The sample obtained was submitted for microbiological analysis and antimicrobial susceptibility test (disk diffusion method), according to the European Committee on Antimicrobial
Susceptibility Testing criteria guidelines (http://www.EUCAST.org). Identification of isolate obtained was carried out by commercial tests (BBL crystal ™ identification systems enteric/nonfermenter id kit)
and confirmed by
16S rDNA sequence analysis. Results
A rounded enlargment of the radius was observed on radiograph and CT scan exam. A similar spynal lesion was find too. Presence of material collected for microbiological exams. Salmonella enterica subsp. houtenae was identified and the strain was susceptibile to fluoroquinolones. The subject received enrofloxacin 5mg/Kg SID for 15 days. On follow-up radiograph 15 days later, the bone lesion appeared increased in radiodensity. The patient was in good conditions without clinical signs.
Conclusions
The aim of this case report is to describe the connection beetween an ostemyelitis lesion and the presence of Salmonella enterica subsp. houtenae in Pogona vitticeps. The isolation of this subspecies of Salmonella in human, when lived in close contact with reptiles, is described in literature, revealing the importance of this pathogen in public health.
Clancy et al.,2016, - Management of osteomyelitis caused by Salmonella enterica subsp.Houtenae in Taylor’s Cantil (Agkistrodon Bilineatus Taylori ) using amikacin delivered via osmotic pump
Di Girolamo et al.,2014 - Computed tomography-guided bone biopsies for evaluation of proliferative vertebral lesion in two boa constrictors (Boa constrictor imperator)
De Suoza et al.,2014 – Osteomyelitis caused by Salmonella enterica serovar Derby in Boa constrictor Amal Rashad Nimir et al.,2011-Salmonella meningitis in a paedriatic patient caused by Salmonella enterica serotype Houtenae
MaJS et al.,2003- Brain abscess caused by Salmonella enterica subspecies Houtenae in a patient with chronic granulomatous disease
Tabarani et al.,2014- Empyema of preexisting subdural haemorrhage caused by a rare Salmonella species after exposure to Bearded dragon in a foster home
