MYCOBACTERIOSIS,<i>MYCOBACTERIUM CHELONAE</i>, IN A CAPTIVE YELLOW STINGRAY (<i>UROBATIS JAMAICENSIS</i>)

Abstract

An adult yellow stingray (Urobatis jamaicensis) from a touch-tank exhibit developed a large abscess on the dorsal aspect of the calvarium and swollen soft tissue surrounding the left spiracle. A large amount of fluid exudate was drained from the abscess. Mycobacterium chelonae was diagnosed by cytology of the exudate and by polymerase chain reaction and sequencing. The animal was euthanized and disseminated mycobacteriosis was confirmed with histology.