Yellow fungus disease (Chrysosporium anamorph of

Nannizziopsis vriesii) in reptiles in Australia

FACT SHEET
Introductory statement
Yellow fungus disease, caused by the Chrysosporium anamorph of Nannizziopsis vriessi
(CANV) has been reported in a variety of reptile species overseas. There are two reports of
an outbreak of CANV infection in farmed crocodiles in the 1990s (Thomas et al 2002). It has
also been isolated on two occasions from superficial lesions on Australian snakes, one of
which was a filesnake (Ladds 2009). Recently this fungus has been isolated as a primary
pathogen in captive coastal bearded dragons, Pogona barbata, in Australia (Australian
Registry of Wildlife Health [ARWH] case reports, 6443/1, 6596/1, 6588/1, 6742/1). The CANV
is found freely in the environment, and as such free-living reptile species are at risk of
infection.

Aetiology
Yellow fungus, the Chrysosporium anamorph of Nannizziopsis vriessi (CANV) is an
ascomycetous teleomorphic fungus in the order Onygenales, family Onygenaceae.

Natural hosts
CANV infection has been reported in a wide range of reptile species. There is no reported age
or sex-linked predisposition.

World distribution
Cases of CANV infection in reptiles have been reported in North America, Europe and
Australia.

Occurrences in Australia
Outbreaks of CANV occurred on two separate occasions in 1994 and 1997 in crocodiles
sourced from the same crocodile farm (Thomas et al 2002). In 2008-2009 an outbreak was
reported in captive coastal bearded dragons, Pogona barbata, (ARWH case reports, 6443/1,
6588/1, 6596/1, 6742/1). PCR on cultured fungus confirmed the genus as Chrysosporium sp.
in one case (6588/1). As a result CANV infection was thought to be the cause of death in all
four animals. CANV infection has not previously been reported in coastal bearded dragons. A
separate case of CANV has recently been diagnosed in a wild caught pet bearded dragon
(pers.obs.).

Epidemiology
The number of cases of infections in reptiles caused by the CANV is high in relative contrast
to reports of infections caused by fungi that are extremely common on reptilian skin (Par et
al 2006). Information on the mortality rate is not available other than infections can be fatal
(Bowman et al 2007, Thomas et al 2002). Incubation period is 2-5 weeks (Par et al 2006).
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Cutaneous mycosis in estuarine crocodiles (Crocodylus porosus) associated with the CANV
may develop quickly with lesions apparent after one or two days (Thomas et al 2002).
Transmission is by direct contact. Transmission studies in veiled chameleons (Chamaeleo
calyptratus), fulfilling Kochs postulates, have demonstrated that the CANV can act as a
primary pathogen. The CANV appears to be contagious and can readily spread either directly
through contact or indirectly by fomites (Par et al 2006). Suboptimal ambient temperatures
provide an ideal environment for fungal infection (Thomas et al 2002).

Clinical signs
Yellow fungus disease is a slowly progressive and often fatal skin disease. Skin lesions slowly
progress over several months from dry, hyperkeratotic plaques to exudative and necrotic
ulcers (pers.obs). The mouth is commonly affected but lesions may occur anywhere on the
body. Affected reptiles are often in poor condition. In later stages infection will extend to
muscle, bone and deeper tissues.

Figure 1. Yellow fungus disease in captive coastal bearded dragons, Pogona barbata (Courtesy R
Johnson).

Diagnosis
Diagnosis is based on clinical signs, fungal culture, histopathology and PCR.

Clinical Pathology
TM

Culture on Mycosel
morphology.

Agar and incubated at 28C. Fungi identified to genus based on

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Pathology
Lesions may begin as hyperkeratotic plaques that undergo necrosis, turn a darkish brown,
and slough. The skin may be swollen, hard, and cracked with exudates seeping from the
fissures. Lesions are often found around the mouth but may occur anywhere on the body. A
whole limb may be affected (Par and Jacobson 2007). In the later stages deeper tissues
may be affected (pers.obs.). Histological lesions include a granulomatous fungal dermatitis,
myositis, and osteomyelitis (ARWH case reports, 6443/1, 6596/1, 6588/1, 6742/1; Bowman et
al 2007). PAS stained tissue sections revealed hyphae in the keratin layer, epidermis, dermis
and occasionally skeletal muscle (Par et al 2006). Two separate cases of granulomatous
hepatitis, with intralesional hyphae morphologically consistent with those produced by the
CANV have been reported (Bowman et al 2007, ARWH 6742/1). The latter case also had a
granulomatous myocarditis with intralesional hyphae.

