Review of bacterial and fungal culture and sensitivity results from reptilian samples submitted to a UK laboratory

Reptiles are increasingly kept as pets in the UK and the majority of animals presented for veterinary attention have conditions with a bacterial basis, either as a primary infection or secondary to husbandry deficiencies. Culture and sensitivity tests can provide useful information for selecting treatment protocols, but the lack of published data reviewing the normal reptilian microflora means interpretation of results is subjective. This study publishes the results of culture and sensitivity results from all reptilian samples provided to a commercial pathology laboratory over a 24-month period and compares these data with the published literature to assist clinicians to determine appropriate treatment protocols. Results provided a wide range of cultured organisms, although trends were seen for varying anatomical locations, species and time of year. In addition, antibiotic sensitivity revealed some concerning trends.     

Vaginal isolation of beta‐haemolytic Streptococcus from bitches with and without neonatal deaths in the litters

The aim of the study was to identify beta‐haemolytic streptococci in the vagina of bitches who had delivered healthy litters and bitches who had delivered litters in which neonatal deaths occurred. Fifty‐one bitches divided into two groups were used. Group 1 (G1) included 28 bitches that had delivered healthy litters and group 2 (G2) included 23 bitches that had delivered puppies who died in the neonatal period. Two vaginal samples were taken, one in proestrus and the other at the end of gestation (EG). Beta‐haemolytic Streptococcus (BS) was isolated from 16 bitches (57%) in G1 and from 21 bitches (91%) in G2. The bacteriological cultures, serological tests (Streptex^®) and PCR assay allowed identification of Streptococcus canis and Streptococcus dysgalactiae in G1 and G2. Ultramicroscopic studies allowed the observation of M Protein and capsules in strains of S. dysgalactiae and S. canis in G1 and G2. The S. canis strains isolated from G2 showed thicker capsules than S. canis strains isolated from G1 (234 ± 24.2 vs 151.23 ± 28.93 nm; p < .001.). No differences were observed in capsule thickness between strains of S. dysgalactiae isolated from G1 and G2 (210 ± 13.54 vs 211.66 ± 19.67 nm; p > .70). All strains of beta‐haemolytic Streptococcus isolated were penicillin sensitive. Penicillin was administered from EG to 5 days post‐partum in 10 G2 females with isolation of BS (G2A). Saline solution was administered in eleven G2 females with isolation of BS (G2B). Ninety per cent of the puppies survived in G2A and 25% survived in G2B. Our results suggest BS is involved in canine neonatal deaths.     

In this issue – October 2010

Computed tomography diagnosis of brain infarction in dogs · Tibial tuberosity advancement in canine stifles · Holter monitoring in dogs with mitral valve disease · Staggers in horses grazing paspalum infected with Claviceps paspali · Distal luxation of the patella in a horse · Escherichia coli and Salmonella serotypes in sheep at slaughter · Alzheimer type II astrocytes in the brains of pigs with salt poisoning · Classification of infectious bronchitis viruses in poultry field specimens · Mortality events in sea-caged yellowtail kingfish