Dermatomycosis associated with Nannizziopsis arthrosporioides in a breeding colony of gecko ( Correlophus ciliatus and Rhacodactylus auriculatus )

ABSTRACT This report describes lethal Nannizziopsis-associated dermatomycosis in a breeding colony of the family Diplodactylidae ( Correlophus ciliatus and Rhacodactylus auriculatus ). After introducing one gecko from overseas, three with indirect contact history died due to severe skin lesions. Extensive lesions were observed on the toe pads and ventral surface, along with necrotic dermatitis and cellulitis associated with fungi forming hyphae. Subsequently, four geckos developed diarrhea, melena, emaciation, and fungal dermatitis of the toe pads and died. Histopathologically, the fungal morphologies observed in the skin lesions of the seven geckos were consistent, and Nannizziopsis arthrosporioides was isolated and identified in two of them. To our knowledge, this is the first report of a fatal outbreak of N. arthrosporioides in geckos.