First recorded outbreak of Veronaea botryosa in North American amphibians: Clinicopathologic features of a rare cause of phaeohyphomycosis in captive White's tree frogs (Litoria caerulea)

Treana Mayer; Alexandra E Moskaluk; Jonathan E Kolby; Michael Russell; Paula Schaffer; Anna C Fagre

doi:10.1016/j.mmcr.2022.09.002

First recorded outbreak of Veronaea botryosa in North American amphibians: Clinicopathologic features of a rare cause of phaeohyphomycosis in captive White's tree frogs (Litoria caerulea)

Med Mycol Case Rep. 2022 Sep 23:38:13-17. doi: 10.1016/j.mmcr.2022.09.002. eCollection 2022 Dec.

Authors

Treana Mayer¹, Alexandra E Moskaluk¹, Jonathan E Kolby², Michael Russell¹, Paula Schaffer¹, Anna C Fagre¹

Affiliations

¹ Colorado State University, College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Science, Fort Collins, CO, USA.
² James Cook University, College of Public Health, Medical and Veterinary Sciences, Townsville, Australia.

Abstract

We describe fatal phaeohyphomycosis due to Veronaea botryosa in captive White's tree frogs (Litoria caerulea), the first confirmed report in amphibians in North America. Over 15 months, six frogs developed ulcerative dermatitis on distal extremities/ventrum, which in one animal progressed to vasculitis and necrotizing osteomyelitis. All six frogs died. Clinicopathologic findings, diagnostic challenges, and control are discussed. Emerging fungi such as V. botryosa pose serious concerns for zoonosis and potential spread through the pet trade.

Keywords: Amphibian; Emerging fungal disease; Phaeohyphomycosis; Veronaea; Zoonotic.

Publication types

Case Reports

Grants and funding

T32 OD010437/OD/NIH HHS/United States