Occurrence of fruiting structures allows determination of Purpureocillium lilacinum as an inciting agent of pleuritis and pneumonia in a loggerhead sea turtle (Caretta caretta) by histopathologic correlation to culture.
Purpureocillium lilacinum and Beauveria bassiana were isolated from lung sampled at necropsy of a 12 year-old female loggerhead sea turtle (Caretta caretta) that had displayed abnormal buoyancy. Histopathologic evaluation revealed pleuritis and pneumonia with non-melanized, septate hyphae and fruiting structures identical to those of P. lilacinum. This case emphasizes the importance of a histological correlate to fungal culture when environmental fungi are isolated and demonstrates the infrequent phenomenon of fruiting or conidial production in tissue.
Connecticut Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory, Department of Pathobiology and Veterinary Science, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT 06269-3089, USA.
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Schumacher
The Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk, Norwalk, CT 06854, USA.
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B
Mangold
The Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk, Norwalk, CT 06854, USA.
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Lenzycki
Connecticut Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory, Department of Pathobiology and Veterinary Science, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT 06269-3089, USA.
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Hinckley
Fungus Testing Laboratory, Department of Pathology, The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX 78229-3900, USA.
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DA
Sutton
Connecticut Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory, Department of Pathobiology and Veterinary Science, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT 06269-3089, USA.
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Frasca
Caretta caretta; Fruiting body; Histopathology; Pneumonia; Purpureocillium lilacinum; Turtle