Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Diarrhea outbreak from two Cryptosporidium types in captive Hermann's
By Richter, Barbara et al.·Published in Journal of veterinary diagnostic investigation : official publication of the American Association of Veterinary Laboratory Diagnosticians, Inc·2012·Institute of Pathology and Forensic Veterinary Medicine·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Cryptosporidiosis outbreak in captive chelonians (Testudo hermanni) with identification of two Cryptosporidium genotypes.
- Species:
- reptile
Plain-English summary
A group of captive Hermann's tortoises experienced an outbreak of diarrhea linked to a parasite called Cryptosporidium. Tests showed two different types of this parasite in their feces, which can cause intestinal disease. The tortoises were treated specifically for this infection, and their diarrhea and fecal shedding stopped. However, after nine months, three tortoises had diarrhea again, suggesting they might have been reinfected or that the parasite was still in their environment.
People also search for: tortoise diarrhea treatment · Cryptosporidium in tortoises · Hermann's tortoise health issues
Abstract
An outbreak of diarrhea in an outdoor group of captive Hermann's tortoises (Testudo hermanni) was associated with fecal shedding of cryptosporidial oocysts, as determined by coproscopic and immunoassay examinations. With partial sequencing of the 18S ribosomal RNA gene, 2 different Cryptosporidium genotypes could be identified in the fecal samples. Cryptosporidium tortoise genotype has previously been found in tortoise and ophidian species, and Cryptosporidium ducismarci has been reported from a snake and a chameleon, and it has been linked to intestinal disease in tortoises. The Hermann's tortoises described were also infected with oxyurid nematodes. Treatment specific for reptilian cryptosporidiosis was administered. The clinical signs and fecal shedding ceased, but 9 months later, diarrhea and fecal shedding were seen in 3 animals again. Either the oocyst shedding was temporarily suppressed below detection limits, or the animals were reinfected by oocysts still present in the environment. At least 1 of the detected Cryptosporidium genotypes was presumed to contribute to the clinical symptoms.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22529132/