Bacterial abscesses in whitespotted bamboo sharks (Chiloscyllium plagiosum) in managed care

• Published in: Journal of fish diseases 2024-05, Vol.47 (5), p.e13917-n/a
• Main Authors: Mason, Alexandra K., Adams, Lance, Garner, Michael M.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: abscess; Abscess - veterinary; Abscesses; Animals; Aquaria; Aquarium fishes; Aquariums; Bacteria; Bamboo; Biofilms; Carnivorous animals; Cell culture; Cellulitis; Chiloscyllium plagiosum; cocci; Defence mechanisms; elasmobranch; Enterococcus faecalis; Fish Diseases; Immune response; Immunity; Inflammation; Lesions; Managed Care Programs; Marine fishes; Necrosis; Sharks; Sharks - physiology; whitespotted bamboo shark; Zoo animals
• ISSN: 0140-7775; 1365-2761
• DOI: 10.1111/jfd.13917

Sixteen whitespotted bamboo sharks (Chiloscyllium plagiosum) with histologically similar bacterial abscesses were submitted to Northwest ZooPath from nine zoo and aquarium institutions over a 17‐year period. These abscesses were characterized by inflammatory cell infiltrates and necrosis with intralesional small, Gram‐positive, acid‐fast negative, cocci bacteria. The clinical presentation, histologic findings, and culture results indicate that Enterococcus faecalis is a relatively common cause of these lesions in whitespotted bamboo sharks. This organism also provides a treatment challenge due to its inherent antibiotic‐resistant properties and ability to form biofilms, confounding the host's immune response. Enterococcus faecalis represents an important cause for abscess formation and cellulitis in captive whitespotted bamboo sharks.