Klebsiella sp.-related infectious spondylitis in a bearded dragon (Pogona vitticeps)
Abstract Background Spondylitis is an inflammation of the vertebrae that leads to a destructive process with exuberant new bone formation. Osteomyelitis can produce a distortion of the bone architecture, degenerative joint changes and ankyloses of adjacent vertebrae. In reptiles, intervertebral disc...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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BMC
2021-06-01
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| Series: | BMC Veterinary Research |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12917-021-02933-7 |
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| author | Alessandro Vetere Mara Bertocchi Igor Pelizzone Emanuele Moggia Sebastiano Gerosa Francesco Di Ianni |
| author_facet | Alessandro Vetere Mara Bertocchi Igor Pelizzone Emanuele Moggia Sebastiano Gerosa Francesco Di Ianni |
| author_sort | Alessandro Vetere |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background Spondylitis is an inflammation of the vertebrae that leads to a destructive process with exuberant new bone formation. Osteomyelitis can produce a distortion of the bone architecture, degenerative joint changes and ankyloses of adjacent vertebrae. In reptiles, intervertebral discs are absent, so the term discospondylitis is not used. In lizards, vertebral lesions have not been well studied. The present paper describes the first case of Klebsiella sp.-related spondylitis in a pet lizard (Pogona vitticeps). Case presentation A 2-year-old, female bearded dragon (Pogona vitticeps) was presented for clinical examination due to a decreased activity level, decreased appetite and constipation. Blood tests showed no remarkable alterations. The haemogram showed normal parameters with relative lymphocytosis, although the absolute number of lymphocytes did not differ from the reference values. A computed tomography scan revealed a mixed osteolytic-proliferative bone lesion diffusing to the first and last tracts of the pre-sacral vertebrae together. A small amount of material obtained from the spinal swelling was sampled with an aseptic technique for bacterial culture, which was positive for Klebsiella sp. The antibiogram revealed sensitivity to enrofloxacin, marbofloxacin, and chloramphenicol and intermediate sensitivity to gentamicin. Complete return to spontaneous feeding was achieved 15 days after the beginning of antibiotic and anti-inflammatory therapy. Conclusions In veterinary medicine, spondylitis represents a well-known disease in small companion animals. In mammals, the most common aetiologic agents are fungi and bacteria. Antibiotic therapy was set based on the antibiogram, and marbofloxacin was chosen at a dosage of 10 mg/kg subcutaneously (SC) once per day (SID). After only 7 days of antibiotic therapy, the clinical condition improved significantly; the patient started feeding and drinking spontaneously and gained weight. This case should remind clinicians of the importance of always performing antibiograms before choosing any antibiotic therapy. Considering reptiles, there have been few papers about spinal diseases, mostly regarding snakes and a few about Iguana iguana. Relative to other species of saurians, the literature remains lacking. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-19T21:56:58Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-b80420426bc849989938c44b35ab35f4 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1746-6148 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-19T21:56:58Z |
| publishDate | 2021-06-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | BMC Veterinary Research |
| spelling | doaj.art-b80420426bc849989938c44b35ab35f42022-12-21T20:04:16ZengBMCBMC Veterinary Research1746-61482021-06-011711510.1186/s12917-021-02933-7Klebsiella sp.-related infectious spondylitis in a bearded dragon (Pogona vitticeps)Alessandro Vetere0Mara Bertocchi1Igor Pelizzone2Emanuele Moggia3Sebastiano Gerosa4Francesco Di Ianni5Clinica Veterinaria Modena SudDepartment of Veterinary Science, University of ParmaAmbulatorio Veterinario BelvedereAmbulatorio Veterinario LevanteOspedale Veterinario San FrancescoDepartment of Veterinary Science, University of ParmaAbstract Background Spondylitis is an inflammation of the vertebrae that leads to a destructive process with exuberant new bone formation. Osteomyelitis can produce a distortion of the bone architecture, degenerative joint changes and ankyloses of adjacent vertebrae. In reptiles, intervertebral discs are absent, so the term discospondylitis is not used. In lizards, vertebral lesions have not been well studied. The present paper describes the first case of Klebsiella sp.-related spondylitis in a pet lizard (Pogona vitticeps). Case presentation A 2-year-old, female bearded dragon (Pogona vitticeps) was presented for clinical examination due to a decreased activity level, decreased appetite and constipation. Blood tests showed no remarkable alterations. The haemogram showed normal parameters with relative lymphocytosis, although the absolute number of lymphocytes did not differ from the reference values. A computed tomography scan revealed a mixed osteolytic-proliferative bone lesion diffusing to the first and last tracts of the pre-sacral vertebrae together. A small amount of material obtained from the spinal swelling was sampled with an aseptic technique for bacterial culture, which was positive for Klebsiella sp. The antibiogram revealed sensitivity to enrofloxacin, marbofloxacin, and chloramphenicol and intermediate sensitivity to gentamicin. Complete return to spontaneous feeding was achieved 15 days after the beginning of antibiotic and anti-inflammatory therapy. Conclusions In veterinary medicine, spondylitis represents a well-known disease in small companion animals. In mammals, the most common aetiologic agents are fungi and bacteria. Antibiotic therapy was set based on the antibiogram, and marbofloxacin was chosen at a dosage of 10 mg/kg subcutaneously (SC) once per day (SID). After only 7 days of antibiotic therapy, the clinical condition improved significantly; the patient started feeding and drinking spontaneously and gained weight. This case should remind clinicians of the importance of always performing antibiograms before choosing any antibiotic therapy. Considering reptiles, there have been few papers about spinal diseases, mostly regarding snakes and a few about Iguana iguana. Relative to other species of saurians, the literature remains lacking.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12917-021-02933-7SpondylitisKlebsiella spPogona vitticepsPet lizardReptiles |
| spellingShingle | Alessandro Vetere Mara Bertocchi Igor Pelizzone Emanuele Moggia Sebastiano Gerosa Francesco Di Ianni Klebsiella sp.-related infectious spondylitis in a bearded dragon (Pogona vitticeps) BMC Veterinary Research Spondylitis Klebsiella sp Pogona vitticeps Pet lizard Reptiles |
| title | Klebsiella sp.-related infectious spondylitis in a bearded dragon (Pogona vitticeps) |
| title_full | Klebsiella sp.-related infectious spondylitis in a bearded dragon (Pogona vitticeps) |
| title_fullStr | Klebsiella sp.-related infectious spondylitis in a bearded dragon (Pogona vitticeps) |
| title_full_unstemmed | Klebsiella sp.-related infectious spondylitis in a bearded dragon (Pogona vitticeps) |
| title_short | Klebsiella sp.-related infectious spondylitis in a bearded dragon (Pogona vitticeps) |
| title_sort | klebsiella sp related infectious spondylitis in a bearded dragon pogona vitticeps |
| topic | Spondylitis Klebsiella sp Pogona vitticeps Pet lizard Reptiles |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12917-021-02933-7 |
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