title: Cutaneous and systemic mycoses from infection with Lecanicillium spp. in captive Guthega skinks (Liopholis guthega).
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Guthega skinks have been listed as critically endangered and are considered particularly vulnerable to extinction because of their isolation and restricted distribution. There is no information on their captive husbandry, or the diseases that affect them.
  
  
  METHODS
  Cutaneous and systemic mycosis from infection with Lecanicillium spp. was diagnosed in a captive colony of Guthega skinks (Liopholis guthega). Infection resulted in the death of five lizards. Diagnosis of infection was confirmed using a combination of histopathology, fungal culture and DNA sequencing from all affected animals. An additional four similarly affected individuals were successfully treated with a combination of voriconazole (10 mg/kg PO once daily) and shallow baths of benzalkonium chloride and polyhexamethylene biguanide hydrochloride (F10) (1 : 250, 20 min once daily). This is the first report of Lecanicillium spp. infection in reptiles.
authors.affiliation: Australian Wildlife Health Centre, Healesville Sanctuary, Zoos Victoria, Healesville, Victoria, 3777, Australia.
authors.forename: T F
authors.initials: TF
authors.lastname: Scheelings
authors.affiliation: Gribbles Veterinary Pathology, Clayton, Victoria, Australia.
authors.forename: E C
authors.initials: EC
authors.lastname: Dobson
authors.affiliation: Gribbles Veterinary Pathology, Clayton, Victoria, Australia.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Hooper
authors.affiliation: Australian Wildlife Health Centre, Healesville Sanctuary, Zoos Victoria, Healesville, Victoria, 3777, Australia.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Eden
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000891:Anti-Infective Agents, Local / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000935:Antifungal Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001344:Autopsy / Q000662:veterinary; D001548:Benzalkonium Compounds / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001645:Biguanides / Q000627:therapeutic use; D056727:Endangered Species; D005260:Female; D008116:Lizards; D008297:Male; D009181:Mycoses / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000401:mortality / Q000662:veterinary*; D017422:Sequence Analysis, DNA / Q000662:veterinary; D014739:Victoria; D065819:Voriconazole / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D000891:Anti-Infective Agents, Local; D000935:Antifungal Agents; D001548:Benzalkonium Compounds; D001645:Biguanides; D065819:Voriconazole
keywords: Lecanicillium spp; Liopholis guthega; dermatitis; mycosis; reptiles