PODODERMATITIS IN ZOO ELEPHANTS – MICROBIOLOGICAL STUDIES

Abstract

Microbiological studies were performed on samples from the feet of elephants with signs of pododermatitis. The patients were the elephant Frostya from the Sofia Zoological park, as well as the elephants Myo and Lesso from the Attica Zoological park. The samples were taken from the contents under the nails and from lesions in interdigital space and on the foot. From the materials from the elephant Frostya from the Sofia Zoo, the Gram-negative species Serratia marcescens and Hafnia alvei 2 were isolated. Staphylococcus warneri and Staphylococcus simulans were also isolated, as well as the oval fungus Cryptococcus neoformans. From the elephants Myo and Lesso, the Gram-negative species Citrobacter freundii and Enterobacter agglomerans 3, three types of staphylococci – S. warneri 1, S. mucilaginosus and S. cohnii ssp. urealyticum, Corynebacterium sp., as well as the oval fungus Candida glabrata were isolated. In addition, corynebacteria and fungi with colonies characteristic of Microsporium sp. were isolated from them. The isolated microorganisms are conditionally pathogenic and multiply when the nails and skin of the feet are damaged locally. By improving hygiene conditions and providing greater opportunities for walk, which elephants need, conditions would be created to limit and prevent pododermatitis.