Oral scrab from a Frucifer pardalis with oral plaques

Background: Mycoses are considered rare in reptiles and, in the majority of cases, are associated with poor husbandry leading to immunosuppression. Few reports of oral mycoses are available in chameleons. Objectives: To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first report of cytological findings linked to concurrent multiple mycoses in Frucifer pardalis Case description: A 2.5‐year‐old, male chameleon (F. pardalis) was presented to the University of Milan Veterinary Hospital, for a week history of lethargy, anorexia, and dysphagia. On clinical examination, the animal was dehydrated, in poor body condition, and lethargic. On oral cavity inspection, the animal had multiple white to yellow plaques adherent to both hard palate and gums. Scrubs and swabs from the oral lesions were obtained and submitted for cytopathology and microbiology. Cytological findings included necrosis and the presence of large aggregates of a mixed fungal population. Two types of hyphae (morphologically compatible with Microsporum spp. and Zygomyces) were detected. Numerous bacteria, degenerated het- erophils, few foamy reactive macrophages, and epithelial cells were also detected. A final diagnosis of heterophilic and macrophagic faucitis with intralesional bacteria and fungal hyphae was made. Mycological examination was negative. Conclusions: Microsporum spp. have been previously associated with dermatophytosis in reptiles, while Zygomyces was reported as a common commensal of reptiles’ skin. The presence of multiple, vari- able pathogenic, fungal types supports the hypothesis that mycotic infections are generally secondary to immune suppression. Further- more, the mycological examination was negative, highlighting the role of cytology in the diagnosis of the reptiles’ infectious diseases.