Diphtheritic stomatitis
1879971
104492770
2007-01-31T03:11:01Z
Davidruben
101637
Cats: only need list lowest sub-cat level, in this case [Category:Bacterial diseases] is subcat of [Category:Infectious diseases]
[[Image:Diphtheritic_stomatitis.jpg|thumb|Penguin chick with lesions from Diphtheritic stomatitis]]
'''Diphtheritic stomatitis''' is a recently discovered disease and has thus far been reported only in [[Yellow-eyed penguin]]s (''Megadyptes antipodes''). Its symptoms are similar to human [[diphtheria]] and is characterized by infecteous [[lesion]]s in the mouth area that impede swallowing and cause respiratory troubles. The infection is caused by ''[[Corynebacterium amycolatum]]'', an [[aerobic]] [[Gram-positive]] [[bacterium]] and mainly affects very young chicks. However, it seems likely that a triggering agent (e.g. a [[virus]]) might be involved in which renders the corynebacterium a secondary [[pathogen]].
The disease has been a serious cause of mortality in the 2002 and 2004 Yellow-eyed penguin breeding seasons. It seems that only the [[New Zealand]] [[South Island]] and [[Stewart Island/Rakiura]] were affected.
==Signs and symptoms==
* Almost exclusively seen in Yellow-eyed penguin chicks
* Heavy breathing and signs of weakness
* Yellow caesous [[exudate]] within the beak and at the commisures of the mouth
* Yellow diphtheritic membrane covers the hard [[palate]], tongue and [[buccal mucosa]]
* Mouth can often not be closed due to lesions, in serious cases tongue exposed
==Diagnosis==
* Isolation of ''[[Corynebacterium amycolatum]]'' from a clinical specimen, or
* Histopathologic diagnosis of diphtheria
==Treatment==
During the latest outbreak of the disease (2004), several treatment methods were tested. Main treatment involved the administration of antibiotics, in some cases glucose solution or dietary mixtures were additionally supplemented. Outcome of the different treatment methods varied greatly. Especially the success of antibiotic treatment and a wide-spread use on wild animals remains a matter of debate.
==Source==
* Summarized from Minutes of "Yellow-eyed Penguin Corynebacterium Workshop" held in Dunedin, Tuesday 05th April 2005
[[Category:Bacterial diseases]]