Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Treatment of mycobacterial infection in an Eastern Long-neck turtle
By Doneley, Rjt·Published in Australian veterinary journal·2021·School of Veterinary Science, Australia·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Treatment of a mycobacterial infection in an Eastern Long-neck turtle (Chelodina longicollis).
- Species:
- reptile
Plain-English summary
A Eastern Long-neck turtle was brought in with an infection in its right foot that was caused by mycobacteria, which are bacteria that can be tricky to diagnose. The vet used a biopsy, culture, and PCR testing to confirm the infection. The turtle was treated with two antibiotics, clarithromycin and rifampicin, taken orally for nine months. Thankfully, this long treatment successfully cleared up the infection, allowing the turtle to recover.
People also search for: turtle foot infection treatment · mycobacterial infection in turtles · Eastern Long-neck turtle care
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Mycobacterial infections are uncommonly diagnosed in reptiles. These infections are often systemic, chronic, and well advanced before presentation and diagnosis. Turtles, both marine and freshwater, appear to have a higher prevalence of the disease than other reptiles, perhaps because of their aquatic environment. CASE REPORT: An Eastern Long-neck turtle (Chelodina longicollis) was diagnosed with an apparently localised mycobacterial infection in the right foot. Biopsy, culture and PCR were used to make the diagnosis. Treatment with clarithromycin and rifampicin given orally for 9 months appeared to successfully resolve the infection. CONCLUSION: Antemortem diagnosis is difficult although molecular diagnostic techniques are improving the rates of diagnosis. Treatment of mycobacteria is lengthy, difficult and challenging to the patient, the owner and the veterinarian. For this reason, and because of the potential for zoonotic infection, it is infrequently undertaken.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34341989/