Mucormycosis is an angioinvasive fungal infection caused by ubiquitous saprophytic fungi of the order Mucorales. In humans, the infection is generally caused by inhalation of spores or traumatic inoculation in cutaneous wounds, typically affecting immunocompromised patients. In animals, Mucorales infection is common in cattle, but is rare in the other species, including felids. No cases of mucormycosis have been reported to date in non-domestic felids, to our knowledge. We describe a case of mucormycosis in a 5-y-old female captive tiger (Panthera tigris). The affected tiger was part of a group of 9 subjects, 7 of which had serohemorrhagic nasal discharge, anorexia, and depression, followed by hemorrhagic diarrhea. Five of the tigers died and organs from one animal were sent for histologic examination, which revealed severe necrohemorrhagic enteritis, with periodic acid-Schiff– and Grocott methenamine silver–positive fungal hyphae. Mucor colonies were cultured from sawdust, which served as litter for the animals, indicating a possible source of infection through inhalation of spores and/or ingestion of contaminated sawdust. Mucormycosis is a possible differential for necrohemorrhagic enteritis in captive felids; careful storage and periodic assessment of the materials used as litter for these animals is recommended.
AliN, et al. Hydrocarbon-utilizing microorganisms naturally associated with sawdust. Chemosphere2011;83:1268–1272.
2.
ConnollyJH, et al. Gross, histological and immunohistochemical features of mucormycosis in the platypus. J Comp Pathol2000;123:36–46.
3.
CrousPW, et al. Westerdijk Laboratory Manual Series No. 1. Fungal Biodiversity. 2nd ed. Westerdijk Fungal Biodivers Institute, 2019.
4.
CunhaSCS, et al. Duodenal perforation caused by Rhizomucor species in a cat. J Feline Med Surg2011;13:205–207.
5.
DamP, et al. Surge of mucormycosis during the COVID-19 pandemic. Travel Med Infect Dis2023;52:102557.
6.
DanesiP, et al. Cryptococcus in wildlife and free-living mammals. J Fungi2021;7:29.
7.
DietrichD, et al. Improved PCR performance using template DNA from formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded tissues by overcoming PCR inhibition. PLoS One2013;8:e77771.
8.
EidaMF, et al. Evaluation of cellulolytic and hemicellulolytic abilities of fungi isolated from coffee residue and sawdust composts. Microbes Environ2011;26:220–227.
9.
EidaMF, et al. Phytate degradation by fungi and bacteria that inhabit sawdust and coffee residue composts. Microbes Environ2013;28:71–80.
10.
Garcia-BustosV, et al. Potential fungal zoonotic pathogens in cetaceans: an emerging concern. Microorganisms2024;12:554.
11.
JensenHE, et al. Gastrointestinal aspergillosis and zygomycosis of cattle. Vet Pathol1994;31:28–36.
12.
LennoxJA, et al. Comparative degradation of sawdust by microorganisms isolated from it. African J Microbiol Res2010;4:1352–1355.
13.
LugauskasA, et al. Micromycetes, producers of toxins, detected on stored vegetables. Ann Agric Environ Med2005;12:253–260.
14.
OrtegaJ, et al. Zygomycotic lymphadenitis in slaughtered feedlot cattle. Vet Pathol2010;47:108–115.
15.
PrabhuRMPatelR.Mucormycosis and entomophthoramycosis: a review of the clinical manifestations, diagnosis and treatment. Clin Microbiol Infect2004;10:31–47.
16.
RodenMM, et al. Epidemiology and outcome of zygomycosis: a review of 929 reported cases. Clin Infect Dis2005;41:634–653.
17.
Rodrigues HoffmannA, et al. Hyphae, pseudohyphae, yeasts, spherules, spores, and more: a review on the morphology and pathology of fungal and oomycete infections in the skin of domestic animals. Vet Pathol2023;60:812–828.
18.
WagnerL, et al. A new species concept for the clinically relevant Mucor circinelloides complex. Persoonia2020;44:67–97.
19.
WaltherG, et al. Outbreaks of Mucorales and the species involved. Mycopathologia2020;185:765–781.
20.
WrayJD, et al. Infection of the subcutis of the nose in a cat caused by Mucor species: successful treatment using posaconazole.J Feline Med Surg2008;10:523–527.
