Terra R. Kelly

ABSENCE OF DETECTABLE SALMONELLA CLOACAL SHEDDING IN FREE-LIVING REPTILES ON ADMISSION TO THE WILDLIFE CENTER OF VIRGINIA

Abstract Salmonellosis is an important reptile-associated zoonotic infection in the United States. Cloacal swabs were collected from reptiles admitted to the Wildlife Center of Virginia, Waynesboro, Virginia, cultured for Salmonella using Hektoen and xylose lysine deoxycholate agars, and inoculated in selenite broth. All three were incubated at 37°C for 18–24 hr. Seventy-five animals were included in the study, representing eight species, 34 eastern box turtles (Terrapene carolina carolina), 14 eastern painted turtles (Chrysemys picta picta), 14 snapping turtles (Chelydra serpentina), 6 black rat snakes (Elaphe obsoleta obsoleta), 2 redbelly turtles (Pseudemys rubriventris), 2 yellowbelly sliders (Trachemys scripta scripta), 2 eastern garter snakes (Thamnophis sirtalis sirtalis), and 1 eastern river cooter (Pseudemys concinna concinna). All cultures were negative for Salmonella spp., which is in contrast to the high prevalence of Salmonella cloacal shedding reported in captive reptiles but similar to previous reports in free-living North American reptiles. We recommend, nonetheless, practicing proper hygiene methods when handling and housing all reptiles.

Morbidity and Mortality of Red Foxes (Vulpes vulpes) and Gray Foxes (Urocyon cinereoargenteus) Admitted to the Wildlife Center of Virginia, 1993–2001

The medical records of 48 red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) and 35 gray foxes (Urocyon cinereoargenteus) examined at the Wildlife Center of Virginia (Waynesboro, Virginia, USA) from 1993 to 2001 were reviewed. The most common diagnosis in red foxes was orphaned (33%), followed by trauma (27%), undetermined diagnosis (23%), and sarcoptic mange (17%). Trauma (46%) was the most frequent cause of morbidity and mortality in gray foxes followed by orphaned (23%), undetermined (20%), toxoplasmosis (6%), presumptive canine distemper (3%), and rabies (3%). One gray fox had concurrent toxoplasmosis and presumptive canine distemper (3%). Similar diseases were detected in previous studies at a diagnostic laboratory; however in this study, trauma and orphaned animals were more common than infectious diseases. The lack of diagnostic information on some cases limited the usefulness of this study, and more emphasis should be placed on performing postmortem examinations of wildlife presented to wildlife rehabilitation centers.

Urinalysis in free-living chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes schweinfurthii) in Uganda.

weaning multisystemic wasting syndrome (PMWS). Swine Health and Production 5, 201-203 MANKERTZ, A., DOMINGO, M., FOLCH, J. M., LECANN, P., JESTIN, A., SEGALES, J., CHMIELEWICZ, B., PLANA-DURAN, J. & SOIKE, D. (2000) Characterization of PCV-2 isolates from Spain, Germany and France. Virus Research 66, 65-77 ROSELL, C., SEGALtS, J., RAMOS-VARA, J. A., FOLCH, J. M., RODRIGUEZARRIOJA, G. M., DURAN, C. O., BALASCH, M., PLANA-DURAN, J. & DOMINGO, M. (2000) Identification of porcine circovirus in tissues of pigs with porcine dermatitis and nephropathy syndrome. Veterinary Record 146, 40-43 SAMBROOK, J., FRITSCH, E. F. & MANIATIS, T. (1989) Gel electrophoresis of DNA. In Molecular Cloning: A Laboratory Manual. 2nd edn. Eds C. Nolan, M. Fergunson. New York, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press. pp 6.2-6.62 SATO, K., SHIBAHARA, T., ISHIKAWA, Y., KONDO, H., KUBO, M. & KADOTA, K. (2000) Evidence of porcine circovirus infection in pigs with wasting disease syndrome from 1985 to 1999 in Hokkaido, Japan. Journal of Veterinary Medical Science 62, 627-633 TISCHER, I., BODE, L., PETERS, D., POCIULI, S. & GERMANN, B. (1995) Distribution of antibodies to porcine circovirus in swine populations of different breeding farms. Archives ofVirology 140, 737-743

Lymphoproliferative Disorder in a Great Horned Owl (Bubo virginianus)

