Detection of mycobacteria and chlamydiae in granulomatous inflammation of reptiles: A retrospective study

G Soldati; Z H Lu; L Vaughan; Adam Polkinghorne; D R Zimmermann; J B Huder; A Pospischil

doi:10.1354/vp.41-4-388

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Detection of mycobacteria and chlamydiae in granulomatous inflammation of reptiles: A retrospective study

Journal article

Peer reviewed

Detection of mycobacteria and chlamydiae in granulomatous inflammation of reptiles: A retrospective study

G Soldati, Z H Lu, L Vaughan, Adam Polkinghorne, D R Zimmermann, J B Huder and A Pospischil

Veterinary Pathology, Vol.41(4), pp.388-397

2004

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1354/vp.41-4-388

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Abstract

chlamydia-like isolates

chlamydophila pneumoniae

granulomatous inflammation

immunohistochemistry

mycobacteria other than mycobacterium tuberculosis complex

polymerase chain reaction and sequencing

reptiles

Ziehl-Neelsen

A retrospective study on reptile tissues presenting with granulomatous inflammation was performed to detect the possible presence of mycobacteria and chlamydiae in these lesions. Ninety cases including 48 snakes, 27 chelonians, and 15 lizards were selected. Mycobacteria were detected by Ziehl-Neelsen (ZN) staining and a broad-range polymerase chain reaction (PCR) followed by DNA sequencing. To detect chlamydiae, immunohistochemistry with monoclonal antibodies against chlamydial lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and a Chlamydiales order-specific PCR and sequencing were applied. Acid-fast bacilli were found in 14 cases (15.6%) by ZN staining and in 23 cases (25.6%) by PCR. Sequence analysis revealed the presence of Mycobacteria other than Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex (MOTT). Chlamydial LPS antigen was observed within granulomas from five samples (5.6%), whereas the PCR screen revealed 58 positive cases (64.4%). Of these, 9 cases (10%) showed 98-99% similarity to Chlamydophila (Cp.) pneumoniae and 49 cases (54.4%) displayed a high similarity (88-97%) to the newly described "Chlamydia-like" microorganisms Parachlamydia acanthamoebae and Simkania negevensis. Results from this study confirm, on the one hand, that MOTT are probably the most important infectious etiology for granulomatous inflammation in reptiles. On the other hand, they indicate that chlamydia infects reptiles and that Cp. pneumoniae should be considered an etiological agent of granulomatous lesions of reptiles. Because both MOTT and Cp. pneumoniae are human pathogens, the potential of zoonotic transmission from reptiles to humans has to be considered. In contrast, the significance of Chlamydia-like isolates remains completely open, and further studies are needed to evaluate their role.

Details

Title: Detection of mycobacteria and chlamydiae in granulomatous inflammation of reptiles: A retrospective study
Authors: G Soldati (Author) - University of Zurich, Switzerland
Z H Lu (Author) - University of Zurich, Switzerland
L Vaughan (Author) - University of Zurich, Switzerland
Adam Polkinghorne (Author) - Queensland University of Technology
D R Zimmermann (Author) - University Hospital, Switzerland
J B Huder (Author) - University of Zurich, Switzerland
A Pospischil (Author) - University of Zurich, Switzerland
Publication details: Veterinary Pathology, Vol.41(4), pp.388-397
Publisher: Sage Publications Inc.
Date published: 2004
DOI: 10.1354/vp.41-4-388
ISSN: 0300-9858
Organisation Unit: University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland
Language: English
Record Identifier: 99448888602621
Output Type: Journal article

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Collaboration types: Domestic collaboration; International collaboration
Web Of Science research areas: Pathology; Veterinary Sciences

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