Dermatophilosis in Furcifer (Chamaleo) pardalis
Assoc Reptilian Amphibian Vet 9[3]:9-11 Fall'99 Case Report 13 Refs

Three panther chameleons, Furcifer pardalis, with multifocal raised skin lesions were evaluated. Clinical, bacteriological and histopathological investigations were performed. Histopathological findings revealed beaded filamentous organisms consistent with Dermatophilus spp. Following systemic and topical antibacterial therapy, there was full remission of clinical signs. Dermatophilosis is a cutaneous infectious disease that in mammals is caused by Dermatophilus congolensis, a Gram-positive, Periodic Acid-Schiff (PAS) positive and acid fast-negative coccoid bacterium belonging to the family of Dermatophilaceae. This organism is characterized by filamentous chains that develop in horizontal and longitudinal branches. Dermatophilosis has been described in several species of reptiles. Recently, a newly described species of Dermatophilus, D. cheloniae, was isolated in several species of captive chelonians in Australia and in tortoises in a zoological collection in the United States. All three chameleons were treated with diluted (1/100 of the stock solution) povidone iodine, applied topically with cotton tip applicators. Additionally, the two male chameleons were administered ceftazidime at 20 mg/kg im, once every three days for 30 days. The female was given enrofloxacin at 5 mg/kg po, sid for 30 days. While cephalosporins are known to be efficacious against Dermatophilus in mammals, enrofloxacin was selected for its broad antimicrobial spectrum. Lesions resolved in all three chameleons at 25 to 30 days from initial treatment, although blackened areas of the skin remained at original sites of infection.