Cervical necrotizing fasciitis and myositis in a western lowland gorilla (Gorilla gorilla gorilla)

M Allender, University of Tennessee - Knoxville
Stephanie L. McCain, University of Tennessee - Knoxville
Edward C. Ramsay, University of Tennessee, Knoxville
Juergen P. Schumacher, University of Tennessee - Knoxville
MRS Ilha, University of Tennessee - Knoxville

Abstract

A 39-yr-old wild-caught, female western lowland gorilla (Gorilla gorilla gorilla) died during an immobilization to assess swelling and apparent pain of the cervical region. Necropsy revealed a fistulous tract containing plant material in the oropharynx, above the soft palate, communicating with a left-sided cervical necrotizing fasciitis and myositis. Alpha-hemolytic Streptococcus and Prevotella sp. were isolated from the cervical lesion. This is a report of cervical necrotizing fasciitis in a western lowland gorilla.