Dual infection with Entamoeba invadens and Aeromonas hydrophila in a captive anaconda (Eunectes murinus) leading to necrotising gastroenteritis and hepatocyte death

Abstract

A ten-year-old male captive anaconda (Eunectes murinus) with a history of anorexia was found dead in Gwangju Uchi Zoo. Pathologically, this case showed multiple necrotising gastroenteritis ulcers, the death of large numbers of hepatocytes and multiple instances of chronic active interstitial nephritis. Entamoeba invadens and Aeromonas hydrophila were frequently found in these lesions. Confirmation of these pathogens was made using molecular and phylogenetic analyses. The TUNEL assay revealed the apoptotic nature of hepatocyte cell death.