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Graham EA, Los Kamp EW, Thompson NM, Tillis SB, Childress AL, Wellehan JFX, Walden HDS, Ossiboff RJ. Proliferative strongyloidiasis in a colony of colubrid snakes. Vet Pathol 2024; 61:109-118. [PMID: 37458163 DOI: 10.1177/03009858231186391] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/18/2023]
Abstract
Strongyloides are small rhabditid nematodes primarily associated with enteric disease in a variety of animal species, including reptiles. Strongyloides spp life stages were associated with a disease outbreak in a large breeding colony of snakes. Multiple Pantherophis and Lampropeltis colubrids exhibited respiratory distress, anorexia, stomatitis, facial deformation, and waning body condition that resulted in death or necessitated euthanasia. Postmortem examinations of 13 snakes revealed epithelial hyperplasia and inflammation of the alimentary and respiratory tracts associated with varying numbers of adult and larval nematodes and embryonated or larvated ova. In a subset of snakes, aberrant nematode migration was also observed in the eye, genitourinary system, coelom, and vasculature. Histomorphology and gross examination of parasitic adult female nematodes from host tissues were consistent with a Strongyloides spp. Sedimented fecal material from 101/160 (63%) snakes housed in the affected facility was positive for nematodes and/or larvated ova. Polymerase chain reaction amplification and sequencing of portions of the 18S and 28S ribosomal ribonucleic acid (RNA) genes and the internal transcribed spacer region of adult female parasites and positive fecal samples supported the diagnosis of strongyloidiasis. Strongyloides spp possess a unique life cycle capable of alternating between parasitic (homogonic) and free-living (heterogonic) stages, resulting in the production of directly infective larvae. Commonly utilized husbandry practices in reptile collections can amplify the numbers of infective larvae generated in the captive environment, increasing the risk for rhabditid hyperinfections. This report documents morbidity, mortality, and non-enteric disease manifestations due to Strongyloides hyperinfections in a captive colubrid snake colony.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erin A Graham
- University of Georgia, Tifton, GA
- University of Florida, Gainesville, FL
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Pees M, Brockmann M, Steiner N, Marschang RE. Salmonella in reptiles: a review of occurrence, interactions, shedding and risk factors for human infections. Front Cell Dev Biol 2023; 11:1251036. [PMID: 37822870 PMCID: PMC10562597 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2023.1251036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2023] [Accepted: 09/11/2023] [Indexed: 10/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Salmonella are considered a part of the normal reptile gut microbiota, but have also been associated with disease in reptiles. Reptile-associated salmonellosis (RAS) can pose a serious health threat to humans, especially children, and an estimated 6% of human sporadic salmonellosis cases have been attributed to direct or indirect contact with reptiles, although the exact number is not known. Two literature searches were conducted for this review. The first evaluated reports of the prevalence of Salmonella in the intestinal tracts of healthy reptiles. Salmonella were most commonly detected in snakes (56.0% overall), followed by lizards (36.9%) and tortoises (34.2%), with lower detection rates reported for turtles (18.6%) and crocodilians (9%). Reptiles in captivity were significantly more likely to shed Salmonella than those sampled in the wild. The majority of Salmonella strains described in reptiles belonged to subspecies I (70.3%), followed by subspecies IIIb (29.7%) and subspecies II (19.6%). The second literature search focused on reports of RAS, revealing that the highest number of cases was associated with contact with turtles (35.3%), followed by lizards (27.1%) and snakes (20.0%). Reptiles associated with RAS therefore did not directly reflect prevalence of Salmonella reported in healthy representatives of a given reptile group. Clinical symptoms associated with RAS predominantly involved the gastrointestinal tract, but also included fever, central nervous symptoms, problems with circulation, respiratory symptoms and others. Disease caused by Salmonella in reptiles appears to be dependent on additional factors, including stress, inadequate husbandry and hygiene, and other infectious agents. While it has been suggested that reptile serovars may cause more severe disease than human-derived strains, and some data is available on invasiveness of individual strains in cell culture, limited information is available on potential mechanisms influencing invasiveness and immune evasion in reptiles and in RAS. Strategies to mitigate the spread of Salmonella through reptiles and to reduce RAS focus mostly on education and hygiene, and have often been met with some success, but additional efforts are needed. Many aspects regarding Salmonella in reptiles remain poorly understood, including the mechanisms by which Salmonella persist in reptile hosts without causing disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Pees
- Department of Small Mammal, Reptile and Avian Diseases, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Hanover, Germany
| | | | - Natalie Steiner
- Department of Small Mammal, Reptile and Avian Diseases, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Hanover, Germany
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Pees M, Möller A, Schmidt V, Schroedl W, Marschang RE. The Role of Host Species in Experimental Ferlavirus Infection: Comparison of a Single Strain in Ball Pythons ( Python regius) and Corn Snakes ( Pantherophis guttatus). Animals (Basel) 2023; 13:2714. [PMID: 37684978 PMCID: PMC10486531 DOI: 10.3390/ani13172714] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2023] [Revised: 06/26/2023] [Accepted: 08/23/2023] [Indexed: 09/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Ferlaviruses are a cause of respiratory disease in snakes. Four genogroups (A, B, C, and tortoise) have been described. Disease development is believed to depend on virus, host, and environment-specific factors. There is evidence of transmission of individual strains between genera and families of reptiles. A genogroup B virus previously used in a transmission study with corn snakes (Pantherophis guttatus) was applied intratracheally in ball pythons (Python regius) using the same protocol as for the corn snakes. Ball pythons became infected, with initial mild clinical signs noted four days post infection (p.i.), and the virus was detected first in the lungs on day 4 and spread to the intestine, pancreas, kidney and brain. Hematology showed an increase in circulating lymphocytes which peaked on day 28 p.i. Antibodies were detected beginning on day 16 and increased steadily to the end of the study. In comparison to corn snakes, ball pythons exhibited milder clinical signs and pathological changes, faster development of and higher antibody titers, and a hematological reaction dominated by lymphocytosis in contrast to heterophilia in corn snakes. These differences in host reaction to infection are important to understand ferlavirus epidemiology as well as for clinical medicine and diagnostic testing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Pees
- Department of Small Mammal, Reptile and Avian Medicine, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, 30559 Hanover, Germany
| | | | - Volker Schmidt
- Clinic for Birds and Reptiles, Veterinary Teaching Hospital, University of Leipzig, 04103 Leipzig, Germany;
| | - Wieland Schroedl
- Institute of Bacteriology and Mycology, University of Leipzig, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
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Dégi J, Herman V, Radulov I, Morariu F, Florea T, Imre K. Surveys on Pet-Reptile-Associated Multi-Drug-Resistant Salmonella spp. in the Timișoara Metropolitan Region-Western Romania. Antibiotics (Basel) 2023; 12:1203. [PMID: 37508299 PMCID: PMC10376298 DOI: 10.3390/antibiotics12071203] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2023] [Revised: 07/10/2023] [Accepted: 07/18/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
The number of reptiles owned as pets has risen worldwide. Additionally, urban expansion has resulted in more significant human encroachment and interactions with the habitats of captive reptiles. Between May and October 2022, 48 reptiles from pet shops and 69 from households were sampled in the Timișoara metropolitan area (western Romania). Three different sample types were collected from each reptile: oral cavity, skin, and cloacal swabs. Salmonella identification was based on ISO 6579-1:2017 (Annex D), a molecular testing method (invA gene target), and strains were serotyped in accordance with the Kauffman-White-Le-Minor technique; the antibiotic susceptibility was assessed according to Decision 2013/652. This study showed that 43.28% of the pet reptiles examined from households and pet shops carried Salmonella spp. All of the strains isolated presented resistance to at least one antibiotic, and 79.32% (23/29) were multi-drug-resistant strains, with the most frequently observed resistances being to gentamicin, nitrofurantion, tobramycin, and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole. The findings of the study undertaken by our team reveal that reptile multi-drug-resistant Salmonella is present. Considering this aspect, the most effective way of preventing multi-drug-resistant Salmonella infections requires stringent hygiene control in reptile pet shops as well as ensuring proper animal handling once the animals leave the pet shop and are introduced into households.
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Affiliation(s)
- János Dégi
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Preventive Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Life Sciences "King Mihai I", 300645 Timisoara, Romania
| | - Viorel Herman
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Preventive Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Life Sciences "King Mihai I", 300645 Timisoara, Romania
| | - Isidora Radulov
- Faculty of Agriculture, University of Life Sciences "King Mihai I", 300645 Timisoara, Romania
| | - Florica Morariu
- Department of Animal Production Engineering, Faculty of Bioengineering of Animal Recourses, University of Life Sciences "King Mihai I", 300645 Timisoara, Romania
| | - Tiana Florea
- Department of Dermatology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Life Sciences "King Mihai I", 300645 Timisoara, Romania
| | - Kálmán Imre
- Department of Animal Production and Veterinary Public Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Life Sciences "King Mihai I", 300645 Timisoara, Romania
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Oh S, Park SH, Choi JH, Kim SL, Kim M, Lee S, Yi MH, Lee IY, Yong TS, Kim JY. The microbiota in feces of domestic pigeons in Seoul, Korea. Heliyon 2023; 9:e14997. [PMID: 37095944 PMCID: PMC10121612 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e14997] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2022] [Revised: 03/22/2023] [Accepted: 03/23/2023] [Indexed: 03/31/2023] Open
Abstract
In Korea, feral pigeons pose significant public health risks because they carry various zoonotic pathogens. Human population density is a significant factor in zoonotic disease events. Seoul is one of the largest cities by population density among developed countries and where most of the homeless population in Korea exists. We designed this study to compare the microbiota of pigeon feces by regional characteristics and the presence of homeless individuals. Therefore, this study used 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing to detect possible pathogenic microbes and assess the current risk of zoonosis in Seoul, South Korea. Pigeon fecal samples (n = 144) obtained from 19 public sites (86 and 58 fecal samples from regions in and outside Seoul, respectively) were examined. Potentially pathogenic bacteria were also detected in the fecal samples; Campylobacter spp. was found in 19 samples from 13 regions, Listeriaceae was found in seven samples, and Chlamydia spp. was found in three samples from two regions. Principal coordinates analysis and permutational multivariate analysis of variance revealed a significant difference in bacterial composition between the regions in Seoul (n = 86) and outside Seoul (n = 58) and between the regions with (n = 81) and without (n = 63) homeless individuals. Overall, this study identified various potentially pathogenic microorganisms in pigeon feces at public sites in South Korea. Moreover, this study demonstrates that the microbial composition was influenced by regional characteristics and homelessness. Taken together, this study provides important information for public health strategic planning and disease control.
