Pulmonary hyalohyphomycosis caused by Fusarium spp in a Kemp's ridley sea turtle (Lepidochelys kempi): an immunohistochemical study

Abstract

AIM: To describe the microscopic and immunohistochemical findings in a case of pulmonary hyalohyphomycosis in a Kemp's ridley sea turtle (Lepidochelys kempi).

METHODS: Samples of lung, liver and kidney from a stranded, dead Kemp's ridley sea turtle were routinely processed for histopathological studies. Two monoclonal antibodies that reacted specifically with antigens of Aspergillus spp and the Mucorales (Zygomycetes) group, and a panel of polyclonal antibodies raised against Aspergillus fumigatus, Candida albicans, Geotrichum candidum, Fusarium solani, and Scedosporium apiospermum were used for immunohistochemical or immunofluorescence staining.

RESULTS: Histologically, a severe multifocal granulomatous pneumonia associated with fungal infection was diagnosed. All hyphae were identified as Fusarium spp because a strong and uniform reactivity was obtained only with a heterologously-absorbed polyclonal antibody raised against somatic antigens of Fusarium solani.

CONCLUSIONS: Fusarium spp should be included in the differential diagnosis of mycotic pneumonia in Kemp's ridley sea turtles.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE: This is the first report of a pulmonary mycotic infection in a sea turtle diagnosed using immunohistochemistry. Wildlife rehabilitators and pathologists should be aware of the availability of immunohistochemical techniques for identifying fungi in sea turtles.

KEY WORDS:

• Fusarium
• hyalohyphomycosis
• immunohistochemistry
• Lepidochelys kempi
• reptile
• sea turtle

Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank P Castro and M Rivero, Department of Morphology, University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, for technical assistance. Funding for this paper was partially provided by the national project I+D REN2000-1753 MAR, and the Consejería de Política Territorial y Medio Ambiente del Gobierno de Canarias.