Name
What the mass is that? Peritesticular Granulomas in a Bearded Dragon with Microsporidiosis
Amy Bitter
Description
Microsporidial infections are a relatively common but underdiagnosed primitive fungal infection in reptiles. These infections have been better described in rabbit medicine, most notably Encenphaltozoon cuniculi. A 3-year-old intact male bearded dragon (Pogona vitticeps) was presented for lameness; however, on physical examination two semi-mobile firm coelomic masses were palpated. Coelomic ultrasound revealed bilateral follicle-like structures and a presumptive diagnosis of follicular stasis was made. A recommendation for surgery was made after managing the lameness and hyperuricemia diagnosed on bloodwork. Two months later, a coelomic exploratory surgery was performed and two testes were identified, along with bilateral peritesticular pink lobulated masses. The adrenal gland could not be visualized and only one mass was removed at surgery. The mass was submitted to Northwest ZooPath (207 North Harkness Street Everson, WA 98247) for histopathology. A diagnosis of peritesticular granuloma with testis atrophy due to microsporidia was made. A cloacal swab was submitted to University of Florida for qPCR testing at the time of this abstract with results pending. The dragon was started on fenbendazole (10 mg/kg q24 h PO) and is currently stable at the time of writing this abstract.
Session Type
Lecture (25 Min)