Clostridia presence in bullfrog (Rana catesbeiana Shaw, 1802) mouth myiasis lesions

Abstract

It is described, in two different occurrences, the presence of clostridia in mouth lesions of bullfrog, Rana catesbeiana, caused by fly larvae of commercial froggery in São Paulo State, Brazil. The lesion determined in tongue and surrounding mucous a destruction with palate perforation near the eye and mouth bottom. The bacteriological research lead to the identification of Clostridium perfringens and Cl. sordellii, in the point of view of anaerobes. Among aerobes, it was found Citrobacter sp and Aeromonas sp, both opportunistic and well known as pathogens to anfibians, besides Escherichia coli and Shigella sp. The lesion contamination with aerobic bacteria associated with local blood circulation produced local necrosis, what contributed to the development of anaerobic agents.