Aerobna mikroflora čovječjih ribica (Proteus anguinus) s prirodnih staništa i onih poplavama izbačenih na površinu u Hrvatskoj

Proteus anguinus (olm) is an amphibian endemic to underground cave systems of the Dinaric karst of Central Europe, adapted to a life in complete darkness. Recent studies have demonstrated the global decline of amphibians due to poorly understood microbiological diseases, emphasizing just how little is known about the natural microflora of amphibians. Not much is known about the olm’s microbiota in their cave habitats, and nothing is known about the microbiology of animals washed to the surface. This observational study describes the microbiological analysis of the skin, cloaca and oral cavity of six olms collected from their cave habitats, and 16 collected after being washed out by flows from two springs, to learn more about the olm’s normal microbiota and possible changes after contact with the different environmental conditions on the surface. Standard microbiological procedures, MALDI-TOF and Real-Time PCR were used for microbiological species identification. All animals tested negative for Ranavirus, Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis, Batrachochytrium salamandrivorans and Chlamydia spp. The most abundant fungi isolated were Penicillium spp. and Cladosporium spp. The washed out animals showed a higher diversity of bacterial flora than those from cave habitats, with Acinetobacter johnsonii, Aeromonas hydrophila, Bacillus spp. and Janthinobacterium lividum as the most frequently identified isolates.Proteus anguinus (čovječja ribica) endemski je vodozemac podzemnih voda Dinarskog krša središnje Europe, prilagođen životu u potpunoj tami. Novija su istraživanja pokazala globalno smanjenje populacije vodozemaca, prvenstveno zbog nedovoljno istraženih bolesti, ističući manjkavo poznavanje mikroflore vodozemaca. Ne zna se mnogo ni o mikroflori čovječjih ribica s njihovih prirodnih staniša, a podataka o mikrobiologiji jedinki poplavama izbačenih na površinu uopće nema. Ovim opservacijskim istraživanjem dobiveni su rezultati mikrobiološke analize kože, kloake i usne šupljine šest čovječjih ribica s njihovih prirodnih staništa, te 16 jedinki prikupljenih nakon što su poplavama izbačene na površinu iz dvaju izvora. Željelo se saznati više o normalnoj mikroflori čovječjih ribica i o mogućim promjenama mikroflore nakon dodira životinja s različitim vanjskim utjecajima na površini. Identifikacija mikroba obavljena je standardnim mikrobiološkim metodama, te tehnikama MALDI-TOF i Real-Time PCR. Ni u jedne životinje nisu izolirani Ranavirus, Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis, Batrachochytrium salamandrivorans ni Chlamydia spp. Među gljivicama, najzastupljenije su bile Penicillium spp. i Cladosporium spp. U životinja izbačenih na površinu bakterijska je flora bila znatno raznolikija negoli u onih s prirodnih staništa, pri čemu su najzastupljeniji izolati bili Acinetobacter johnsonii, Aeromonas hydrophila, Bacillus spp. i Janthinobacterium lividum

Babies and bearded dragons: sudden increase in reptile-associated Salmonella enterica serovar Tennessee infections, Germany 2008

Introduction: In 2008 a marked increase in Salmonella enterica serovar Tennessee infections in infants occurred in Germany. In March and April 2008, eight cases were notified compared to a median of 0–1 cases in 2001–2006. Materials and Methods: We carried out an investigation including a case–control study to identify the source of infection. A patient was a chil

Occurrence of health-compromising protozoan and helminth infections in tortoises kept as pet animals in Germany

