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Providencia rettgeri ‐associated Septicemia and Meningoencephalitis in Juvenile Farmed American Alligators Alligator mississippiensis
Author(s) -
Camus A. C.,
Hawke J. P.
Publication year - 2002
Publication title -
journal of aquatic animal health
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.507
H-Index - 52
eISSN - 1548-8667
pISSN - 0899-7659
DOI - 10.1577/1548-8667(2002)014<0149:prasam>2.0.co;2
Subject(s) - alligator , biology , american alligator , outbreak , crocodylus , zoology , meningoencephalitis , veterinary medicine , crocodile , ecology , virology , medicine
Providencia rettgeri was found to be associated with high mortalities in farmed American alligators Alligator mississippiensis being grown under intensive culture conditions on a commercial aquaculture facility. The outbreak was likely precipitated by an episode of severe temperature stress resulting from a thermostat that was improperly set. Animals were lethargic and in poor physical condition, and exhibited neurologic signs, including head tilt and circling. Histopathology findings revealed heterophilic meningoencephalitis, pneumonia, hepatitis, and splenitis. The epizootic was successfully resolved by adding neomycin sulfate to the diet. Providencia rettgeri is recognized as an infrequent opportunistic pathogen of captive American alligators and the saltwater crocodile Crocodylus porosus in Australia. Meningoencephalitis in alligators has not previously been attributed to P. rettgeri .