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Marin C, Martín-Maldonado B, Cerdà-Cuéllar M, Sevilla-Navarro S, Lorenzo-Rebenaque L, Montoro-Dasi L, Manzanares A, Ayats T, Mencía-Gutiérrez A, Jordá J, González F, Rojo-Solís C, Barros C, García-Párraga D, Vega S. Antimicrobial Resistant Salmonella in Chelonians: Assessing Its Potential Risk in Zoological Institutions in Spain. Vet Sci 2022; 9:vetsci9060264. [PMID: 35737316 PMCID: PMC9230454 DOI: 10.3390/vetsci9060264] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2022] [Revised: 05/26/2022] [Accepted: 05/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Salmonella is mostly noted as a food-borne pathogen, but contact with chelonians has also been reported as a source of infection. Moreover, high levels of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) have been reported in Salmonella isolated from wild and captive reptiles. The aim of this study was to assess the occurrence of Salmonella AMR carriage by chelonians admitted to two zoological institutions in Spain, characterizing the isolates to assess the Salmonella AMR epidemiology in wildlife. To this end, 152 chelonians from nine species were sampled upon their arrival at the zoological nuclei. Salmonella identification was based on ISO 6579-1:2017 (Annex D), isolates were serotyped and their AMR analysed according to the EU Decision 2013/652. Moreover, the genetic relationship of the isolates was assessed by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE). Results showed 19% (29/152) of the chelonians positive to Salmonella, all of them tortoises. For all isolates, 69% (20/29) were resistant and 34% (10/29) multidrug-resistant (MDR) strains. PFGE clustered isolates according to the serovar, confirming a low genetic diversity. In conclusion, this study shows a high presence of MDR Salmonella strains in tortoises at their entry into zoological nuclei. This condition highlights the need to establish Salmonella detection protocols for the entry of animals into these centres.
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Affiliation(s)
- Clara Marin
- Facultad de Veterinaria, Instituto de Ciencias Biomédicas, Universidad Cardenal Herrera-CEU, CEU Universities, 46113 Alfara del Patriarca, Spain; (S.S.-N.); (L.L.-R.); (L.M.-D.); (J.J.); (S.V.)
- Grupo Estudio de la Medicina y Conservación de la Fauna Silvestre (GEMAS), 28220 Majadahonda, Spain; (B.M.-M.); (A.M.-G.); (F.G.)
- Correspondence:
| | - Bárbara Martín-Maldonado
- Grupo Estudio de la Medicina y Conservación de la Fauna Silvestre (GEMAS), 28220 Majadahonda, Spain; (B.M.-M.); (A.M.-G.); (F.G.)
- Grupo de Rehabilitación de la Fauna Autóctona y su Hábitat (GREFA), 28220 Majadahonda, Spain
- Deparment of Veterinary Medicine, School of Biomedical and Health Sciences, Universidad Europea de Madrid, 28670 Villaviciosa de Odón, Spain
| | - Marta Cerdà-Cuéllar
- Unitat mixta d’Investigació IRTA-UAB en Sanitat Animal, Centre de Recerca en Sanitat Animal (CReSA), Campus de la Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), 08193 Bellaterra, Spain; (M.C.-C.); (A.M.); (T.A.)
- IRTA, Programa de Sanitat Animal, Centre de Recerca en Sanitat Animal (CReSA), Campus de la Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), 08193 Bellaterra, Spain
| | - Sandra Sevilla-Navarro
- Facultad de Veterinaria, Instituto de Ciencias Biomédicas, Universidad Cardenal Herrera-CEU, CEU Universities, 46113 Alfara del Patriarca, Spain; (S.S.-N.); (L.L.-R.); (L.M.-D.); (J.J.); (S.V.)
- Centro de Calidad Avícola y Alimentación Animal de la Comunidad Valenciana (CECAV), 12539 Les Alqueries, Spain
| | - Laura Lorenzo-Rebenaque
- Facultad de Veterinaria, Instituto de Ciencias Biomédicas, Universidad Cardenal Herrera-CEU, CEU Universities, 46113 Alfara del Patriarca, Spain; (S.S.-N.); (L.L.-R.); (L.M.-D.); (J.J.); (S.V.)
| | - Laura Montoro-Dasi
- Facultad de Veterinaria, Instituto de Ciencias Biomédicas, Universidad Cardenal Herrera-CEU, CEU Universities, 46113 Alfara del Patriarca, Spain; (S.S.-N.); (L.L.-R.); (L.M.-D.); (J.J.); (S.V.)
| | - Alicia Manzanares
- Unitat mixta d’Investigació IRTA-UAB en Sanitat Animal, Centre de Recerca en Sanitat Animal (CReSA), Campus de la Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), 08193 Bellaterra, Spain; (M.C.-C.); (A.M.); (T.A.)
- IRTA, Programa de Sanitat Animal, Centre de Recerca en Sanitat Animal (CReSA), Campus de la Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), 08193 Bellaterra, Spain
| | - Teresa Ayats
- Unitat mixta d’Investigació IRTA-UAB en Sanitat Animal, Centre de Recerca en Sanitat Animal (CReSA), Campus de la Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), 08193 Bellaterra, Spain; (M.C.-C.); (A.M.); (T.A.)
- IRTA, Programa de Sanitat Animal, Centre de Recerca en Sanitat Animal (CReSA), Campus de la Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), 08193 Bellaterra, Spain
| | - Aida Mencía-Gutiérrez
- Grupo Estudio de la Medicina y Conservación de la Fauna Silvestre (GEMAS), 28220 Majadahonda, Spain; (B.M.-M.); (A.M.-G.); (F.G.)
- Grupo de Rehabilitación de la Fauna Autóctona y su Hábitat (GREFA), 28220 Majadahonda, Spain
| | - Jaume Jordá
- Facultad de Veterinaria, Instituto de Ciencias Biomédicas, Universidad Cardenal Herrera-CEU, CEU Universities, 46113 Alfara del Patriarca, Spain; (S.S.-N.); (L.L.-R.); (L.M.-D.); (J.J.); (S.V.)
| | - Fernando González
- Grupo Estudio de la Medicina y Conservación de la Fauna Silvestre (GEMAS), 28220 Majadahonda, Spain; (B.M.-M.); (A.M.-G.); (F.G.)
- Grupo de Rehabilitación de la Fauna Autóctona y su Hábitat (GREFA), 28220 Majadahonda, Spain
| | - Carlos Rojo-Solís
- Oceanogràfic Veterinary Services, Avanqua Oceanogàfic S.L., C/Eduardo Primo Yúfera (Científic) nº1B, 46013 Valencia, Spain; (C.R.-S.); (C.B.); (D.G.-P.)
| | - Carlos Barros
- Oceanogràfic Veterinary Services, Avanqua Oceanogàfic S.L., C/Eduardo Primo Yúfera (Científic) nº1B, 46013 Valencia, Spain; (C.R.-S.); (C.B.); (D.G.-P.)
| | - Daniel García-Párraga
- Oceanogràfic Veterinary Services, Avanqua Oceanogàfic S.L., C/Eduardo Primo Yúfera (Científic) nº1B, 46013 Valencia, Spain; (C.R.-S.); (C.B.); (D.G.-P.)
| | - Santiago Vega
- Facultad de Veterinaria, Instituto de Ciencias Biomédicas, Universidad Cardenal Herrera-CEU, CEU Universities, 46113 Alfara del Patriarca, Spain; (S.S.-N.); (L.L.-R.); (L.M.-D.); (J.J.); (S.V.)
- Grupo Estudio de la Medicina y Conservación de la Fauna Silvestre (GEMAS), 28220 Majadahonda, Spain; (B.M.-M.); (A.M.-G.); (F.G.)
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Claunch NM, Bartoszek IA, Tillis S, Stacy NI, Ossiboff RJ, Oakey S, Schoenle LA, Wellehan JFX, Romagosa CM. Physiological effects of capture and short-term captivity in an invasive snake species, the Burmese python (Python bivittatus) in Florida. Comp Biochem Physiol A Mol Integr Physiol 2022; 267:111162. [PMID: 35149178 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbpa.2022.111162] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2021] [Revised: 02/04/2022] [Accepted: 02/04/2022] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
It is important to evaluate the role of captivity as a potential stressor. An understanding of stress responses to capture and transition to captivity may inform the limitations of laboratory studies on wild animals, aid in understanding the consequences of introducing animals into captive environments, and help predict which species may be successful invasives. We investigated physiological effects of captivity by comparing at-capture blood variables in wild Burmese pythons (Python bivittatus) in Florida to pythons recently brought into captivity (1-109 days). We conducted an acute restraint test by collecting samples at baseline (immediately at handling) and one hour post-restraint across wild field-sampled (n = 19) and recently-captive (n = 33) pythons to evaluate fluctuations in plasma corticosterone, bacterial killing ability, antibody response, leukogram, and serpentovirus infection. We observed higher baseline plasma corticosterone and monocytes in recently captive compared to wild snakes, which both subsided in snakes held for a longer time in captivity, and a mild decrease in lymphocytes in the middle of the captivity period. Functional immunity and viral infection were not affected by captivity, and pythons maintained restraint-induced responses in corticosterone, heterophil to lymphocyte ratio, and monocyte counts throughout captivity. Prevalence for serpentovirus was 50%, though infection status was related to sampling date rather than captivity, indicating that viral infection may be seasonal. The history of Burmese python as a common captive animal for research and pet trade, as well as its general resilience to effects of capture and short-term captivity, may contribute to its invasion success in Florida.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalie M Claunch
- School of Natural Resources and Environment, University of Florida, USA.
| | | | - Steve Tillis
- College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Florida, USA
| | - Nicole I Stacy
- College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Florida, USA
| | | | - Samantha Oakey
- College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, USA
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Ellerd R, Saleh MN, Luksovsky JL, Verocai GG. Endoparasites of pet reptiles and amphibians from exotic pet shows in Texas, United States. Vet Parasitol Reg Stud Reports 2022; 27:100671. [PMID: 35012730 DOI: 10.1016/j.vprsr.2021.100671] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2021] [Revised: 11/16/2021] [Accepted: 11/22/2021] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Reptiles and amphibians are becoming increasingly more common in the exotic pet trade and as such veterinary care is also rising. Parasitic infections can pose a serious threat to pet reptiles and amphibians and are a common finding in these exotic pets. The purpose of the present study was to determine the species composition of parasites among reptiles and amphibians entering the pet industry. Excreta were collected from 283 reptiles and amphibians (181 geckos, 23 chameleons, 21 frogs, 16 tortoises, 11 snakes, 1 caiman, and 31 other lizard species), representing 58 different species. Samples were collected from animals being sold at exotic pet shows in Texas, USA, where breeders from throughout the United States gathered to showcase their exotic pets. Excreta samples were tested using double centrifugation flotation with Sheather's sucrose solution. Endoparasites were identified in 51.9% of samples. The most prevalent helminth parasite among reptiles and amphibians were Pharyngodonidae (44.5%) nematodes. Oocysts of coccidians such as Isospora, Eimeria, and Choleoeimeria, and cysts of the ciliate Nyctotherus were also identified. The prevalence rates of endoparasites among animal groups ranged from 0 to 87.5%. The highest prevalence of infection was found in Testudines (87.5%), followed by Chamaeleonidae (87%), other lizards (76.7%), Amphibia (71.4%), Serpentes (63.6%), and then Gekkonidae (55.2%). No endoparasites were detected in the one Crocodylia sampled. Our results show that parasitic infections, many of which can cause clinical disease and mortality, are common in exotic reptiles and amphibians being sold or traded as pets in the United States, underlining the need for veterinary care and routine diagnostic screening for parasitic infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachel Ellerd
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA
| | - Meriam N Saleh
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA
| | - Joe L Luksovsky
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA
| | - Guilherme G Verocai
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA.
