Lactococcus garvieae-associated septicemia in a central bearded dragon

J Vet Diagn Invest. 2024 May;36(3):477-480. doi: 10.1177/10406387241239912. Epub 2024 Mar 22.

Abstract

Lactococcus garvieae is the causative agent of lactococcosis in fish and an emerging zoonotic pathogen with high levels of antimicrobial resistance. We report a case of L. garvieae-associated septicemia in a central bearded dragon (Pogona vitticeps) confirmed via whole-blood PCR and direct sequencing. Following a 30-d course of ceftazidime (20 mg/kg IM q72h), the animal's clinical condition had not resolved; leukopenia persisted, with heterophil toxic change. Coelomic ultrasound findings were consistent with preovulatory follicular stasis, folliculitis, and coelomitis. Following surgical ovariectomy and an additional 30-d course of ceftazidime, the animal's behavior and appetite returned to normal, the animal tested negative via whole-blood PCR assay, and the CBC was unremarkable. To our knowledge, L. garvieae with L. garvieae-associated clinical disease has not been reported previously in a bearded dragon. We conclude that L. garvieae should be considered as a possible etiologic agent in cases of septicemia in bearded dragons, with the potential for zoonotic transmission warranting further investigation.

Keywords: bacterial infection; bearded dragons; hematology; lactococcosis; reptile; yolk embolism; zoonotic..

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / therapeutic use
  • Gram-Positive Bacterial Infections* / diagnosis
  • Gram-Positive Bacterial Infections* / microbiology
  • Gram-Positive Bacterial Infections* / veterinary
  • Lactococcus* / isolation & purification
  • Lizards* / microbiology
  • Sepsis* / microbiology
  • Sepsis* / veterinary

Supplementary concepts

  • Lactococcus garvieae