Mycobacterium gordonae infection in a free-ranging green turtle (Chelonia mydas), Brazil

Mycobacteriosis is a well-known disease that has been reported in variety of reptiles species. However, the occurrence mycobacteriosis sea turtles rarely documented, and most reports are from captive-reared animals. A juvenile green turtle ( Chelonia mydas ) was found stranded March 2020, Guanabara Bay, one urbanized polluted coastal areas Rio de Janeiro, Southeastern Brazil. The fair body condition exhibited multiple cutaneous fibropapillomas, covering almost 60% its body. Despite continued medical therapy, animal died 60 days after initial supportive care. Necropsy revealed granulomatous pneumonia, hydropericardium, small granulomas myocardium, liver, spleen, thyroid brain caseous exudate meninges brain. histopathological analysis showed disseminated inflammation various organs examined during necropsy. Intrahistiocytic acid-fast bacteria were observed heart, lungs, kidneys, adrenals. blood culture collected shortly admitted tested positive for Mycobacterium gordonae , an 8-week incubation period; however, had already by time results obtained. Postmortem examination confirmed systemic mycobacteriosis, identified as M. blood, liver lung cultures PCR amplification DNA extracts frozen tissue samples. This first report infection caused free-ranging turtle. Although source this remains unknown, it could potentially be related to anthropogenic activities e.g. waste dumping or leakage landfill sites). Increasing surveillance wild paramount importance better understand role mycobacterial species causative agents infections marine