This disease page is currently being used in Wildpro to link different data types and demonstrate inter-relationships. Whilst basic information is available, it does not contain comprehensive information.

• Staphylococcus sp. (J3.152.w2)

Further information on Disease Agents has only been incorporated for agents recorded in species for which a full Wildpro "Health and Management" module has been completed (i.e. for which a comprehensive literature review has been undertaken). Only those agents with further information available are linked below:

• Staphylococcus (Bacteria Genera)
• Staphylococcus aureus

• Persistent low grade infection of the connective tissue by Staphylococcus sp. (J3.152.w2)

In Elephants:

Loxodonta africana - African Elephant

• A single case of mammary botryomycosis has been reported in a 14-year-old female Loxodonta africana - African Elephant from a zoological garden in the United States. (J3.152.w2)

Clinical signs:

• Slow enlargement of the left mammary gland over a three years period. (J3.152.w2)
• Purulent material could be expressed from the gland. (J3.152.w2)

Diagnosis/ Investigations:

• The purulent material was cultured and Staphylococcus aureus was isolated. (J3.152.w2)
• Staphylococcus aureus and three different coagulase negative Staphylococcus  strains were isolated from the mammary gland excised. (J3.152.w2) 

Histopathology:

• An excisional biopsy was performed under sedation for histopathology and revealed multifocal granulomas associated with eosinophils and macrophages. No aetiological agents were found. (J3.152.w2)
• Three years later, a second excisional biopsy was taken under sedation; this revealed lymphocytic-plasmacytic perivasculitis of the fibrous connective tissue; it was decided to fully excise the mass. (J3.152.w2)

• Histopathology of the excised mammary gland showed multifocal disruption of the lobular architecture by multiple areas of necrosis, severe heterophilic infiltration and lower numbers of macrophages. These findings were consistent with multifocal pyogranulomatous mastitis. (J3.152.w2)

Treatment:

• Initially, a course of 60 g trimethoprim/sulfadiazine orally once daily for ten days was tried without effect. No further treatment was pursued at this time. (J3.152.w2)
• Three years after the first signs, a mastectomy of the left gland was performed under general anaesthesia. (J3.152.w2)
  • Eighteen million USP units of procaine penicillin G intramuscularly and 3 g of flunixin meglumine intramuscularly was given perioperatively. (J3.152.w2)
  • A course of 60 g trimethoprim/sulfadiazine orally once daily for ten days was started after the surgery. (J3.152.w2)
  • Six days after surgery the incision wound showed signs of inflammation. The sutures were removed and the wound was flushed with warm tap water under sedation. Daily flushing was continued for several weeks until healthy granulation tissue was noticed. The wound healed by second intention in approximately three months. (J3.152.w2)

• History & Documentation
• Physical Examination of Mammals
• Environmental Assessment
• Treatment and Care - General
• Necropsy of Mammals
• Chapter 2 - B36 Field Manual of Wildlife Diseases - Specimen Collection and Preservation
• Chapter 3 - B36 Field Manual of Wildlife Diseases - Specimen shipment
• Appendix A - B36 Field Manual of Wildlife Diseases - Sample specimen history form
• Medicating Elephants
• Intramuscular Injection of Elephants
• Oral Medication of Elephants

• Loxodonta africana - African Elephant

(List does not contain all other species groups affected by this disease)