Cryptosporidium in Leopard Gecko: A case report

Abstract

The choice for so-called “unconventional” animals has grown a lot in recent times and reptiles have gained popularity as pets. The Leopard Gecko (Eublepharis macularius) has been much sought after for breeding in captivity, and is currently one of the most adopted lizards in the world. However, most reptiles in captivity are acquired illegally, without information related to management, which triggers the onset of diseases such as cryptosporidiosis. Cryptosporidium are obligate intracellular coccidia protozoa that reproduce in the epithelial cells of the small intestine of a host via the fecal-oral route and contamination in Eublepharis macularius can cause fatal diarrheal disease. In this study, we report the first case, in Brazil, of an extremely debilitated specimen of Leopard Gecko, which died and was referred for cadaveric examination at the pathology laboratory at Unb, with suspicion of Cryptosporidium. Based on the results obtained in the autopsy report, the animal's cause of death was due to parasitism caused by Cryptosporidium sp.