Concurrent infection of Pseudomonas and Haemogregarina Sp. in fresh water turtle (Lissemys Punctata)

Abstract

Indian flap-shelled fresh water turtles (Lissemys punctata) were presented to Veterinary Clinical Complex, Veterinary College, Bidar with the history of inappetance, respiratory distress and skin and shell infection. On clinical examination turtles were lethargic, inactive with foamy nasal discharge. White necrotic spots and hemorrhagic ulcerative lesions were seen on both carapace and plastron. An attempt was initiated for symptomatic treatment; however both the turtles succumbed to death without responding to the treatment. On post-mortem examination, along with ulcerative lesions on both carapace and plastron, froth mixed with debris filled nares, trachea and lungs. Isolation and identification revealed the presence of Pseudomonas aeruginosa from skin swab, tracheal swab and lung samples, whereas blood smears and lung impression cytology showed to harbour intra-erythrocytic Heamogregarina sp. Hence, the concurrent infection of these two opportunistic pathogens might have caused severe infection and led to death of fresh water turtles in captivity.