Korean J Vet Serv, Mar. 2012, 35(1), p. 65~70 ISSN 1225-6552 Available online at http://kosves.re.kr <Original Article> Korean Journal of Veterinary Service Copyright © 2012, The Korean Society of Veterinary Service. All Rights Reserved. 65 *Corresponding author: Emdadul H. Chowdhury, Tel. +88-091-67401-6 (Ext. 2390), Fax. +88-091-61510, E-mail. emdad001@yahoo.com Escherichia coli septicemia concurrent with mycotic infection in captive salt water crocodiles in Bangladesh Sajeda Sultana 1 , Emdadul H. Chowdhury 1 *, R. Parvin 1 , Shib S. Saha 1 , Sheik M. Rahman 1 , M. G. Haider 1 , Abu S. M. Arif 3 , Md. Siddiqur Rahman 1 , Hee-Jong Song 4 1 Department of Pathology and 2 Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh 2202, Bangladesh, 3 Reptiles Farm Limited, Mymensingh 2202, Bangladesh, 4 Korea Zoonoses Research Institute, Chonbuk National University, Jeonju 561-756, Korea (Received 25 August 2011; revised 9 March 2012; accepted 19 March 2012) Abstract Crocodile farms are getting popular in Bangladesh in an economic point of view. In one of the farms, some crocodiles were found sick and three of them died between May and July in 2006. This inves- tigation was performed to diagnose the cause of the death. Routine postmortem examination was conducted. Samples were collected in 10% neutral buffered formalin for histopathology and in falcon tube for microbiological study. Additional swabs were collected in nutrient broth. Histopathological and microbiological studies were conducted using routine procedures. In addition Giemsa, Gram and PAS stains were performed to detect the organism in tissues. Grossly, esophagus, trachea, lungs, liver, spleen, heart and kidney were congested. Intestine, rectum and colon were hemorrhagic. Clay colored material was found in colo-rectum. Purulent exudates in lungs and thick and cloudy pericardial fluid in pericardial sac were found. Histologically, multifocal granulomatous pneumonia consistent with a huge amount of bacteria and fungal spore, bacterial emboli in the blood vessel of lungs, multifocal to diffuse chronic necrotizing hepatitis consistent with fungal spores and bacteria, aggregation of bacteria and protein casts in the parenchyma of the kidneys, granulomatous necrotizing enteritis and colitis con- sistent with bacteria, fungal hyphae and spores were evident. Bacteria were identified in the tissue sec- tion of the lungs, liver, small intestine and colon by using Giemsa stain. These bacteria were appeared as Gram negative. Fungal hyphae and spores were detected in liver, lungs and colon by using PAS stain. Bacteriologically, E. coli were isolated from lungs exudates, pericardial fluids and intestinal fluids. Therefore, it can be concluded that 3 crocodiles died due to E. coli septicemia concurrent with mycotic infection. Key words : Captive salt water crocodile, E. coli septicemia, Fatal, Mycotic infection INTRODUCTION Captive crocodile farms are getting popular worldwide in an economic point of view. Crocodile farms in Bangladesh were facing troubles due to high mortality. There are large numbers of agents that may cause mor- tality in captive crocodiles. Mucor amphibiorum a fun- gus was first reported as a cause of death in captive anurans in Europe (Frank et al, 1974). In natural and experimental infections it produces a disseminated my- cosis (Frank et al, 1974; Frank, 1976). M. amphibiorum existed in tissues in a unique spherical from, which Frank et al(1974) called a sphaerule. Fatal mycotic pul- monary disease caused by Beauveria bassiana occurred in captive American alligators at the Oklahoma City Zoo (Fromtling et al, 1979). The entomopathogenic and fungus, B. bassiana was isolated from pulmonary le- sions of a dead America alligator. Septate, branching