Detection of Viable Nannizziopsis guarroi in Housing Environments Prior to Dermatological Lesion Development in Bearded Dragons (Pogona vitticeps)

<i>Nannizziopsis guarroi</i> causes dermatomycosis in lizards and snakes. Little is known about the environment's role in transmission of the fungus. The environments of bearded dragons experimentally inoculated with <i>N. guarroi</i> were cultured weekly to assess the presence of viable <i>N. guarroi</i>. Four of six (4/6, 66.67%) enclosures demonstrated an environmental presence of <i>N. guarroi</i> prior to the observation of clinical lesions in the bearded dragon housed there. The environments were positive for <i>N. guarroi</i> growth 7-28 days prior to lesion development. The environment should be considered as a potential site of infection for naïve reptile hosts and environmental seeding may occur prior to the development of clinical nannizziomycosis in exposed lizards.