Semester of Graduation
Spring 2025
Degree
Master of Science (MS)
Department
Veterinary Clinical Sciences
Document Type
Thesis
Abstract
From August to November of 2023, a disease outbreak occurred in a research colony of 33, five months old, mixed sex, central bearded dragons obtained from a private breeder in USA. A total of six deaths occurred during this period. A pathological investigation followed by molecular diagnostics and gene sequencing revealed Mycoplasma pogonae as the cause of disease. We characterized the gross and histological characteristics of the disease. The remaining animals in the colony were tested and confirmed to be infected as well. Ante-mortem diagnostics with different sample types were compared. Both oral swabs and endotracheal lung lavage samples were deemed appropriate for mycoplasmal screening. A treatment trial with enrofloxacin and doxycycline for 45 days did not clear the infection; both drugs reduced mycoplasmal shedding. All animals were euthanized and sent for post-mortem examination. Molecular testing revealed that all animals were still infected at the end of the study.
Date
4-3-2025
Recommended Citation
Plangsangmas, Tithipong, "Mycoplasma pogonae Infection in Captive Central Bearded Dragons (Pogona vitticeps): Pathology, Diagnosis, and Treatments" (2025). LSU Master's Theses. 6138.
https://repository.lsu.edu/gradschool_theses/6138
Committee Chair
Nevarez, Javier G.
Included in
Small or Companion Animal Medicine Commons, Veterinary Infectious Diseases Commons, Veterinary Pathology and Pathobiology Commons