Differential diagnoses
Other dermatomycoses, bacterial dermatitis, stomatitis and osteomyelitis need to be excluded
from the list of differential diagnoses. Previously the CANV has been misidentified as
Trichophyton, or as other fungal species including Geotrichium or Trichosporon (Bowman et
al 2007, pers.obs).

Laboratory diagnostic specimens

Procedures for specimen collection should follow those presented by Rose (2007). A
complete range of tissue samples should be frozen and fixed. Representative biopsies of
affected tissue should be taken from live reptiles. Histological and microbiological examination
for hyphae typical of Chrysosporium sp. should be carried out.

Laboratory procedures
Histological and microbiological examinations include fungal culture, histopathology and PCR.

Treatment
Medical treatment of confirmed cases involves itraconazole (10 mg/kg, PO, q 24 h for 6
weeks) and topical treatment with chlorhexidine solution. Serum biochemistry should be
monitored for signs of liver toxicity. Surgical excision of lesions should be carried out if
possible, and in conjunction with medical therapy.

Prevention and control

Prevention of CANV infection in captive reptiles should focus on reducing the fungal load, with
attention being paid to regular substrate changes and good hygiene in captive situations.
Providing optimal heating for captive reptiles is also important as infection appears to be more
common at low ambient temperatures (pers.obs.).

Surveillance and management

There is no targeted surveillance for CANV. There is no AUSVETPLAN or Import Risk
Analysis for CANV.

Statistics
There is no information available on CANV infection in the National Wildlife Health
Surveillance Database (http://www.wildlifehealth.org.au/AWHN/home.aspx). NOTE: access to
this dataset is restricted. If you would like access please contact awhn@zoo.nsw.gov.au.

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Research
Research is required to determine the incidence of CANV infection in both captive and free
living reptiles. Continuing research into the origin and nature of the CANV as a reptile
pathogen is being undertaken at Toronto Zoo.

Human health implications

CANV infection has been reported in humans. The fungus was isolated from a brain abscess
in an HIV-infected human in Nigeria (Steininger et al 2005) and from a groin lesion in an
immunosuppressed man in California (Par and Jacobson 2007). The source of infection was
unknown.

Conclusions
In Australia outbreaks of CANV infection have occurred in farmed crocodiles and more
recently in captive bearded dragons. Overseas the fungus has been found to be a significant
primary pathogen of the skin in bearded dragons. As the fungus is easily spread by contact,
wildlife carers and veterinarians caring for captive and free living reptiles need to be vigilant in
preventing the spread of the CANV. Further studies are warranted to understand fully the
origin and nature of the CANV as a reptile pathogen, and its significance as a primary
pathogen in reptiles in Australia, both captive and free living.

References and other information

Abarca M L, Martorell J, Castell G, Ramis, A and Cabaes FJ. Cutaneous
hyalohyphomycosis caused by a Chrysosporium species related to Nannizziopsis vriesii in
two green iguanas (Iguana iguana). Medical Mycology 2008;46:349-354.
Bowman MR, Par, JA, Sigler L, Naeser JP, Sladky KK, Hanley CS, Helmer P, Phillips LA,
Brower A and Porter R. Deep fungal dermatitis in three inland bearded dragons (Pogona
vitticeps) caused by the Chrysosporium anamorph of Nannizziopsis vriesii, Medical Mycology
2007;45:371-376.
Par JA, Coyle KA, Sigler L, Maas III AK and Mitchell RL (2006) Pathogenicity of the
Chrysosporium Anamorph of Nannizziopsis vriesii for veiled chameleons (Chamaeleo
calyptratus). Medical Mycology 2006;44:25-31.
Rose K. Wildlife health investigation manual. The Australian Registry of Wildlife Health,
Sydney, 2007.
Par J and Jacobson ER. Mycotic diseases of reptiles. In: Jacobson ER, editor. Infectious
Diseases and Pathology of Reptiles. CRC Press, Boca Raton, 2007:527-570.
Steininger C, van Lunzen J, Tintelnot K, Sobottka I, Rohde H, Ansver Horstkotte M and
Stellbrink HJ. Mycotic brain abscess caused by opportunistic reptile pathogen. Emerging
Infectious Diseases 2005;11:349-350.
Thomas A D, Sigler L, Peucker S, Norton J H and Nielan A. Chrysosporium anamorph of
Nannizziopsis vriesii associated with fatal cutaneous mycoses in the salt-water crocodile
(Crocodylus porosus) Medical Mycology 2002; 40:143-151.

Acknowledgements
The following people have had input into this document: Robert Johnson.
Updated: 4 August 2009

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To provide feedback on this fact sheet

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This fact sheet is managed by the Australian Wildlife Health Network for information purposes
only. Information contained in it is drawn from a variety of sources external to the Australian
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