Interstitial pneumonia caused by Pseudomonas putida in an African pangolin: A case report

Abstract

Pseudomonas putida, a significant bacterium, has been implicated in severe conditions in animals. P. putida was indicated in transient and persistent lung infections in immunocompromised animals. Pseudomonas species are recurrently related to wildlife infections but are frequently not reported. In this study, a male pangolin was found dead without clinical signs. Postmortem examination and bacteriological analysis of necropsy samples indicated interstitial pneumonia caused by P. putida. The lungs were non-collapsed, consolidated, especially the left lung, with prominent interlobular septae and a shiny appearance of the lungs. The spleen was enlarged and congested. The stomach contained a copious amount of fluid having a curdling appearance (milky) with multifocal ulcerations on the mucosa. This study showed the significance of surveillance for the incidence of pathogenic bacteria and virulence traits in wildlife.