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Escherichia Coli Septicemia Concurrent with Mycotic Infection in Captive Salt Water Crocodiles in Bangladesh

Sajeda Sultana
Departments of Pathology and Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Science,Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh-2202, Bangladesh

Hee-Jong Song
Korea Zoonoses Research Institute, Chonbuk National University, Jeonju 561-756, Korea.

Md. Siddiqur Rahman
Departments of Pathology and Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Science,Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh-2202, Bangladesh

Abu S. M. Arif
Reptiles Farm Limited, Mymensingh 2202, Bangladesh

M. G. Haider
Departments of Pathology and Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Science,Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh-2202, Bangladesh

Sheik M. Rahman
Departments of Pathology and Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Science,Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh-2202, Bangladesh

Shib S. Saha
Departments of Pathology and Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Science,Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh-2202, Bangladesh

Emdadul H. Chowdhury
Departments of Pathology and Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Science,Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh-2202, Bangladesh

R. Parvin
Departments of Pathology and Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Science,Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh-2202, Bangladesh

Abstract/ Executive Summary:

Crocodile farms are getting popular in Bangladesh in an economic point of view. In one of the farms, some crocodiles were found sick and three of them died between May and July in 2006. This investigation was performed to diagnose the cause of the death. Routine postmortem examination was conducted. Samples were collected in 10% neutral buffered formalin for histopathology and in falcon tube for microbiological study. Additional swabs were collected in nutrient broth. Histopathological and microbiological studies were conducted using routine procedures. In addition Giemsa, Gram and PAS stains were performed to detect the organism in tissues. Grossly, esophagus, trachea, lungs, liver, spleen, heart and kidney were congested. Intestine, rectum and colon were hemorrhagic. Clay colored material was found in colo-rectum. Purulent exudates in lungs and thick and cloudy pericardial fluid in pericardial sac were found. Histologically, multifocal granulomatous inflammation was evident in lung, liver, kidney, intestine and colon with bacterial colonies, fungal spores and hyphae. These bacteria were appeared as Gram negative. Fungal hyphae and spores were detected in liver, lungs and colon by using PAS stain. Bacteriologically, E. coli were isolated from lungs exudates, pericardial fluids and intestinal fluids. Therefore, it can be concluded that 3 crocodiles died due to E. coli septicemia concurrent with mycotic infection.

Keywords: Captive salt water crocodile, E. coli septicemia, Fatal, Mycotic infection

Location: Crocodile farms in Bangladesh

Start Date: 01-05-2006

End Date: 31-07-2006

Program Area: Pest Management

Commodity: Crocodile

Objectives:

To determine the Escherichia coli septicemia concurrent with mycotic infection in captive salt water crocodiles in Bangladesh

Methodology:

Reptiles Farm Limited is the only crocodile farm in Bangladesh. These crocodiles were imported from Malaysia on December in 2004. Sixty crocodiles were female and 14 were male. These crocodiles were very aggressive in nature. In reptiles farm, the number of pond was 14 and the temperature of water was 29 - 33^oC. The affected crocodiles were gradually became emaciated, food intake was less, gasping, dyspnea and were reluctant to move. Necrotic muscle around the left stifle joint and right hip joint, superficial to deep biting wound in neck region, tail region, semisolid mucoso-nasal discharge and loud respiratory sound were observed. The wounds smelled putrid odor and were washed with savlon and povidon iodine and treated with oxytetetracycline, gentamicin, ivermectin, metronidazole, ceftriaxone, vitamin B and vitamin C. The affected crocodiles became moribund and died. Routine necropsy was done and lesions were recorded. Tissue samples from two crocodiles were collected by the veterinarian of the Reptiles Farm Limited for histopathological diagnosis. On the third occasion, we did the post mortem examination. Carcasses were opened along the mid ventral line, viscera removed and examined grossly. Tissue samples from esophagus, trachea, lungs, liver, spleen, kidney, stomach, small intestine, colon and heart were collected in 10% neutral buffered formalin for histopathological examination and in falcon tube for microbiological study. Lung exudates, pericardialexudates and intestinal swabs were collected aseptically in nutrient broth. Suspected paraffin embedded thin tissue sections were stained with Giemsa solution for 30 minutes to detect extra or intracellular organisms. Suspected tissue sections were stained with crystal violet and safranin as per standard procedure.Suspected tissue sections were stained with schiff reagent and counterstained with light green as per the standard procedure. The broth containing swabs in the test tubes were incubated at 37^oC for 24 hours for the growth of bacteria. Then they were plated on different culture media viz, McConkey's agar, Eosin- Methylene Blue (EMB) agar, Salmonella-Shigella (SS) agar, blood agar and brilliant green agar (BGA) following standard procedure for the isolation of specific bacterial colonies. The isolated bacteria were subjected to different biochemical test. Fermentation of different sugars viz, lactose, sucrose and maltose were performed for identification of the organisms. Bacteria were identified in the tissue section of lungs, liver, small intestine and colon by using Giemsa stain. The bacteria was also identified by using bacteriological media that produced smooth circular colonies with dark centers and metallic sheen on EMB agar and pink colonies on MacConkey's agar.

Source of Information: Korean J Vet Serv, 2012, 35(1), 47-52; ISSN 1225-6552

Article Link (Online Journal): http://kosves.re.kr

Funding Source:

Total Budget (Tk.) :

Achievement/Findings:

The host specificity of M. amphibiorum is reasonably wide and may include most anurans and some mammals with lower body temperatures. Platypus has a body temperature of 33^oC to 34^oC, Echidnas also have low body temperature, and cane toads have a body temperature close to the ambient temperature and might be at risk of fungal infection. In Reptiles Farm Limited, the temperature of pond water is 29 - 33^oC and crocodiles also have low body temperature. Both of the cause predispose to fungal septicemia. In this study, bacteriologically E. coli were isolated from lungs exudates, pericardial fluids and intestinal fluids which were corresponded. Therefore, it can be assumed that 3 crocodiles died due to E. coli septicemia concurrent with mycotic infection. Crocodiles probably become infected by ingesting an infectious stage in clay (possively the sporangiospore) and contaminated water. Water test revealed numerous pathogenic bacteria like E. coli, Salmonella and fungus (Lab. Agro, Gazipur). Infected crocodiles can excrete fungus in their feces. Therefore, infected crocodiles could contaminate soil and water and can be a threat to other crocodiles. It can be concluded that quality of water and other environmental factors are important for the captive crocodiles.

Knowledge Management: Journal