Laura Reisfeld

Reducing bumblefoot lesions in a group of captive Magellanic penguins (Spheniscus magellanicus) with the use of environmental enrichment

Os pinguins cativos estao predispostos a pododermatite (bumblefoot) devido ao sedentarismo, mudancas dos padroes normais de atividade, tempo prolongado de permanencia em pisos duros e abrasivos, diminuicao da natacao e tempo na agua. O enriquecimento ambiental permite a utilizacao de tecnicas imaginativas e engenhosas que visam manter os animais cativos ocupados e com uma maior diversidade de oportunidades comportamentais, sempre respeitando as necessidades etologicas da especie. O objetivo deste trabalho foi utilizar tecnicas de enriquecimento ambiental para reduzir as lesoes de pododermatite em um grupo de pinguins. Cinco individuos da especie Pinguim-de-Magalhaes (Spheniscus magellanicus) foram monitorados durante este projeto. Todos os animais foram contidos fisicamente 3 vezes por semana para a realizacao do acompanhamento do tamanho das lesoes, durante 12 semanas. Enriquecimento ambiental foi introduzido diariamente na agua, objetivando aumentar em uma hora o tempo em que os animais passavam na agua. Os resultados mostraram que, ao longo das 12 semanas, 4 animais apresentaram reducao significativa das lesoes em ambas as patas, sendo que em dois animais as lesoes desapareceram. Com isto, podemos concluir que o enriquecimento ambiental aquatico para este grupo de pinguins permitiu um maior tempo de permanencia dos animais na agua favorecendo a reducao das lesoes de bumblefoot.

Cutaneous mycobacteriosis in a captive Amazonian manatee Trichechus inunguis

An adult male Amazonian manatee Trichechus inunguis under human care presented with 3 circular cutaneous lesions on the dorsal aspect of the rostrum and between the nostrils (plenum). Initially these lesions were superficial, hypopigmented, without warmth and non-painful. Microbiological cultures of skin swabs isolated Candida sp. and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and topical treatment with antiseptic, antifungal, anti-inflammatory and antibiotic medication was instituted. This treatment strategy did not lead to any clinical improvement, and after 6 mo, the lesions progressed to a confluent abscess (5.0 × 3.0 cm) with increased temperature and obvious discomfort on palpation. An impression smear of a cutaneous biopsy was submitted for Ziehl-Neelsen staining and after detection of acid-fast bacilli, the cutaneous biopsy and a swab from the lesion were sent for histopathology, culture and sensitivity testing. After 5 d of incubation and through PCR-restriction analysis of the isolates, Mycobacterium fortuitum and M. abscessus were identified. Sensitivity testing indicated that the isolates were susceptible to ciprofloxacin and clarithromycin, and after draining of the lesion and administration of systemic antibiotic treatment, there was rapid clinical improvement. This report describes non-healing lesions in an aquatic animal and illustrates the importance of evaluating the presence of non-tuberculous mycobacteria, opportunistic pathogens which are ubiquitous in the aquatic environment, in protracted, non-responsive cases. We also highlight the importance of a correct diagnosis and treatment approach, and we review concerns that these bacteria are zoonotic agents and are frequently resistant to conventional antibiotics.

Behavioral responses of Magellanic Penguins (Spheniscus magellanicus) (Foster) to saltwater versus freshwater

The most common penguin species found along the coast of Brazil is the Magellanic Penguin (Spheniscus magellanicus). These penguins spend most of their time foraging for food in the oceans. This information is vital to the maintenance of this species in captivity. The goal of this study was to evaluate the behavioral response of a group of Magellanic Penguins (S. magellanicus) in two different conditions of water--fresh and salt. The work was divided into two phases. First, animals were kept in enclosures with access to freshwater. Then they were housed with access to saltwater. Behaviors were recorded by scan sampling per interval of time, totaling 7,200 records for each animal. The results show that the use of saltwater for this group of animals kept in captivity was more effective for increasing the time the animals spent in the water, increasing foraging behavior, stimulating swimming, and providing display of typical behaviors of the species, showing that access to a saltwater environment is an important tool in trying to provide well-being for this species in captivity.

Tuberculosis caused by Mycobacterium bovis infection in a captive-bred American bullfrog (Lithobates catesbeiana)

BackgroundTuberculosis is widely known as a progressive disease that affects endothermic animals, leading to death and/or economical losses, while mycobacterial infections in amphibians are commonly due to nontuberculous mycobacteria. To the authors’ knowledge, this report describes the first case of bovine tuberculosis in a poikilothermic animal.Case presentationAn adult female captive American bullfrog (Lithobates catesbeianus Shaw, 1802) died in a Brazilian aquarium. Multiple granulomas with acid-fast bacilli were observed in several organs. Identification of Mycobacterium bovis was accomplished by culture and PCR methods. The other animals from the same enclosure were euthanized, but no evidence of mycobacterial infection was observed.ConclusionsThe American bullfrog was introduced in several countries around the world as an alternative husbandry, and its production is purposed for zoological and aquarium collections, biomedical research, education, human consumption and pet market. The present report warns about an episode of bovine tuberculosis in an amphibian, therefore further studies are necessary to define this frog species’ role in the epidemiology of M. bovis.