PMC10213272_01
An adult of unknown age, intact male Eastern box turtle (Terrapene carolina carolina) with a mass was observed occupying the entire orbit of the left eye and right forelimb on the plantar and lateral aspect of the foot.
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F1
One mass was occupying the entire left orbit and along the right forelimb on the plantar and lateral aspect of the foot (Figure 1). There was a moderate expansion of the left periorbital tissue by an approximately 2.0 x 2.0 x 0.7 cm, soft, tan to gray, multilobulated mass which obscured the left orbit and partially covered the globe (Figure 1).
Systemic Exophiala equina infection in an Eastern box turtle (Terrapene carolina carolina). (A) Histologically, the dermis and subcutis of the right front foot were markedly expanded and replaced by coalescing granulomas (arrowheads). H&E stain. Bar size= 400 mum. (B) Granulomas contained large numbers of central pigmented fungal hyphae and yeast-like cells mixed with eosinophilic necrotic debris (arrows). Hyphae measured approximately 5 um to 7 um in diameter with parallel walls and regular septation. Yeast-like cells were irregularly ovoid and ranged from 7 um to 20 um in diameter and occasionally formed chains (pseudohyphae). Fungal organisms were surrounded by large numbers of Langhans multinucleated giant cells (asterisks), epithelioid macrophages. H&E stain. Bar size= 50 mum.
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F2
Histologically, the dermis, subcutis of the right front foot, and left periocular subcutaneous tissue were markedly expanded and replaced by coalescing granulomas (Figure 2A) containing abundant central pigmented fungal hyphae and yeast-like cells, single or forming chains with vesicle swellings mixed with eosinophilic necrotic debris (Figure 2B).