Chrysosporium anamorph of Nannizziopsis vriesii (CANV) diagnosed in several bearded dragons
Written by Dr. Gayman Helman, Amarillo Resident Director
With over 800,000 tests run annually, TVMDL encounters many challenging cases. Our case study series will highlight these interesting cases to increase awareness among veterinary and diagnostic communities.
In the past 6 months, TVMDL has received skin biopsy samples from several bearded dragon lizards with a patchy dermatitis that grossly presents as discolored skin with a crusty surface. Microscopic evaluation showed marked hyperkeratosis and mixed leukocytic infiltrates in the upper dermis (Figure 1). A PAS stain revealed the presence of fungal hyphal elements in the thick surface layer of keratin (Figure 2). The clinical picture and microscopic lesions are typical of dermatitis due to surface infection with the fungus Nannizziopsis vriesii, formerly named Chrysosporium anamorph of Nannizziopsis vriesii (CANV). CANV is spread as a contact infection. Damaged skin, poor husbandry, and/or poorly maintained environments provide an avenue for the infection to initiate. The infection does not resolve spontaneously, but rather requires intervention by a veterinarian.
To learn more about this case, contact Dr. Gayman Helman, Resident Director, at the TVMDL Amarillo facility or Dr. Eric Snook, veterinary pathologist, at the College Station facility. For more information on tests and services offered by TVMDL, call 979.845.3414 or visit tvmdl.tamu.edu.
Figure 1
Figure 2