First identification of a patent pentastomid pulmonary (Raillietiella orientalis) infection in a captive Meller's chameleon (Trioceros melleri) in Germany

• DOI: 10.1016/j.ijppaw.2025.101045
• Publication Date: 2025-02-03T17:02:09Z
• Authors: Paula Sapion-Miranda; David Ebmer; Edwin Kniha; Julia Walochnik; Saskia Dreyer; Dominik Fischer; Lisa Grund; Anja Taubert; Carlos Hermosilla; Malek J. Hallinger
• Keywords: Identification; Pulmonary infection

A female, zoo-housed, adult Meller's giant one-horned chameleon (Trioceros melleri) showed clinical symptoms including halitosis, obstipation, dysecdysis and shed pentastomid eggs with the faeces. After a patent pentastomiasis was diagnosed, chameleon's condition worsened after repeated ivermectin treatments, animal euthanized due to welfare reasons. The necropsy revealed that lungs were infected 29 specimens. Based on morphological ultrastructural characteristics pentastomids identified as Raillietiella orientalis. Additionally, this species identification confirmed by DNA sequencing (18S rRNA). Pentastomid-infected insects, such cockroaches, might play an important role in transmission of R. orientalis suitable obligate intermediate hosts. Another crucial factor be considered is importation wild caught individuals, providing potential source for numerous emerging infectious disease transmissions parasite spillovers. This first report, best our knowledge, pulmonary infection captive chameleon. We call further investigations neglected infections chameleons lizards kept pets better understand implications new host record its possible pentastomiasis.