Deep fungal dermatitis in three inland bearded dragons (Pogona vitticeps) caused by the Chrysosporium anamorph of Nannizziopsis vriesii

Michelle R. Bowman, Jean A. Paré, Lynne Sigler, John P. Naeser, Kurt K. Sladky, Chris S. Hanley, Peter Helmer, Lynette A. Phillips, Alexandra Brower, Robert Porter

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

71 Scopus citations

Abstract

The Chrysosporium anamorph of Nannizziopsis vriesii (CANV), a keratinophilic fungus that naturally and experimentally causes severe and often fatal dermatitis in multiple reptile species, was isolated in pure culture from skin samples of three inland bearded dragons (Pogona vitticeps) with deep granulomatous dermatomycosis. The first animal presented with a focal maxillary swelling involving the skin and gingiva. This lizard died while undergoing itraconazole and topical miconazole therapy. The second presented with focally extensive discoloration and thickening of the skin of the ventrum and was euthanized after 10 weeks of itraconazole therapy. A third lizard presented with hyperkeratotic exudative dermatitis on a markedly swollen forelimb. Amputation and itraconazole therapy resulted in a clinical cure. Histopathology of tissue biopsies in all cases demonstrated granulomatous dermatitis with intralesional hyphae morphologically consistent with those produced by the CANV. The second lizard also had granulomatous hepatitis with intralesional hyphae. Evidence in this report suggests that the CANV is the etiologic agent of an emerging condition in captive bearded dragons that has been called 'yellow fungus disease'.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)371-376
Number of pages6
JournalMedical mycology
Volume45
Issue number4
DOIs
StatePublished - Jun 2007

Bibliographical note

Funding Information:
The authors thank Ann Stewart, from the University of Wisconsin, for technical assistance. Funding from the Natural Sciences Engineering Research Council of Canada to L. Sigler is gratefully acknowledged.

Keywords

  • Chrysosporium anamorph of Nannizziopsis vriesii
  • Dermatitis
  • Inland bearded dragons
  • Yellow fungus disease

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