• Abscess/granuloma formation in invertebrates primarily occurs as a result of less-than-optimal captive care conditions. • Poor hygiene (e.g., poor water quality, dirty environment), inadequate environmental conditions (e.g., low or excessive temperature and humidity), inadequate nutrition, and trauma may predispose invertebrates to abscess formation. • The most common pathogens isolated from invertebrate abscesses/granulomas are opportunistic bacteria. • Fungal pathogens (e.g., Mucor spp., Paeciliomyces spp.) have been associated with abscess formation in invertebrates and are most commonly associated with arachnids and crustaceans. • Most of the pathogens isolated from invertebrates are opportunistic organisms from the host’s environment. In collections, it is generally only a single animal that will be found to have disease, although with more virulent organisms, dissemination of the disease into other conspecifics may occur. • Most of the organisms associated with abscess formation in invertebrates have zoonotic potential. • Individuals working with these animals should wash their hands and disinfect any equipment used to handle or sample the animals immediately after completing the examination.
Abscesses/Granulomas
Basic Information
Epidemiology
Risk Factors
Contagion and Zoonosis
Many of these organisms are Gram-negative (e.g., Pseudomonas spp., Proteus spp., Serratia spp., Vibrio spp.), although Gram-positive organisms (e.g., Clostridium spp.) can also cause disease.
Abscesses/Granulomas