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Halán M, Kottferová L. Parasitic helminths in snakes from the global legal trade. Helminthologia 2021; 58:415-9. [PMID: 35095319 PMCID: PMC8776304 DOI: 10.2478/helm-2021-0041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2021] [Accepted: 10/14/2021] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
In recent years, the demand for snakes imported from different countries around the world has increased in Slovakia. However, such snakes can be infected with a wide variety of parasites. We have been focused on monitoring the prevalence of parasitic helminths of snakes imported to Slovakia. From 2015 to 2020, 205 samples were collected. We examined faecal samples of 185 live snakes, and a parasitological autopsy was performed on 20 carcasses. Out of a total of 205 snakes, parasitic helminths were found in 44 individuals (21.46 %). Coprological examination of live snakes confirmed positivity for the presence of helminths in 38 snakes (20.54 %). Through parasitological autopsy of all the dead snakes, we found helminths or their eggs in 6 carcasses (30.00 %). The genera of helminths found in the positive snakes were: Ophiotaenia spp., Kapsulotaenia spp., Strongyloides spp., Rhabdias spp., Ophidascaris spp., Ascaridia spp., f. Heterakidae, Kalicephalus spp., Capillaria spp., order Oxyurida and stages of the plerocercoid of an unidentifi ed species of tapeworm in the subcutaneous tissue.
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Amaral CB, Alves ACC, Peroba SC, Martins IVF. Coproparasitologic survey of gastrointestinal parasites in a captive leopard geckos collection (Eublepharis macularius). Vet Parasitol Reg Stud Reports 2021; 26:100617. [PMID: 34879929 DOI: 10.1016/j.vprsr.2021.100617] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2021] [Revised: 04/06/2021] [Accepted: 08/09/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
An increase in exotic animal imports has been noticed in the last decades worldwide. In this scenario, reptiles represent a quite popular group of interest as exotic pets. However, they can harbor pathogens that under inadequate captivity conditions can lead to disease expression and sometimes death. This study performed coprological analysis to investigate gastrointestinal parasites in a private collection of leopard geckos (E. macularius) relating the results with husbandry practices. Twenty-three geckos of 1 to 5 years, weighing 30-65 g, of both sexes were used. Freshly voided fecal samples were collected and centrifugal fecal float technique was performed using Sheather's sugar solution. 65,21% animals were positive for gastrointestinal parasites. No animal presented any clinical signs but previous loss was reported in the colony. Among affected animals, 93,3% presented oxyurid eggs, 33,33% Strongyloidea eggs and 26,66% presented mite eggs. Four animals were infected with both nematodes. The groups found are commonly reported in captive reptiles and, due to their direct life cycle, reinfection is common in captive animals. The husbandry practices proved to be insufficient and preventive measures such as quarantine were not adopted by the owner, which can compromise not only the reptiles health but also people who deal with them.
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11
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Abstract
Since their discovery in 2014, reptile nidoviruses (also known as serpentoviruses) have emerged as significant pathogens worldwide. They are known for causing severe and often fatal respiratory disease in various captive snake species, especially pythons. Related viruses have been detected in other reptiles with and without respiratory disease, including captive and wild populations of lizards, and wild populations of freshwater turtles. There are many opportunities to better understand the viral diversity, species susceptibility, and clinical presentation in different species in this relatively new field of research. In captive snake collections, reptile nidoviruses can spread quickly and be associated with high morbidity and mortality, yet the potential disease risk to wild reptile populations remains largely unknown, despite reptile species declining on a global scale. Experimental studies or investigations of disease outbreaks in wild reptile populations are scarce, leaving the available literature limited mostly to exploring findings of naturally infected animals in captivity. Further studies into the pathogenesis of different reptile nidoviruses in a variety of reptile species is required to explore the complexity of disease and routes of transmission. This review focuses on the biology of these viruses, hosts and geographic distribution, clinical signs and pathology, laboratory diagnosis and management of reptile nidovirus infections to better understand nidovirus infections in reptiles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kate Parrish
- Virology Laboratory, Elizabeth Macarthur Agricultural Institute, New South Wales (NSW) Department of Primary Industries, Menangle, NSW, Australia.,College of Public Health, Medical and Veterinary Sciences, James Cook University, Townsville, QLD, Australia
| | - Peter D Kirkland
- Virology Laboratory, Elizabeth Macarthur Agricultural Institute, New South Wales (NSW) Department of Primary Industries, Menangle, NSW, Australia.,College of Public Health, Medical and Veterinary Sciences, James Cook University, Townsville, QLD, Australia
| | - Lee F Skerratt
- Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, Melbourne Veterinary School, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Ellen Ariel
- College of Public Health, Medical and Veterinary Sciences, James Cook University, Townsville, QLD, Australia
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12
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Abstract
Managing the health of reptile and amphibian collections is centered on providing appropriate environmental parameters, husbandry conditions, and nutrition as well as maintaining good welfare and careful collection planning. Disease transmission is reduced through quarantine, appropriate diagnostic testing, and annual veterinary health assessment."
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Affiliation(s)
- Trent Charles van Zanten
- Conservation, Research and Veterinary Services, Wildlife Reserves Singapore, Jurong Bird Park, 2 Jurong Hill, Singapore 628925.
| | - Shane Craig Simpson
- The Unusual Pet Vets, 210 Karingal Drive, Frankston, Victoria 3199, Australia
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13
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Piewbang C, Wardhani SW, Poonsin P, Yostawonkul J, Chai-In P, Lacharoje S, Saengdet T, Vasaruchapong T, Boonrungsiman S, Kongmakee P, Banlunara W, Rungsipipat A, Kasantikul T, Techangamsuwan S. Epizootic reptilian ferlavirus infection in individual and multiple snake colonies with additional evidence of the virus in the male genital tract. Sci Rep 2021; 11:12731. [PMID: 34135426 PMCID: PMC8208991 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-92156-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2021] [Accepted: 06/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Reptilian ferlavirus, a pathogen of serious concern in snakes, has been reported in Western countries, but little is known about its prevalence in Thailand, where many snake breeding farms are located. In this study, we investigated the reptilian ferlavirus via swab samples derived from 49 diseased snakes and 77 healthy snakes as well as tissue samples taken from nine dead snakes from five independent snake farms. Using molecular detection, we found the ferlavirus in 8.16% of diseased snakes, but not in healthy snakes. Out of nine farmed snakes, eight snakes derived from four farms were found to be positive. Four complete genome sequences of the ferlavirus were successfully obtained and phylogenetically clustered to the highly pathogenic ferlavirus. Tissue tropism of the ferlavirus was identified in various epithelial cell types using the in situ hybridization technique. Interestingly, the hybridization signals were strongly labeled in the male genital tract. Transmission electron microscopy was used to support the ferlaviral localization in the male genital tract. This study provides the first evidence of ferlavirus localization in the male genital tract and contributes to the knowledge about ferlavirus epidemiology, indicating that there needs to be further awareness and elucidation regarding vertical transmission of reptilian ferlavirus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chutchai Piewbang
- Department of Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, 10330, Thailand.,Animal Virome and Diagnostic Development Research Group, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, 10330, Thailand
| | - Sabrina Wahyu Wardhani
- Animal Virome and Diagnostic Development Research Group, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, 10330, Thailand.,The International Graduate Course of Veterinary Science and Technology (VST), Faculty of Veterinary Science, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, 10330, Thailand
| | - Panida Poonsin
- Department of Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, 10330, Thailand.,Animal Virome and Diagnostic Development Research Group, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, 10330, Thailand
| | - Jakarwan Yostawonkul
- The International Graduate Course of Veterinary Science and Technology (VST), Faculty of Veterinary Science, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, 10330, Thailand
| | - Poowadon Chai-In
- National Nanotechnology Center (NANOTEC), National Science and Technology Development Agency (NSTDA), Thailand Science Park, Pathumthani, 12120, Thailand
| | - Sitthichok Lacharoje
- Department of Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, 10330, Thailand
| | - Thanyarat Saengdet
- Siam Serpentarium, Siam Park Recreation Co., Ltd., Bangkok, 10520, Thailand
| | - Taksa Vasaruchapong
- Snake Farm, Queen Saovabha Memorial Institute, The Thai Red Cross Society, Bangkok, 10330, Thailand
| | - Suwimon Boonrungsiman
- National Nanotechnology Center (NANOTEC), National Science and Technology Development Agency (NSTDA), Thailand Science Park, Pathumthani, 12120, Thailand
| | - Piyaporn Kongmakee
- The Zoological Park Organization under The Royal Patronage of H.M. The King, Bangkok, 10800, Thailand
| | - Wijit Banlunara
- Department of Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, 10330, Thailand
| | - Anudep Rungsipipat
- Department of Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, 10330, Thailand
| | - Tanit Kasantikul
- Clemson Veterinary Diagnostic Center, Clemson University, Columbia, SC, 29229, USA
| | - Somporn Techangamsuwan
- Department of Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, 10330, Thailand. .,Animal Virome and Diagnostic Development Research Group, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, 10330, Thailand.
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14
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Abstract
Since the 1970s, several species of herpesviruses have been identified and associated with significant diseases in reptiles. Earlier discoveries placed these viruses into different taxonomic groups on the basis of morphological and biological characteristics, while advancements in molecular methods have led to more recent descriptions of novel reptilian herpesviruses, as well as providing insight into the phylogenetic relationship of these viruses. Herpesvirus infections in reptiles are often characterised by non-pathognomonic signs including stomatitis, encephalitis, conjunctivitis, hepatitis and proliferative lesions. With the exception of fibropapillomatosis in marine turtles, the absence of specific clinical signs has fostered misdiagnosis and underreporting of the actual disease burden in reptilian populations and hampered potential investigations that could lead to the effective control of these diseases. In addition, complex life histories, sampling bias and poor monitoring systems have limited the assessment of the impact of herpesvirus infections in wild populations and captive collections. Here we review the current published knowledge of the taxonomy, pathogenesis, pathology and epidemiology of reptilian herpesviruses.