Abstract Background Exotic reptiles such as tortoises, have become increasingly common domestic pets worldwide and are known to host different gastrointestinal parasites. Some of these parasites bear zoonotic potential. In the present survey, we parasitologically examined tortoise faecal samples (n = 1005) from 19 different species held as pets in private German households and German zoological gardens. Methods Saline faecal smears were used to generate prevalence data for potentially health-compromising gastrointestinal parasites. In addition, we performed complete parasitological dissections of dead tortoises (n = 49) to estimate endoparasite burdens precisely. Results Analysed tortoise faecal samples contained a broad spectrum of endoparasites. We detected ten taxa of endoparasites; oxyurid nematodes (e.g. Tachygonetria spp.) were the most prevalent parasites in faecal samples (43.18%), followed by ascarids (Angusticaecum spp.) (0.01%), Hexamita spp. (0.007%), Balantidium spp. (0.007%), trichomonads (0.004%), Strongyloides spp. (0.003%), Entamoeba spp. (0.005%), Hartmanella spp. (0.001%), Blastocystis spp. (0.002%), heterakids (0.001%) and Trimitus spp. (0.001%). Additionally, we investigated dead tortoise individuals (n = 49; of 10 different species) for aetiological diagnosis and estimation of endoparasite burden. Of these individuals, 38 (77.6%) were infected with parasites and 14 (28.6%) of them died most probably due to severe parasitic infection. Oxyurid infections correlated positively with calcium deficiency and metabolic bone disease (MBD) as well as nephrosis/nephritis, mainly occurring in juvenile tortoises (< 5 years of age). Conclusions The saline faecal smear technique proved to be efficient in detecting different metazoan and protozoan parasite stages in tortoise faeces. The prevalence of oxyurid infections was particularly high. In combination with pathological findings in clinical oxyuridosis obtained from necropsied animals, our findings call for further, detailed investigations on pathogenesis and immunology of oxyurids in pet reptiles. Coprological analyses for parasite detection should be mandatory before tortoises are transferred to a new owner, animal group, or public and private enclosures such as zoos. We advocate for regular health screenings in pet tortoises and, if parasitic infections are diagnosed, adequate medication or alternative hygiene management should be considered to improve and maintain individual and population health

Additional file 1: of Occurrence of health-compromising protozoan and helminth infections in tortoises kept as pet animals in Germany

Table S1. Data obtained from necropsies and faecal samples such as date of receive, post code and information collected from pet owners such as age, husbandry conditions, gender, length, weight, species and diagnosed parasites. (XLSX 394 kb

Additional file 2: of Occurrence of health-compromising protozoan and helminth infections in tortoises kept as pet animals in Germany

Table S2. Isolated bacteria in pet tortoises from Germany; origin and species of tortoises regarding to the infestation with potentially health-critical endoparasites, performed microbiology and aetilogical death reason/ reported clinical signs. (DOCX 18 kb

Stress-related changes in leukocyte profiles and telomere shortening in the shortest-lived tetrapod, Furcifer labordi

Abstract Background Life history theory predicts that during the lifespan of an organism, resources are allocated to either growth, somatic maintenance or reproduction. Resource allocation trade-offs determine the evolution and ecology of different life history strategies and define an organisms’ position along a fast–slow continuum in interspecific comparisons. Labord’s chameleon (Furcifer labordi) from the seasonal dry forests of Madagascar is the tetrapod species with the shortest reported lifespan (4–9 months). Previous investigations revealed that their lifespan is to some degree dependent on environmental factors, such as the amount of rainfall and the length of the vegetation period. However, the intrinsic mechanisms shaping such a fast life history remain unknown. Environmental stressors are known to increase the secretion of glucocorticoids in other vertebrates, which, in turn, can shorten telomeres via oxidative stress. To investigate to what extent age-related changes in these molecular and cellular mechanisms contribute to the relatively short lifetime of F. labordi, we assessed the effects of stressors indirectly via leukocyte profiles (H/L ratio) and quantified relative telomere length from blood samples in a wild population in Kirindy Forest. We compared our findings with the sympatric, but longer-lived sister species F. cf. nicosiai, which exhibit the same annual timing of reproductive events, and with wild-caught F. labordi that were singly housed under ambient conditions. Results We found that H/L ratios were consistently higher in wild F. labordi compared to F. cf. nicosiai. Moreover, F. labordi already exhibited relatively short telomeres during the mating season when they were 3–4 months old, and telomeres further shortened during their post-reproductive lives. At the beginning of their active season, telomere length was relatively longer in F. cf. nicosiai, but undergoing rapid shortening towards the southern winter, when both species gradually die off. Captive F. labordi showed comparatively longer lifespans and lower H/L ratios than their wild counterparts. Conclusion We suggest that environmental stress and the corresponding accelerated telomere attrition have profound effects on the lifespan of F. labordi in the wild, and identify physiological mechanisms potentially driving their relatively early senescence and mortality

