Diagnosis and pathology of colibacillosis in Asian brown tortoise (Manouria emys phayrei)

Mortality in two female tortoise of Zoological Garden Aizawl was investigated. On the basis of morpho-anatomy it was found that the tortoise belonged to species Manouria emys phayrei which is an endangered species. Thorough necropsy examination revealed oophoritis and egg peritonitis. Bacterial isolation from ova yielded pure colonies of Escherichia coli which was serotyped as O₂. Antibiotic sensitivity test revealed that it is susceptible to most of the commonly used drugs including Enrofloxacin, Azotreonam, Ceftriazone, Streptomycin, Ceftazidime, Cefalexin, Cefixime, Cefotaxime and Piperacellin. Histopathological examination revealed microthrombosis in liver sinusoids and hyaline proteinaceous deposits in parenchyma of spleen. The isolates could not be classified under pathotypes by detection of virulence genes by Polymerase chain reaction. The findings showed that E. coli could cause egg peritonitis and colisepticemia like lesions in tortoise. This is the first report of E. coli associated collibacillosis in Asian brown tortoise.