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Affiliation(s)
- God'spower Richard Okoh
- Division of Tropical Health and Medicine, College of Public Health, Medical and Veterinary Sciences, James Cook University, Townsville, QLD, Australia
| | - Paul F Horwood
- Division of Tropical Health and Medicine, College of Public Health, Medical and Veterinary Sciences, James Cook University, Townsville, QLD, Australia
| | - David Whitmore
- Division of Tropical Health and Medicine, College of Public Health, Medical and Veterinary Sciences, James Cook University, Townsville, QLD, Australia
| | - Ellen Ariel
- Division of Tropical Health and Medicine, College of Public Health, Medical and Veterinary Sciences, James Cook University, Townsville, QLD, Australia
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15
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Kwon J, Kim SG, Kim HJ, Giri SS, Kim SW, Lee SB, Park SC. Bacteriophage as an alternative to prevent reptile-associated Salmonella transmission. Zoonoses Public Health 2021; 68:131-143. [PMID: 33455089 DOI: 10.1111/zph.12804] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2020] [Revised: 12/25/2020] [Accepted: 12/26/2020] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
Salmonellosis is a major global public health issue; its most common infection, gastroenteritis, accounts for approximately 90 million illnesses and 150,000 mortalities per year. Eradicating salmonellosis requires surveillance, prevention and treatment, entailing large expenditures. However, it is difficult to control Salmonella transmission because it occurs via multiple routes; exotic reptiles are a reservoir of Salmonella and comprise one such route. As the popularity of exotic pets and animal exhibition has increased, human encounters with reptiles have also increased. As a result, reptile-associated salmonellosis (RAS) has been recognized as an emerging disease. The development of antimicrobial resistance in RAS-causing Salmonella sp. requires alternatives to antibiotics. In this study, bacteriophages have been established as an alternative to antibiotics because only target bacteria are lysed; thus, they are promising biocontrol agents. Here, bacteriophage pSal-SNUABM-02, which infects and lyses reptile Salmonella isolates, was isolated and characterized. The morphology, host range, growth traits and stability of the phage were investigated. The phage was assigned to Myoviridae and was stable in the following conditions: pH 5-9, 4-37°C, and ultravioletA/ultravioletB (UVA/UVB) exposure. Salmonella clearance efficacy was tested using planktonic cell lysis activity and biofilm degradation on polystyrene 96-well plates and reptile skin fragments. The phage exhibited vigorous lysis activity against planktonic cells. In in vitro biofilm degradation tests on reptile skin and polystyrene plates, both low- and high-concentration phage treatments lowered bacterial cell viability by approximately 2.5-3 log colony-forming units and also decreased biomass. Thus, bacteriophages are a promising alternative to antibiotics for the prevention and eradication of RAS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jun Kwon
- Laboratory of Aquatic Biomedicine, College of Veterinary Medicine and Research Institute for Veterinary Science, Seoul National University, Seoul, Korea
| | - Sang Geun Kim
- Laboratory of Aquatic Biomedicine, College of Veterinary Medicine and Research Institute for Veterinary Science, Seoul National University, Seoul, Korea
| | - Hyoun Joong Kim
- Laboratory of Aquatic Biomedicine, College of Veterinary Medicine and Research Institute for Veterinary Science, Seoul National University, Seoul, Korea
| | - Sib Sankar Giri
- Laboratory of Aquatic Biomedicine, College of Veterinary Medicine and Research Institute for Veterinary Science, Seoul National University, Seoul, Korea
| | - Sang Wha Kim
- Laboratory of Aquatic Biomedicine, College of Veterinary Medicine and Research Institute for Veterinary Science, Seoul National University, Seoul, Korea
| | - Sung Bin Lee
- Laboratory of Aquatic Biomedicine, College of Veterinary Medicine and Research Institute for Veterinary Science, Seoul National University, Seoul, Korea
| | - Se Chang Park
- Laboratory of Aquatic Biomedicine, College of Veterinary Medicine and Research Institute for Veterinary Science, Seoul National University, Seoul, Korea
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16
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Renfert K, Rabsch W, Fruth A, Marschang RE, Speck S, Pees M. Influence of Salmonella specific bacteriophages (O1; S16) on the shedding of naturally occurring Salmonella and an orally applied Salmonella Eastbourne strain in bearded dragons (Pogona vitticeps). Vet Med Sci 2020; 7:534-547. [PMID: 33161646 PMCID: PMC8025629 DOI: 10.1002/vms3.388] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2019] [Revised: 03/02/2020] [Accepted: 10/09/2020] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
This study determined the passage time and phage propagation time of salmonella specific phages, Felix O1 and S16, in 10 bearded dragons, based on re‐isolation from cloacal swabs and faecal samples following oral administration, as a possible tool for reducing salmonella shedding. In Study 1, Felix O1 was administered orally for 12 consecutive days. Over 60 days, swabs were taken from the oral cavity and cloaca and qualitative Salmonella detection as well as salmonella quantification from faecal samples were performed. In Study 2, a phage cocktail (Felix O1 and S16) was administered to half of the tested animals. Salmonella (S.) Eastbourne was also given orally to all animals. Oral and cloacal swabs were tested as in Study 1, and faecal samples were collected for phage quantification. Various Salmonella serovars were detectable at the beginning of the study. The numbers of serovars detected declined over the course of the study. S. Kisarawe was most commonly detected. Salmonella titres ranged from 102 to 107 cfu/g faeces. The phages (Felix O1 and S16) were detectable for up to 20 days after the last administration. The initial phage titres ranged from 103 to 107 pfu/ml. The study shows that the phages were able to replicate in the intestine, and were shed for a prolonged period and therefore could contribute to a reduction of Salmonella shedding.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kevin Renfert
- Department for Birds and Reptiles, Veterinary teaching hospital, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Wolfgang Rabsch
- National Reference Centre for Salmonella and other bacterial Enterics, Robert Koch Institute, Wernigerode, Germany
| | - Angelika Fruth
- National Reference Centre for Salmonella and other bacterial Enterics, Robert Koch Institute, Wernigerode, Germany
| | | | - Stephanie Speck
- Institute of Animal Hygiene and Veterinary Public Health, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Michael Pees
- Department for Birds and Reptiles, Veterinary teaching hospital, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
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17
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Hallinger MJ, Taubert A, Hermosilla C. Endoparasites infecting exotic captive amphibian pet and zoo animals (Anura, Caudata) in Germany. Parasitol Res 2020; 119:3659-3673. [PMID: 32960371 PMCID: PMC7578172 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-020-06876-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2020] [Accepted: 09/06/2020] [Indexed: 12/02/2022]
Abstract
Alongside exotic reptiles, amphibians, such as toads, frogs, salamanders, and newts, are nowadays considered popular pets worldwide. As reported for other exotic pet animals, amphibians are known to harbor numerous gastrointestinal parasites. Nonetheless, very little data are available on captive amphibian parasitic diseases. In this study, we applied direct saline fecal smears (DSFS) to examine in total 161 stool samples from 41 different amphibian species belonging to the orders Anura and Caudata. In addition, carbolfuchsin-smear (CFS) staining (n = 74 samples) was used to detect amphibian Cryptosporidium oocysts. Also, complete dissections of deceased amphibians (n = 107) were performed to specify parasite infections and to address parasite-associated pathogenicity. Overall, examined amphibian fecal samples contained 12 different parasite taxa. The order Rhabditida with the species Rhabdias spp. and Strongyloides spp. were the most prevalent nematode species (19.3%), followed by flagellated protozoans (8.7%), Amphibiocapillaria spp./Neocapillaria spp. (7.5%), Oswaldocruzia spp. (4.3%), Blastocystis spp. (3.1%), Cosmocerca spp. (3.1%), oxyurids (Pharyngonoidae) (3.1%), spirurids (1.2%), un-sporulated coccidian oocysts (0.6%), Tritrichomonas spp. (0.6%), Karotomorpha spp. (0.6%), and Cryptosporidium spp. (0.6%). One CFS-stained fecal sample (1.4%) was positive for Cryptosporidium oocysts. Within dissected amphibians, 31 (48.4%) of the anurans and 11 (26.2%) of the salamanders were infected with gastrointestinal parasites. One cutaneous Pseudocapillaroides xenopi infection was diagnosed in an adult African clawed frog (Xenopus laevis). Etiologically, 17 (15.9%) of them died due to severe parasitic and/or bacterial infections (e.g., Chryseobacterium indologenes, Citrobacter freudii, Sphingobacterium multivorum, Klebsiella pneumoniae). High prevalence and pathological findings of several clinical amphibian parasitoses call for more detailed investigation on gastrointestinal parasite-derived molecular mechanisms associated with detrimental lesions or even death.
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Affiliation(s)
- Malek J Hallinger
- Institute of Parasitology, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Schubertstr. 81, Biomedical Research Centre Seltersberg, 35392, Giessen, Germany.
- exomed GmbH, Schönhauser Str. 62, 13127, Berlin, Germany.
| | - Anja Taubert
- Institute of Parasitology, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Schubertstr. 81, Biomedical Research Centre Seltersberg, 35392, Giessen, Germany
| | - Carlos Hermosilla
- Institute of Parasitology, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Schubertstr. 81, Biomedical Research Centre Seltersberg, 35392, Giessen, Germany
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18
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Brockmann M, Aupperle-Lellbach H, Gentil M, Heusinger A, Müller E, Marschang RE, Pees M. Challenges in microbiological identification of aerobic bacteria isolated from the skin of reptiles. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0240085. [PMID: 33075077 PMCID: PMC7571677 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0240085] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2020] [Accepted: 09/19/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Bacterial pathogens are often involved in dermatitis in reptiles. Exact identification of reptile-specific but otherwise uncommon bacterial species may be challenging. However, identification is crucial to evaluate the importance of the detected bacterial species. OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to assess the number of aerobic bacterial isolates cultured from skin-derived samples of reptiles which were not reliably identified by Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption/Ionization Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS), and to determine their identity. MATERIAL AND METHODS Routine bacterial diagnostics were performed on 235 skin samples, and 417 bacterial isolates were analysed by MALDI-TOF MS. The isolates were grouped into categories based on their first score: category I (≥ 2.00), category II (≥ 1.70 and < 2.00), and category III (< 1.70). Isolates from category III were further investigated by 16S rRNA gene sequencing and the following criteria were applied: query cover 100%, e-value rounded to 0.0 and sequence identity (%) > 98.00% for genus identification, and > 99.00% for species identification. RESULTS The majority of bacterial isolates were in category I (85.1%) or category II (8.4%). In category III (6.5%) results achieved at first by MALDI-TOF MS corresponded to the results of the molecular analysis in 8.0% of isolates at the species level and in 24.0% at the genus level. Bacterial isolates classified as category III were heterogenic in genus (e.g. Chryseobacterium, Devriesea, Pseudomonas, Staphylococcus, Uruburuella), and some have only been described in reptiles so far. CONCLUSIONS Most of the aerobic bacterial isolates cultured from reptile skin achieved high scores by MALDI-TOF MS. However, in the majority of category III isolates MALDI-TOF MS results were different from those of the molecular analysis. This strengthens the need to carefully examine low-scored results for plausibility and to be familiar with the occurrence and morphology of relevant reptile-specific bacterial species (e.g. Devriesea agamarum) as well as with the limits of the database used.
