title: Hepatitis in farmed hatchling Nile crocodiles (Crocodylus niloticus) due to chlamydial infection.
abstract: An investigation into the cause of acute mortality in farmed hatchling crocodiles Crocodylus niloticus led to the isolation of chlamydia from the livers of affected animals. Prominent pathological finds were acute hepatitis with intracellular chlamydial colonies and generalized oedema. A chlamydia presumed to be C. psittaci was isolated from livers of affected hatchlings. Mortality subsided after treatment with oxytetracycline. This disease is now recognized as being a major problem on crocodile farms in Zimbabwe.
authors.affiliation: Onderstepoort Veterinary Institute, Republic of South Africa.
authors.forename: F W
authors.initials: FW
authors.lastname: Huchzermeyer
authors.forename: G H
authors.initials: GH
authors.lastname: Gerdes
authors.forename: C M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Foggin
authors.forename: K D
authors.initials: KD
authors.lastname: Huchzermeyer
authors.forename: L C
authors.initials: LC
authors.lastname: Limper
mesh_terms: D000489:Alligators and Crocodiles / Q000382:microbiology*; D000818:Animals; D002690:Chlamydia Infections / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000662:veterinary*; D002691:Chlamydophila psittaci / Q000302:isolation & purification; D006520:Hepatitis, Animal / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000628:therapy; D008854:Microscopy, Electron