Abstract An adult free-ranging great horned owl (Bubo virginianus) was presented depressed and in poor body condition. Results of hematologic testing revealed severe leukocytosis and lymphocytosis, and large lymphocytes containing large eccentric nuclei and prominent nucleoli were present on a peripheral blood smear. Hepatomegaly and renomegaly were evident radiographically. The owl was treated supportively but died 9 days after presentation. At necropsy, the liver and kidneys were severely enlarged, focal yellow plaques were present on air sac membranes, and small yellow granulomas were present in the lung parenchyma. On histopathologic examination, the liver, spleen, and kidneys were infiltrated with a homogeneous population of large lymphocytes with mitotic figures, and clusters of septate fungal hyphae resembling Aspergillus species were evident in lung parenchyma. Virus isolation was negative. The diagnosis was a lymphoproliferative disorder of unknown etiology and concurrent pulmonary aspergillosis.

Phacoemulsification of bilateral cataracts in a loggerhead sea turtle (Caretta caretta)

An immature free-living loggerhead sea turtle (Caretta caretta) of unknown sex was found moribund off the coast of Wise Point, Virginia. It was suffering from cachexia and had bilateral hypermature cataracts which were treated by phacoemulsification under general anaesthesia. The surgery restored the turtle’s vision and it was returned to the wild

Lymphoid follicular cloacal inflammation associated with a novel herpesvirus in juvenile alligators (Alligator mississippiensis)

Multifocal hyperemic nodules and plaques associated with the cloacal mucosa of juvenile alligators (Alligator mississippiensis) at a public aquarium were investigated. Grossly, pale pink to dark red multifocal, circular lesions of varying degrees of severity were identified on the cloacal and, in males, phallus mucosa. Cloacal mucosa biopsies were obtained from 2 of the alligators. These samples were examined histologically and by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using consensus primers targeting a conserved region of the herpesvirus polymerase gene. Microscopically, the lesions were characterized as submucosal lymphoid follicles with hyperemia and hemorrhage. No inclusion bodies were observed. Minimal to no anisokaryosis was present, and no etiologic agents were identified. Through PCR, a band consistent in size with herpesvirus was observed. Tissues showing similar clinical, histopathologic, and PCR findings were collected from animals at an alligator farm several months later. Sequencing of the PCR amplicon resulted in a 180-base pair sequence that shared 85% sequence identity with tortoise herpesvirus-1.

Metastrongyloid Nematode (Otostrongylus circumlitus) Infection in a Stranded California Sea Lion (Zalophus californianus)— a New Host-parasite Association

A stranded yearling male California sea lion was admitted to a rehabilitation center June 2003. On presentation, the sea lion was emaciated and had diarrhea and neutrophilia. Two weeks later, the animal became anorexic, blood and mucus were observed around the oral cavity, and corneal opacity was noted in the right eye. Hematology results at that time included leukocytosis consisting of neutrophilia with a left shift, anemia, and thrombocytopenia. Despite supportive care, the sea lion died. On post mortem examination, there were multiple areas of hemorrhage scattered throughout all lung lobes, and pulmonary blood vessels were occluded by fibrin thrombi. Nematodes identified as immature forms of Otostrongylus circumlitus were found in the right ventricle and pulmonary arteries. Histologic findings in the lungs included severe suppurative and necrotizing arteritis with vascular thrombosis, interstitial pneumonia, and large areas of pulmonary hemorrhage. This report of O. circumlitus infection in a California sea lion (Zalophus californianus) might indicate a potentially new host-parasite association.

Influence of Preoperative Oxytetracycline Administration on Community Composition and Antimicrobial Susceptibility of Cloacal Bacterial Flora of Loggerhead Sea Turtle, Caretta caretta, Post-Hatchlings

ABSTRACT Cloacal cultures from loggerhead sea turtle, Caretta caretta, post-hatchlings were obtained and evaluated for bacterial flora composition and antimicrobial susceptibility before and after laparoscopic surgery with or without preoperative oxytetracycline. Eight of 16 turtles received 25 mg/kg oxytetracycline IM. An equivalent volume of saline was administered to eight control turtles. Cultures were performed in all turtles immediately prior to treatment, at one week, and at one month following treatment. Minimum inhibitory concentration of tetracycline testing was performed. Cloacal bacterial diversity was also evaluated prior to and after administration of oxytetracycline in each group. There was an apparent shift in the community composition and diversity of cloacal bacterial flora in both groups between treatment times. In the saline treated hatchlings, the cloacal bacterial species diversity was unchanged or increased following treatment, whereas the bacterial flora diversity in the oxytetracy...