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MESH Headings
- Animals
- Bacteria, Aerobic/chemistry
- Bacteria, Aerobic/genetics
- Bacteria, Aerobic/isolation & purification
- Gram-Negative Bacteria/genetics
- Gram-Negative Bacteria/isolation & purification
- Gram-Negative Bacteria/metabolism
- Gram-Positive Bacteria/genetics
- Gram-Positive Bacteria/isolation & purification
- Gram-Positive Bacteria/metabolism
- RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/chemistry
- RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/genetics
- RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/metabolism
- Reptiles/microbiology
- Skin/microbiology
- Spectrometry, Mass, Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption-Ionization
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Michael Pees
- Clinic for Birds and Reptiles, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
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19
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Zhang H, Lin Z, Jiang Y, Qian W, Lv C, Zhang L, Wang S, Qi M, Xia Z. Molecular identification of Cryptosporidium spp. in pet snakes in Beijing, China. Parasitol Res 2020; 119:3119-23. [PMID: 32743725 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-020-06838-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2020] [Accepted: 07/28/2020] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
Few reports of Cryptosporidium spp. in snakes in China have been published. To determine the infection rate and document the presence of Cryptosporidium in pet snakes using molecular methods, 273 fecal samples were collected from eight species of pet snakes from 13 pet households in Beijing, China, and were examined by PCR amplification of the small subunit ribosomal RNA gene. Cryptosporidium was detected from 17 of 273 (6.2%) samples, and nine out of 13 households tested positive for Cryptosporidium with a range of 3.3 to 33.3% among households showing significant difference (p < 0.01). The infection rate of Cryptosporidium for females and males was 6.5% (13/201) and 5.6% (4/72), respectively, showing no significant difference (p > 0.05). Six out of eight pet snake species tested positive for Cryptosporidium with a range of 4.2 to 9.1% among species, showing no significant difference (p > 0.05). Two Cryptosporidium species were identified: Cryptosporidium serpentis in 10 samples and Cryptosporidium varanii in seven samples. No zoonotic Cryptosporidium species occur in our study populations.
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D Corum D, Corum O, Atik O, E Faki H, Altan F, Uney K. Effect of benzylpenicillin on intravenous pharmacokinetics of acyclovir in red-eared slider turtles (Trachemys scripta elegans). J Vet Pharmacol Ther 2020; 43:319-324. [PMID: 32212341 DOI: 10.1111/jvp.12860] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2019] [Revised: 02/28/2020] [Accepted: 03/09/2020] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
The aim of this study was to determine the effect of benzylpenicillin on the pharmacokinetics of acyclovir in red-eared slider turtles (Trachemys scripta elegans). Six clinically healthy red-eared slider turtles weighing 400 and 580 g were used for the study. Acyclovir (40 mg/kg) and benzylpenicillin (30 mg/kg) were administered intravenously to turtles. In the study, the cross-pharmacokinetic design (2 × 2) with a 30-day washout period was performed in two periods. Plasma concentrations of acyclovir were assayed using the high-performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection. Pharmacokinetic parameters were calculated by two-compartment open pharmacokinetic model. Following the administration of acyclovir alone, elimination half-life (t1/2 β ), area under the plasma concentration-time curve (AUC), total clearance (ClT ), and volume of distribution at steady-state (Vdss ) were 20.12 hr, 1,372 hr * µg/mL, 0.03 L hr-1 kg-1 , and 0.84 L/kg, respectively. Benzylpenicillin administration increased t1/2 β , AUC, and Vdss while decreased ClT of acyclovir. These results showed that benzylpenicillin changed the pharmacokinetics of acyclovir following simultaneous administration in turtles. However, further research is needed to determine molecular mechanism of interaction in turtle.
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Affiliation(s)
- Duygu D Corum
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Kastamonu, Kastamonu, Turkey
| | - Orhan Corum
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Kastamonu, Kastamonu, Turkey
| | - Orkun Atik
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Afyon Kocatepe, Afyonkarahisar, Turkey
| | - Hatice E Faki
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Selcuk, Konya, Turkey
| | - Feray Altan
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Dicle, Diyarbakir, Turkey
| | - Kamil Uney
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Selcuk, Konya, Turkey
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21
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Hallinger MJ, Taubert A, Hermosilla C. Occurrence of Kalicephalus, Strongyloides, and Rhabdias nematodes as most common gastrointestinal parasites in captive snakes of German households and zoological gardens. Parasitol Res 2020; 119:947-956. [PMID: 31950252 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-019-06526-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2019] [Accepted: 10/23/2019] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
Nowadays, snakes established as domestic exotic pets, harboring numerous (zoonotic) gastrointestinal parasites. In this parasitological survey, we used direct saline fecal smears (DSFS) to examine 586 stool samples from 71 different snake species either kept as pets in households or in zoological gardens in Germany. In addition to DSFS, carbol-fuchsin-fecal smears (n = 296), coproantigen ELISA tests (n = 98), and immunofluorescence assays (IFA; n = 77) for the detection reptile Cryptosporidium infections were conducted. Complete dissections of deceased snakes (n = 63) were also performed in order to gain data on endoparasite species burdens affecting domestic snakes. Overall, examined fecal samples contained 20 different parasite taxa: Ancylostomatid Kalicephalus spp. were the most prevalent nematode species (3.3%), followed by Strongyloides/Rhabdias (2.6%), flagellated protozoan trophozoites (e. g., Proteromonadida, Reteromonadida) (2.3%), Monocercomonas spp. (1.9%), Entamoeba spp. (1.4%), unsporulated coccidian oocysts (1.4%), Kapsulotaenia spp. (0.9%), Capillaria spp. (0.7%), indet. trematodes (0.5%), pentastomids (0.5%), spirurids (0.4%), Eimeria spp. (0.4%), ascarids (0.4%), Blastocystis sp. (0.2%), heterakids (0.2%), cestodes (Proteocephalidae) (0.2%), Plagiorchis spp. (0.2%), Cryptosporidium spp. (0.2%), Caryospora epicratesi (0.2%), and Sarcocystis spp. (0.2%). For Cryptosporidium, four carbol-fuchsin-stained smears (1.4%), 12 (12.2%) coproantigen ELISA-examined samples and 5.2% of examined samples were diagnosed with IFA. Fourteen (22.2%) of dissected snakes showed infections with various pathogenic nematode genera and 8 of them (12.7%) died due to protozoan parasitic infections. High prevalences of intestinal protozoan parasites resulting in severe pathological findings observed in dissected snakes call for more detailed investigations on gastrointestinal parasites.
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Affiliation(s)
- Malek J Hallinger
- Institute of Parasitology, Biomedical Research Centre Seltersberg (BFS), Justus Liebig University Giessen, Schubertstr. 81, 35392, Giessen, Germany. .,exomed GmbH, Schönhauserstr. 62, 13127, Berlin, Germany.
| | - Anja Taubert
- Institute of Parasitology, Biomedical Research Centre Seltersberg (BFS), Justus Liebig University Giessen, Schubertstr. 81, 35392, Giessen, Germany
| | - Carlos Hermosilla
- Institute of Parasitology, Biomedical Research Centre Seltersberg (BFS), Justus Liebig University Giessen, Schubertstr. 81, 35392, Giessen, Germany
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22
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Bjelland AM, Sandvik LM, Skarstein MM, Svendal L, Debenham JJ. Prevalence of Salmonella serovars isolated from reptiles in Norwegian zoos. Acta Vet Scand 2020; 62:3. [PMID: 31918736 PMCID: PMC6953243 DOI: 10.1186/s13028-020-0502-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2019] [Accepted: 01/03/2020] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Reptiles are known to be asymptomatic carriers of Salmonella spp. in their gastrointestinal mucosa and a variety of Salmonella serovars including exotic serovars mainly associated with reptiles as well as human pathogenic serovars have been isolated. There are many case reports of reptile-associated Salmonella infections worldwide, including one case in Norway in 2000. In August 2017, there was a legislative change in Norway that allowed more permissive reptile ownership and legalized the keeping of 19 different reptile species by private persons. There has been a concern that this new legislation will lead to an increase in reptile-associated salmonellosis in Norway, however knowledge is lacking on the occurrence of Salmonella spp. in Norwegian reptiles. The aim of this study was therefore to investigate the prevalence of Salmonella spp. in captive reptile species in Norway, identify the serovars and evaluate their zoonotic potential. Thus, cloacal swabs were taken from 53 snakes, 15 lizards and 35 chelonians from three Norwegian zoos, and assessed for the presence of Salmonella spp. by culture, biochemical testing and serotyping. Results In total, 43% of the reptiles were shedding Salmonella spp., with a prevalence of 62%, 67% and 3% in snakes, lizards and chelonians, respectively. A total of 26 different serovars were found, including Salmonella enterica spp. enterica (40%) and S. enterica spp. arizonae (4%), both of which are considered to have a high zoonotic potential. S. enterica spp. diarizonae, salamae and houtenae were also identified, however these serovars are considered to have a lower zoonotic potential. Conclusions The current study demonstrates that captive Norwegian reptiles are carriers of potentially zoonotic Salmonella spp. Given the increasing popularity of reptiles as pets and the legislative change, reptile-associated salmonellosis could become an increasingly important public health concern in Norway. Adequate public information about the risk of Salmonella infection as well as preventive measures to avoid Salmonella transmission from reptiles to humans is needed. The risk of Salmonella infection is considered low when recommended precautions are taken and good hygiene exhibited.
