Molecular Characterization and Clinicopathological Findings of Mycoplasma pogonae Infection in Captive Central Bearded Dragons (Pogona vitticeps)
by
, , , , , and
Tithipong Plangsangmas
1,2
,
Alexandra Burne
3
,
Eliana De Luca
4,
Emi Sasaki
4,
Jose Cesar Menk Pinto Lima
4,
Kelsey Konopka
3,
Mary B. Brown
3 and
Javier G. Nevarez
1,* 1
Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, Louisiana State University School of Veterinary Medicine, Baton Rouge, LA 70803, USA
2
Department of Science, Technology, and Innovation, Faculty of Science, Chulabhorn Royal Academy, Lak Si, Bangkok 10210, Thailand
3
Department of Infectious Diseases and Immunology, University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine, Gainesville, FL 32608, USA
4
Louisiana Animal Diagnostic Disease Laboratory, Department of Pathobiological Sciences, Louisiana State University School of Veterinary Medicine, Baton Rouge, LA 70803, USA
*
Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Animals 2026, 16(1), 48; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani16010048
Submission received: 14 November 2025
/
Revised: 15 December 2025
/
Accepted: 17 December 2025
/
Published: 24 December 2025
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Reptile and Amphibian Infectious Diseases)
Simple Summary
Between August and November 2023, a disease outbreak affected a research colony of 33 juvenile central bearded dragons in the USA. The dragons exhibited clinical signs including dehydration, lethargy, weight loss, difficulty breathing (dyspnea), and sudden death, resulting in six deaths. A full investigation, using molecular diagnostics and whole-genome sequencing, identified Mycoplasma pogonae as the cause. Pathological findings confirmed pneumonia in all affected animals, with various inflammatory cell types observed (histiocytic, lymphocytic, granulocytic, and heterophilic). This study suggests that M. pogonae has the ability to cause severe illness and mortality in captive bearded dragons.
Abstract
From August to November 2023, a disease outbreak occurred in a research colony of 33 mixed-sex, five-month-old central bearded dragons obtained from a private breeder in the USA. Clinical presentation consisted primarily of dehydration, lethargy, inappetence, weight loss, neck extension, sporadic open mouth breathing indicating dyspnea, and sudden death. A total of six deaths occurred during this period. Pathological investigation followed by molecular diagnostics and whole-genome sequencing revealed Mycoplasma pogonae as the cause of disease. Pneumonia (5/6) was diagnosed from necropsy. Types of pneumonia included histiocytic (1/5), combined histiocytic and lymphocytic (2/5), histiocytic and granulocytic (1/5), and heterophilic pneumonia (1/5). Our results confirmed that M. pogonae infection is associated with sudden mortality in a colony of captive central bearded dragons in the USA and that M. pogonae has a potential pathogenic role as a primary infectious agent.
