Dermatitis caused by Dermatophilus congolensis in a zoo polar bear (Ursus maritimus)

Dermatophilosis caused by Dermatophilus congolensis has a wide host range, including cattle, horses, camels, and bears. The present case was characterized by severe exudative dermatitis with thick scab formation on the face and whole body of a polar bear in Seoul Zoo, Korea. For diagnosis, fresh crusts from the face were minced with several drops of normal saline, smeared on a glass slide, stained with Diff-Quick^® and examined microscopically. Dermatophilus congolensis organisms were observed as several parallel rows of gram-positive cocci resembling railroad tracks. Recovery was dramatic with intramuscular procaine penicillin therapy. Bathing in warm, salty water was effective to soften the skin lesions and remove the debris.