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Kubota R, Tokiwa T, Matsubara K, Okamoto M, Ike K. Detection and molecular characterization of Cryptosporidium species in wild-caught pet spiny-tailed lizards. Int J Parasitol Parasites Wildl 2020; 11:83-87. [PMID: 31956481 PMCID: PMC6962631 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijppaw.2020.01.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2019] [Revised: 01/07/2020] [Accepted: 01/07/2020] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Uromastyx is a genus of the herbivorous agamid lizards, also known as spiny-tailed lizards or mastigures, which are found in parts of Africa and the Middle East. Currently, several species of this genus are available in the international pet trade in Japan. In this study, two imported wild-caught spiny-tailed lizards (Arabian blue mastigure, Uromastyx ornata philbyi, and Sudan mastigure, Uromastyx dispar flavifasciata) were diagnosed with a Cryptosporidium (Apicomplexa: Cryptosporidiidae) infection based on the presence of the oocysts in the rectal feces using sucrose flotation and light microscopy examination at a local animal hospital in Tokyo, Japan. One of the lizards had died, and histopathological examination revealed enteritis with the Cryptosporidium parasite. Sequence analyses using the small subunit ribosomal RNA, actin, and 70-kDa heat shock protein genes indicated that the lizards had contracted a novel variant of C. avium that commonly infects avian species. Two pet wild-caught spiny-tailed lizards exhibited gastrointestinal symptoms. Lizards were both infected with a novel Cryptosporidium avium variant. First detection of avian-associated Cryptosporidium species in the family Agamidae.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rie Kubota
- Laboratory of Veterinary Parasitology, Nippon Veterinary and Life Science University, Musashino, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Toshihiro Tokiwa
- Laboratory of Veterinary Parasitology, Nippon Veterinary and Life Science University, Musashino, Tokyo, Japan
| | | | - Minoru Okamoto
- Department of Veterinary Pathology, Rakuno Gakuen University Animal Medical Center, Ebetsu, Hokkaido, Japan
| | - Kazunori Ike
- Laboratory of Veterinary Parasitology, Nippon Veterinary and Life Science University, Musashino, Tokyo, Japan
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25
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Gilbert MJ, Duim B, Zomer AL, Wagenaar JA. Living in Cold Blood: Arcobacter, Campylobacter, and Helicobacter in Reptiles. Front Microbiol 2019; 10:1086. [PMID: 31191467 PMCID: PMC6530492 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2019.01086] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2019] [Accepted: 04/30/2019] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Species of the Epsilonproteobacteria genera Arcobacter, Campylobacter, and Helicobacter are commonly associated with vertebrate hosts and some are considered significant pathogens. Vertebrate-associated Epsilonproteobacteria are often considered to be largely confined to endothermic mammals and birds. Recent studies have shown that ectothermic reptiles display a distinct and largely unique Epsilonproteobacteria community, including taxa which can cause disease in humans. Several Arcobacter taxa are widespread amongst reptiles and often show a broad host range. Reptiles carry a large diversity of unique and novel Helicobacter taxa, which apparently evolved in an ectothermic host. Some species, such as Campylobacter fetus, display a distinct intraspecies host dichotomy, with genetically divergent lineages occurring either in mammals or reptiles. These taxa can provide valuable insights in host adaptation and co-evolution between symbiont and host. Here, we present an overview of the biodiversity, ecology, epidemiology, and evolution of reptile-associated Epsilonproteobacteria from a broader vertebrate host perspective.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maarten J Gilbert
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Immunology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands.,Reptile, Amphibian and Fish Conservation Netherlands, Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | - Birgitta Duim
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Immunology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands.,WHO Collaborating Center for Campylobacter/OIE Reference Laboratory for Campylobacteriosis, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Aldert L Zomer
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Immunology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands.,WHO Collaborating Center for Campylobacter/OIE Reference Laboratory for Campylobacteriosis, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Jaap A Wagenaar
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Immunology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands.,WHO Collaborating Center for Campylobacter/OIE Reference Laboratory for Campylobacteriosis, Utrecht, Netherlands.,Wageningen Bioveterinary Research, Lelystad, Netherlands
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Hallinger MJ, Taubert A, Hermosilla C, Mutschmann F. Captive Agamid lizards in Germany: Prevalence, pathogenicity and therapy of gastrointestinal protozoan and helminth infections. Comp Immunol Microbiol Infect Dis 2019; 63:74-80. [PMID: 30961821 DOI: 10.1016/j.cimid.2019.01.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2018] [Revised: 01/07/2019] [Accepted: 01/10/2019] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Reptiles are becoming popular pets in many parts of the world. They are also known to harbor numerous gastrointestinal parasites. We used faecal smears to examine 748 stool samples from 14 different agamid lizard species. In addition, we used coproantigen ELISA tests (11 samples) and immunofluorescence assays (IFA) (19 samples) to detect reptile Cryptosporidium infections. In 28 cases, veterinarians requested therapy to treat oxyurid- and/or Isospora amphiboluri-infections and resent fecal samples after proposed therapy and anti-parasitic treatments had been applied. We also performed complete dissections of 24 deceased agamas in order to specify protozoan and helminth parasite infections. Overall, the examined fecal samples contained 6 different taxa. Oxyurids (Pharyngodonidae) were the most prevalent nematodes (41.2%), followed by I. amphiboluri (17.0%), Entamoeba spp. (0.8%), Choleoeimeria spp. (0.5%), Trichomonas spp. (0.3%), Cryptosporidium spp. (0.3%) and Strongyloides-like nematodes (0.1%). I. amphiboluri infections were significantly more prevalent (Chi-square test: χ2 = 21,5, df = 1, P < 0.001) in juvenile agamid lizards (31.9%) than in adults (14.2%). One of 11 (9.1%) coproantigen ELISA-examined samples was positive for Cryptosporidium. In 10.5% of the samples we found oocysts of Cryptosporidium. Thirteen (54.2%) of necropsied agamid lizards were infected with endoparasites and it is likely that three (12.5%) of them died due to severe parasitic infections. 74.0% of the samples that were submitted after therapy had been applied were negative. The high prevalences and pathological findings of several clinical parasitoses observed in these exotic reptiles calls for more detailed investigations on agamid gastrointestinal parasite fauna.
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Affiliation(s)
- Malek J Hallinger
- Institute of Parasitology, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Biomedical Research Centre Seltersberg (BFS), Schubertstr. 81, 35392 Giessen, Germany; Exomed GbR, Schönhauserstr. 62, 13127 Berlin, Germany.
| | - Anja Taubert
- Institute of Parasitology, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Biomedical Research Centre Seltersberg (BFS), Schubertstr. 81, 35392 Giessen, Germany
| | - Carlos Hermosilla
- Institute of Parasitology, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Biomedical Research Centre Seltersberg (BFS), Schubertstr. 81, 35392 Giessen, Germany
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Affiliation(s)
- Pablo David Jimenez Castro
- Department of Infectious Diseases, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, 244 Eaglewood Court, Athens, Georgia, 30606 US, Grupo de Parasitología Veterinaria, Universidad Nacional de Colombia
| | - Maaike Pietzsch
- Health Protection Practitioner, Public Health England South East, Thames Valley PHEC, Chilton, Didcot, Oxfordshire, OX11 0RQ
| | - Nikola Pantchev
- Veterinary Specialist for Parasitology, Key Account Manager for Infectious Diseases, IDEXX Laboratories, D-71636 Ludwigsburg, Germany
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Plutzer J, Lassen B, Jokelainen P, Djurković-Djaković O, Kucsera I, Dorbek-Kolin E, Šoba B, Sréter T, Imre K, Omeragić J, Nikolić A, Bobić B, Živičnjak T, Lučinger S, Stefanović LL, Kučinar J, Sroka J, Deksne G, Keidāne D, Kváč M, Hůzová Z, Karanis P. Review of Cryptosporidium and Giardia in the eastern part of Europe, 2016. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2019; 23. [PMID: 29382412 PMCID: PMC5801338 DOI: 10.2807/1560-7917.es.2018.23.4.16-00825] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/03/2022]
Abstract
This paper reviews the current knowledge and understanding of Cryptosporidium spp. and Giardia spp. in humans, animals and the environment in 10 countries in the eastern part of Europe: Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Poland, Romania, Serbia and Slovenia. Methods: Published scientific papers and conference proceedings from the international and local literature, official national health service reports, national databases and doctoral theses in local languages were reviewed to provide an extensive overview on the epidemiology, diagnostics and research on these pathogens, as well as analyse knowledge gaps and areas for further research. Results: Cryptosporidium spp. and Giardia spp. were found to be common in eastern Europe, but the results from different countries are difficult to compare because of variations in reporting practices and detection methodologies used. Conclusion: Upgrading and making the diagnosis/detection procedures more uniform is recommended throughout the region. Public health authorities should actively work towards increasing reporting and standardising reporting practices as these prerequisites for the reported data to be valid and therefore necessary for appropriate control plans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Judit Plutzer
- Department of Water Hygiene, National Public Health Institute, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Brian Lassen
- Department of Veterinary Disease Biology, University of Copenhagen, Frederiksberg, Denmark.,Department of Basic Veterinary Sciences and Population Medicine, Institute of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, Estonian University of Life Sciences, Tartu, Estonia
| | - Pikka Jokelainen
- Department of Bacteria, Parasites & Fungi, Infectious Disease Preparedness, Statens Serum Institut, Copenhagen, Denmark.,Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland.,Department of Basic Veterinary Sciences and Population Medicine, Institute of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, Estonian University of Life Sciences, Tartu, Estonia
| | - Olgica Djurković-Djaković
- Centre of Excellence for Food- and Vector-borne Zoonoses, Institute for Medical Research, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - István Kucsera
- Department of Parasitology, National Public Health Institute, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Elisabeth Dorbek-Kolin
- Department of Basic Veterinary Sciences and Population Medicine, Institute of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, Estonian University of Life Sciences, Tartu, Estonia
| | - Barbara Šoba
- Institute of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Tamás Sréter
- National Food Chain Safety Office, Veterinary Diagnostic Directorate, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Kálmán Imre
- Banat's University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine 'King Michael I of Romania' from Timişoara, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Animal Production and Veterinary Public Health, Timişoara, Romania
| | - Jasmin Omeragić
- University of Sarajevo, Veterinary Faculty, Department of Parasitology and Invasive Diseases of Animals, Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina
| | - Aleksandra Nikolić
- Centre of Excellence for Food- and Vector-borne Zoonoses, Institute for Medical Research, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Branko Bobić
- Centre of Excellence for Food- and Vector-borne Zoonoses, Institute for Medical Research, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Tatjana Živičnjak
- Department for Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases with Clinic, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Snježana Lučinger