Babies and Bearded Dragons: Sudden Increase in Reptile-Associated Salmonella enterica

Introduction: In 2008 a marked increase in Salmonella enterica serovar Tennessee infections in infants occurred in Germany. In March and April 2008, eight cases were notified compared to a median of 0–1 cases in 2001–2006. Materials and Methods: We carried out an investigation including a case–control study to identify the source of infection. A patient was a chil

First detection of the emerging fungal pathogen Batrachochytrium salamandrivorans in Germany

The emerging infectious disease chytridiomycosis is one of the major factors triggering global amphibian declines. A recently discovered species of chytrid fungus, Batrachochytrium salamandrivorans (Bsal), likely originated in East Asia, has led to massive declines in populations of fire salamanders (Salamandra salamandra) after its apparent introduction to the Netherlands and Belgium. Here, we report the first detection of this pathogen in Germany where it caused mass mortality of fire salamanders in a captive collection. Salamanders from this collection showed an almost 100% prevalence of infection with Bsal. Supposed Bsal-induced mortality occurred in multiple Salamandra species (S. salamandra, S. algira, S. corsica, and S. infraimmaculata), while Bsal infection was confirmed in nine subspecies of S. salamandra and in S. algira. Our study indicates that this pathogen can potentially infect all fire salamander species and subspecies. If Bsal spreads from captive collections to wild populations, then a similar devastating effect associated with high mortality should be expected

Monitoring health and reproductive status of olms (<i>Proteus anguinus</i>) by ultrasound

<div><p>The olm (<i>Proteus anguinus</i>) is a troglomorphic, neotenous amphibian with extraordinary life expectancy and unique adaptations that deserve further investigation. A low reproductive rate and habitat decline render it threatened by extinction. Establishing captive populations for maintenance and artificial breeding may one day become crucial to the species. Longitudinal, <i>in-vivo</i> assessment of inner organs is invaluable to our understanding of reproductive physiology, health, and behavior. Using ultrasound, we measured heart rate and assessed health and reproductive status of 13 captive olms at Zagreb Zoo. Heart rate averaged 42.9 ± 4.6 bpm (32–55 bpm), as determined via pulsed-wave Doppler at 4–12 MHz. By using frequencies of up to 70 MHz (ultrasound biomicroscopy), inner organs were visualized in detail. Assessment of the gastrointestinal tract provided insights into feeding status and digestive processes. Several subclinical pathologies were detected, including biliary sludge, subcutaneous edema, ascites, and skin lesions. Detection of skin lesions by ultrasound was more sensitive than visual adspection. Olms with ultrasonographically detected skin lesions tested positive for <i>Saprolegnia</i> and were treated. Three of the four affected individuals survived and subsequently tested negative for <i>Saprolegnia</i>. Sex was reliably determined; only one individual proved male. The reason for this extreme female-biased sex-ratio remains unknown. However, as most of the individuals were flushed from the caves by strong currents in spring, the sample may not be representative of natural populations. In female olms, different stages of ovarian follicular development were observed with diameters ranging between 0.1 and 1.1 mm. Results were confirmed by comparing ultrasound, necropsy, and histological findings of one dead specimen. In summary, ultrasound proved a valuable tool to support conservation and captive breeding programs by allowing non-invasive assessment of physiological parameters, clinical condition, and reproductive status in olms.</p></div