Bilateral Chronic Shoulder Infections in an Adult Green Sea Turtle (Chelonia mydas)
A green sea turtle, Chelonia mydas, was found stranded in the Laguna Madre of Padre Island, TX, with reduced mobility and swelling of both shoulder joints. Radiographs revealed progressive destruction of both humero-scapular joints. Biopsy, cytology, and culture revealed a Streptococcus sp. infection and subsequent inflammation. The animal was euthanized 18 months after stranding due to poor quality of life and a grave prognosis for return to function, despite multiple courses of long-term antibiotics, non-steroidal anti-inflammatories, and physical therapy. Necropsy and histopathology revealed severe chronic fibrinonecrosis of both humeri, with intralesional mixed populations of bacteria. Culture samples taken at necropsy grew bacterial populations that included Nocardia sp., Corynebacterium sp., alpha hemolytic Streptococcus sp., and Gram-negative nonfermenters from both shoulder joints. Septic arthritis coupled with no evidence of external wounds indicates hematogenous spread of bacteria as has been demonstrated in other similar cases involving green sea turtles.ABSTRACT
Radiographs of the shoulders of the green sea turtle showed evidence of complete osteolysis of the head of the humerus, leaving an irregular margin of the neck and patchy demineralization of surrounding bone.
A second set of radiographs from the green sea turtle collected during treatment showed complete loss of the head of the humerus, with further degeneration of the neck.
The final set of radiographs taken of the green sea turtle showed further degeneration of the skeletal components of the shoulder joints. Note the irregular bony margins of the medial process and the remaining neck, increased radiolucency, and demineralization of remaining surrounding bone.