- Department for Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases with Clinic, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
| | | | - Jasmina Kučinar
- Department of Microbiology, Public Health Institute of Istrian Region, Pula, Croatia
| | - Jacek Sroka
- Department of Parasitology, National Veterinary Research Institute, Puławy, Poland
| | - Gunita Deksne
- Institute of Food Safety, Animal Health and Environment - 'BIOR', Riga, Latvia
| | - Dace Keidāne
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Latvia University of Agriculture, Jelgava, Latvia
| | - Martin Kváč
- Faculty of Agriculture, University of South Bohemia in České Budějovice, České Budějovice, Czech Republic.,Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre of the Czech Academy of Sciences, České Budějovice, Czech Republic
| | - Zuzana Hůzová
- Health Institute in Ústí nad Labem, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Panagiotis Karanis
- Medical School, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany.,State Key Laboratory for Plateau Ecology and Agriculture, Centre for Biomedicine and Infectious Diseases Qinghai University, Xining, China
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Abstract
Reptiles (lizards, snakes, turtles, and crocodilians) are becoming increasingly popular as models for developmental investigations. In this review the leopard gecko, Eublepharis macularius, is presented as a reptilian model for embryonic and tissue regeneration studies. We provide details of husbandry and breeding and discuss aspects of embryonic nutrition, egg anatomy, and sex determination. We provide comprehensive protocols for transcardial perfusion, short-term anesthesia using the injectable anesthetic Alfaxan, and full-thickness cutaneous biopsy punches, used in geckos for the study of scar-free wound healing. We also provide modifications to three popular histological techniques (whole-mount histochemistry, immunohistochemistry, and double-label immunofluorescence) and provide details on bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) labeling and immuno-detection.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Emily A B Gilbert
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, Canada
- Department of Surgery, Donnelly Centre for Cellular and Biomolecular Research, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
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Gallego M, Juan-Sallés C, Hellebuyck T. Devriesea agamarum associated cheilitis in a North African spiny-tailed lizard ( Uromastyx acanthinura) in Spain. Open Vet J 2018; 8:224-228. [PMID: 30425957 PMCID: PMC6202671 DOI: 10.4314/ovj.v8i2.19] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2018] [Accepted: 06/10/2018] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
An 11-year-old, male North African spiny-tailed lizard (Uromastyx acanthinura) was presented with hyperkeratotic cheilitis. Based on clinical examination, histology and microbiological testing, Devriesea agamarum was identified as the causative agent of the dermal disorder. Moreover, an abundant culture of D. agamarum was obtained following sampling of the oral cavity. Cheilitis was present for three years in the spiny-tailed lizard and during the first year of that period the lizard was housed together with an ocellated lizard (Timon lepidus), an Algerian orange-tailed skink (Eumeces algeriensis) and a female U. acanthinura. The latter lizard showed signs of chronic dermatitis and had deceased approximately 2.5 years prior to initial presentation of the male dab lizard because of renal failure. The other cohabiting lizards showed no dermal lesions and D. agamarum could not be demonstrated following dermal, cloacal and oral sampling. Recurrence of the bacterial skin infection was observed following a first antimicrobial treatment. This was considered to result from failure to eliminate the bacterium from the treated dab lizard or re-infection from the environment or asymptomatic carriers. A second treatment, including disinfection of the enclosure with house-hold bleach 0.1%, weekly mechanical debridement of the crusty lesion and treatment with ceftazidime at 20 mg/kg intramuscularly every 72 hours for 57 days resulted in resolution of the skin lesions, elimination of D. agamarum from the oral cavity based on repetitive microbiological sampling and no recurrence of the lesions during a 31 month follow up period. The present case is the first report of devrieseasis in Spain and highlights the importance of a multidirectional diagnostic and therapeutic approach towards controlling devrieseasis in captive lizard collections. Several disease aspects such as persistency are discussed in the light of the contemporary available literature.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miguel Gallego
- Centro Veterinario Madrid Exóticos, Meléndez Valdés 17, 28015 Madrid, Spain
| | - Carles Juan-Sallés
- Noah's Path, Arquitecto Santiago Pérez Aracil 30 bajo, 03203 Elche, Spain
| | - Tom Hellebuyck
- Department of Pathology, Bacteriology and Avian Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Salisburylaan 133, B-9820 Merelbeke, Belgium
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Prado-Irwin SR, van de Schoot M, Geneva AJ. Detection and phylogenetic analysis of adenoviruses occurring in a single anole species. PeerJ 2018; 6:e5521. [PMID: 30186692 PMCID: PMC6119460 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.5521] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2018] [Accepted: 08/06/2018] [Indexed: 01/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Adenoviruses (AdVs) infect a wide range of hosts, and they have undergone recent and ancient host transfers multiple times. In reptiles, AdVs have been found in many captive individuals, and have been implicated in morbidity and mortality in several species. Yet the pathogenicity, transmission, phylogenetic distribution, and source of AdVs in the environment are still unknown. We therefore chose to opportunistically sample deceased captive Anolis sagrei individuals that were collected from different populations in the Bahamas and the Cayman Islands, as well as fecal samples from one island population, to explore the disease dynamics and diversity of adenovirus infecting A. sagrei populations. We found that adenovirus infection was present in our captive colony at low prevalence (26%), and was likely not the primary cause of observed morbidity and mortality. Among the 10 individuals (out of 38 sampled) which tested positive for adenovirus, we identified four adenovirus clades, several of which are distantly related, despite the close relationships of the A. sagrei host populations. These results suggest that while adenovirus may not be highly prevalent in the wild, it is present at low levels across much of the range of A. sagrei. It may undergo frequent host switching across both deep and shallow host divergences.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sofia R. Prado-Irwin
- Department of Organismic and Evolutionary Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Martijn van de Schoot
- Department of Organismic and Evolutionary Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Plant Ecology and Nature Conservation Group, Wageningen University, Wageningen, Netherlands
| | - Anthony J. Geneva
- Department of Organismic and Evolutionary Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
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Hallinger MJ, Taubert A, Hermosilla C, Mutschmann F. Occurrence of health-compromising protozoan and helminth infections in tortoises kept as pet animals in Germany. Parasit Vectors 2018; 11:352. [PMID: 29914556 PMCID: PMC6006665 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-018-2936-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2018] [Accepted: 06/05/2018] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Exotic reptiles such as tortoises, have become increasingly common domestic pets worldwide and are known to host different gastrointestinal parasites. Some of these parasites bear zoonotic potential. In the present survey, we parasitologically examined tortoise faecal samples (n = 1005) from 19 different species held as pets in private German households and German zoological gardens. METHODS Saline faecal smears were used to generate prevalence data for potentially health-compromising gastrointestinal parasites. In addition, we performed complete parasitological dissections of dead tortoises (n = 49) to estimate endoparasite burdens precisely. RESULTS Analysed tortoise faecal samples contained a broad spectrum of endoparasites. We detected ten taxa of endoparasites; oxyurid nematodes (e.g. Tachygonetria spp.) were the most prevalent parasites in faecal samples (43.18%), followed by ascarids (Angusticaecum spp.) (0.01%), Hexamita spp. (0.007%), Balantidium spp. (0.007%), trichomonads (0.004%), Strongyloides spp. (0.003%), Entamoeba spp. (0.005%), Hartmanella spp. (0.001%), Blastocystis spp. (0.002%), heterakids (0.001%) and Trimitus spp. (0.001%). Additionally, we investigated dead tortoise individuals (n = 49; of 10 different species) for aetiological diagnosis and estimation of endoparasite burden. Of these individuals, 38 (77.6%) were infected with parasites and 14 (28.6%) of them died most probably due to severe parasitic infection. Oxyurid infections correlated positively with calcium deficiency and metabolic bone disease (MBD) as well as nephrosis/nephritis, mainly occurring in juvenile tortoises (< 5 years of age). CONCLUSIONS The saline faecal smear technique proved to be efficient in detecting different metazoan and protozoan parasite stages in tortoise faeces. The prevalence of oxyurid infections was particularly high. In combination with pathological findings in clinical oxyuridosis obtained from necropsied animals, our findings call for further, detailed investigations on pathogenesis and immunology of oxyurids in pet reptiles. Coprological analyses for parasite detection should be mandatory before tortoises are transferred to a new owner, animal group, or public and private enclosures such as zoos. We advocate for regular health screenings in pet tortoises and, if parasitic infections are diagnosed, adequate medication or alternative hygiene management should be considered to improve and maintain individual and population health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Malek J Hallinger
- Institute of Parasitology, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Giessen, Germany. .,Exomed GbR, Berlin, Germany.
| | - Anja Taubert
- Institute of Parasitology, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
| | - Carlos Hermosilla
- Institute of Parasitology, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
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Stilwell JM, Stilwell NK, Stacy NI, Wellehan JF, Farina LL. EXTENSION OF THE KNOWN HOST RANGE OF INTRANUCLEAR COCCIDIOSIS: INFECTION IN THREE CAPTIVE RED-FOOTED TORTOISES ( CHELONOIDIS CARBONARIA ). J Zoo Wildl Med 2017; 48:1165-71. [DOI: 10.1638/2017-0068.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
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Sasa M, Arias Ortega J, Bonilla-Murillo F. Assessing survival of wild-caught snakes in open venom production systems. Toxicon 2017; 138:49-52. [DOI: 10.1016/j.toxicon.2017.08.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2017] [Revised: 07/30/2017] [Accepted: 08/01/2017] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
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35
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Pasmans F, Bogaerts S, Braeckman J, Cunningham AA, Hellebuyck T, Griffiths RA, Sparreboom M, Schmidt BR, Martel A. Future of keeping pet reptiles and amphibians: towards integrating animal welfare, human health and environmental sustainability. Vet Rec 2017; 181:450. [PMID: 29051315 DOI: 10.1136/vr.104296] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2017] [Revised: 08/12/2017] [Accepted: 08/18/2017] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
The keeping of exotic pets is currently under debate and governments of several countries are increasingly exploring the regulation, or even the banning, of exotic pet keeping. Major concerns are issues of public health and safety, animal welfare and biodiversity conservation. The keeping of reptiles and amphibians in captivity encompasses all the potential issues identified with keeping exotic pets, and many of those relating to traditional domestic pets. Within the context of risks posed by pets in general, the authors argue for the responsible and sustainable keeping of reptile and amphibian pets by private persons, based on scientific evidence and on the authors' own expertise (veterinary medicine, captive husbandry, conservation biology).
