Select Protozoal Diseases in Amphibians and Reptiles: A Report for the Infectious Diseases Committee, American Association of Zoo Veterinarians

Abstract

There are a plethora of presumed protozoal infections in amphibians and reptiles, most of which are known only by anecdotal information. The protozoologists have many years of work ahead of them characterizing and reclassifying protozoa. In addition, research into normal and abnormal flora, life cycles, vectors and modes of transmission is in order. For practitioners, a rapid, reliable, and simplistic means of identification of this vastly diverse group down to the specific level must be devised. Controlled studies must be undertaken to assess under what conditions a species of protozoa may be pathogenic or non-pathogenic. Drugs and dosages for treatment of various protozoal conditions must be worked out for each host species. In short, as in so many other areas of zoological medicine, we have more questions than answers.