Cutaneous atypical mycobacteriosis in a clouded leopard (Neofelis nebulosa).
A 16-yr-old male clouded leopard (Neofelis nebulosa) was presented for lethargy and anorexia. A cutaneous abdominal mass extending from the pubis to just caudal to the xiphoid process was present. A biopsy revealed histologic lesions consistent with an atypical mycobacterial infection consisting of diffuse, severe, pyogranulomatous dermatitis and panniculitis, with clear vacuoles and 3-5 microm, intravacuolar, faintly eosinophilic, filamentous bacilli that stained positively with FiteFaraco modified acid-fast stain. The clouded leopard had biochemical findings suggestive of chronic renal failure and euthanasia was elected. Histological evaluation of tissues collected at postmortem examination revealed multicentric B-cell lymphoma involving the oral cavity, liver, spleen, and multiple lymph nodes, bilateral testicular seminomas, thyroid follicular cell adenoma, thyroid C cell adenoma, and biliary cystadenomas. Bacterial culture and molecular sequencing identified the causative agent of the cutaneous abdominal mass as belonging to the Mycobacterium fortuitum group.
San Antonio Zoo, 3903 North St. Mary's Street, San Antonio, Texas 78212, USA. shannon.cerveny@sazoo.org
Shannon N S
SN
Cerveny
Michelle E
ME
Thompson
Sarah M
SM
Corner
Amy K
AK
Swinford
Rob L
RL
Coke
D000818:Animals; D045989:Felidae; D008297:Male; D009165:Mycobacterium Infections, Nontuberculous / Q000382:microbiology / Q000473:pathology / Q000662:veterinary*; D019907:Mycobacterium fortuitum; D017192:Skin Diseases, Bacterial / Q000382:microbiology / Q000473:pathology / Q000662:veterinary*