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Affiliation(s)
- Frank Pasmans
- Department of Pathology, Bacteriology and Avian Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Merelbeke, Belgium
| | | | - Johan Braeckman
- Department of Philosophy, Faculty of Arts and Philosophy, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | | | - Tom Hellebuyck
- Department of Pathology, Bacteriology and Avian Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Merelbeke, Belgium
| | - Richard A Griffiths
- School of Anthropology and Conservation, Durrell Institute of Conservation and Ecology, University of Kent, Canterbury, Kent, UK
| | | | - Benedikt R Schmidt
- Info Fauna KARCH, Passage Maximilien-de-Meuron, Neuchâtel, Switzerland.,Department of Evolutionary Biology and Environmental Studies, University of Zurich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - An Martel
- Department of Pathology, Bacteriology and Avian Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Merelbeke, Belgium
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Solis C, Arguedas R, Baldi M, Piche M, Jimenez C. SEROPREVALENCE AND MOLECULAR CHARACTERIZATION OF FERLAVIRUS IN CAPTIVE VIPERS OF COSTA RICA. J Zoo Wildl Med 2017; 48:420-30. [DOI: 10.1638/2014-0200r4.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
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Prpic J, Keros T, Balija ML, Forcic D, Jemersic L. First recorded case of paramyxovirus infection introduced into a healthy snake collection in Croatia. BMC Vet Res 2017; 13:95. [PMID: 28390412 PMCID: PMC5385035 DOI: 10.1186/s12917-017-1015-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2016] [Accepted: 03/30/2017] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Background In the present study, we describe the first paramyxovirus infection in a snake collection in Croatia caused by an introduction of new snakes that were not previously tested and didn’t show any signs of disease. Case presentation In less than a month after introduction into a healthy colony, new snakes began to show respiratory symptoms (i.e. mouth opening, wheezing, etc.) and died within a month and a half after antibiotic therapy was applied. The same symptoms and a high mortality rate were then observed in in-contact snakes from other collections belonging to different snake families. Conclusions Two entries of new snakes in different time periods were recorded and recognized as possible sources of infection. We stress the need for veterinary health control and monitoring of snakes prior to transportation as well as implementing obligatory quarantine measures to minimize the risk of infection among newly established snake groups.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jelena Prpic
- Croatian Veterinary Institute, Savska cesta 143, 10 000, Zagreb, Croatia.
| | - Tomislav Keros
- Croatian Veterinary Institute, Savska cesta 143, 10 000, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Maja Lang Balija
- Centre for Research and Knowledge Transfer in Biotechnology, University of Zagreb, Rockefellerova 10, 10 000, Zagreb, Croatia.,Center of Excellence for Viral Immunology and Vaccines, CERVirVac, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Dubravko Forcic
- Centre for Research and Knowledge Transfer in Biotechnology, University of Zagreb, Rockefellerova 10, 10 000, Zagreb, Croatia.,Center of Excellence for Viral Immunology and Vaccines, CERVirVac, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Lorena Jemersic
- Croatian Veterinary Institute, Savska cesta 143, 10 000, Zagreb, Croatia
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Keller S, Hetzel U, Sironen T, Korzyukov Y, Vapalahti O, Kipar A, Hepojoki J. Co-infecting Reptarenaviruses Can Be Vertically Transmitted in Boa Constrictor. PLoS Pathog 2017; 13:e1006179. [PMID: 28114434 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1006179] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2016] [Revised: 02/02/2017] [Accepted: 01/11/2017] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Boid inclusion body disease (BIBD) is an often fatal disease affecting mainly constrictor snakes. BIBD has been associated with infection, and more recently with coinfection, by various reptarenavirus species (family Arenaviridae). Thus far BIBD has only been reported in captive snakes, and neither the incubation period nor the route of transmission are known. Herein we provide strong evidence that co-infecting reptarenavirus species can be vertically transmitted in Boa constrictor. In total we examined five B. constrictor clutches with offspring ranging in age from embryos over perinatal abortions to juveniles. The mother and/or father of each clutch were initially diagnosed with BIBD and/or reptarenavirus infection by detection of the pathognomonic inclusion bodies (IB) and/or reptarenaviral RNA. By applying next-generation sequencing and de novo sequence assembly we determined the "reptarenavirome" of each clutch, yielding several nearly complete L and S segments of multiple reptarenaviruses. We further confirmed vertical transmission of the co-infecting reptarenaviruses by species-specific RT-PCR from samples of parental animals and offspring. Curiously, not all offspring obtained the full parental "reptarenavirome". We extended our findings by an in vitro approach; cell cultures derived from embryonal samples rapidly developed IB and promoted replication of some or all parental viruses. In the tissues of embryos and perinatal abortions, viral antigen was sometimes detected, but IB were consistently seen only in the juvenile snakes from the age of 2 mo onwards. In addition to demonstrating vertical transmission of multiple species, our results also indicate that reptarenavirus infection induces BIBD over time in the offspring.
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Ullmann LS, das Neves Dias-Neto R, Cagnini DQ, Yamatogi RS, Oliveira-Filho JP, Nemer V, Teixeira RHF, Biondo AW, Araújo JP. Mycobacterium genavense infection in two species of captive snakes. J Venom Anim Toxins Incl Trop Dis 2016; 22:27. [PMID: 27777582 PMCID: PMC5070184 DOI: 10.1186/s40409-016-0082-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2016] [Accepted: 09/10/2016] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Mycobacterium is an important zoonotic agent with companion, livestock and wildlife animals reportedly playing a role as reservoirs. Although its association with reptiles has been described, the disease cycle remains to be fully established, particularly in snakes. Accordingly, this study aimed to report the occurrence of mycobacteriosis with clinical pneumonia in one exotic python snake (Python molurus) and one native green snake (Philodryas olfersii) from the Sorocaba Zoo, São Paulo state, Brazil. Methods Diagnosis was based on necropsy, histopathological examination, Ziehl-Neelsen stain and immunohistochemistry. Results Using a nested PCR followed by DNA sequencing and bioinformatics analysis, the causative Mycobacterium species was identified as Mycobacterium genavense. Conclusion Mycobacterium genavense is an infectious zoonotic agent of animal and public health concerns.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leila Sabrina Ullmann
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Botucatu Biosciences Institute, São Paulo State University (UNESP - Univ Estadual Paulista), Distrito de Rubião Junior, s/n, Botucatu, SP 80035-050 Brazil
| | | | - Didier Quevedo Cagnini
- Department of Clinical Veterinary Medicine, School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Husbandry, São Paulo State University (UNESP - Univ Estadual Paulista), Botucatu, SP Brazil
| | | | - Jose Paes Oliveira-Filho
- Department of Clinical Veterinary Medicine, School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Husbandry, São Paulo State University (UNESP - Univ Estadual Paulista), Botucatu, SP Brazil
| | - Viviane Nemer
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Federal University of Paraná, Curitiba, Brazil
| | | | - Alexander Welker Biondo
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Botucatu Biosciences Institute, São Paulo State University (UNESP - Univ Estadual Paulista), Distrito de Rubião Junior, s/n, Botucatu, SP 80035-050 Brazil
| | - João Pessoa Araújo
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Botucatu Biosciences Institute, São Paulo State University (UNESP - Univ Estadual Paulista), Distrito de Rubião Junior, s/n, Botucatu, SP 80035-050 Brazil
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Jezkova J, Horcickova M, Hlaskova L, Sak B, Kvetonova D, Novak J, Hofmannova L, McEvoy J, Kvac M. Cryptosporidium testudinis sp. n., Cryptosporidium ducismarci Traversa, 2010 and Cryptosporidium tortoise genotype III (Apicomplexa: Cryptosporidiidae) in tortoises. Folia Parasitol (Praha) 2016; 63. [PMID: 27827334 DOI: 10.14411/fp.2016.035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2016] [Accepted: 09/09/2016] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Understanding of the diversity of species of Cryptosporidium Tyzzer, 1910 in tortoises remains incomplete due to the limited number of studies on these hosts. The aim of the present study was to characterise the genetic diversity and biology of cryptosporidia in tortoises of the family Testudinidae Batsch. Faecal samples were individually collected immediately after defecation and were screened for presence of cryptosporidia by microscopy using aniline-carbol-methyl violet staining, and by PCR amplification and sequence analysis targeting the small subunit rRNA (SSU), Cryptosporidium oocyst wall protein (COWP) and actin genes. Out of 387 faecal samples from 16 tortoise species belonging to 11 genera, 10 and 46 were positive for cryptosporidia by microscopy and PCR, respectively. All samples positive by microscopy were also PCR positive. Sequence analysis of amplified genes revealed the presence of the Cryptosporidium tortoise genotype I (n = 22), C. ducismarci Traversa, 2010 (n = 23) and tortoise genotype III (n = 1). Phylogenetic analyses of SSU, COWP and actin gene sequences revealed that Cryptosporidium tortoise genotype I and C. ducismarci are genetically distinct from previously described species of Cryptosporidium. Oocysts of Cryptosporidium tortoise genotype I, measuring 5.8-6.9 µm × 5.3-6.5 µm, are morphologically distinguishable from C. ducismarci, measuring 4.4-5.4 µm × 4.3-5.3 µm. Oocysts of Cryptosporidium tortoise genotype I and C. ducismarci obtained from naturally infected Russian tortoises (Testudo horsfieldii Gray) were infectious for the same tortoise but not for Reeve's turtles (Mauremys reevesii [Gray]), common garter snake (Thamnophis sirtalis [Linnaeus]), zebra finches (Taeniopygia guttata [Vieillot]) and SCID mice (Mus musculus Linnaeus). The prepatent period was 11 and 6 days post infection (DPI) for Cryptosporidium tortoise genotype I and C. ducismarci, respectively; the patent period was longer than 200 days for both cryptosporidia. Naturally or experimentally infected tortoises showed no clinical signs of disease. Our morphological, genetic, and biological data support the establishment of Cryptosporidium tortoise genotype I as a new species, Cryptosporidium testudinis sp. n., and confirm the validity of C. ducismarci as a separate species of the genus Cryptosporidium.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jana Jezkova
- Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic.,Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia in Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic
| | - Michaela Horcickova
- Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic.,Faculty of Agriculture, University of South Bohemia in Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic
| | - Lenka Hlaskova
- Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic
| | - Bohumil Sak
- Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic
| | - Dana Kvetonova
- Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic
| | - Jan Novak
- Faculty of Fisheries and Protection of Waters, South Bohemian Research Centre of Aquaculture and Biodiversity of Hydrocenoses, Institute of Complex Systems, University of South Bohemia in Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic
| | - Lada Hofmannova
- Department of Pathology and Parasitology, University of Veterinary and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - John McEvoy
- Veterinary and Microbiological Sciences Department, North Dakota State University, Fargo, USA
| | - Martin Kvac
- Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic.,Faculty of Agriculture, University of South Bohemia in Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic
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Yimming B, Pattanatanang K, Sanyathitiseree P, Inpankaew T, Kamyingkird K, Pinyopanuwat N, Chimnoi W, Phasuk J. Molecular Identification of Cryptosporidium Species from Pet Snakes in Thailand. Korean J Parasitol 2016; 54:423-9. [PMID: 27658593 PMCID: PMC5040075 DOI: 10.3347/kjp.2016.54.4.423] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2015] [Revised: 04/28/2016] [Accepted: 05/06/2016] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Cryptosporidium is an important pathogen causing gastrointestinal disease in snakes and is distributed worldwide. The main objectives of this study were to detect and identify Cryptosporidium species in captive snakes from exotic pet shops and snake farms in Thailand. In total, 165 fecal samples were examined from 8 snake species, boa constrictor (Boa constrictor constrictor), corn snake (Elaphe guttata), ball python (Python regius), milk snake (Lampropeltis triangulum), king snake (Lampropeltis getula), rock python (Python sebae), rainbow boa (Epicrates cenchria), and carpet python (Morelia spilota). Cryptosporidium oocysts were examined using the dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO)-modified acid-fast staining and a molecular method based on nested-PCR, PCR-RFLP analysis, and sequencing amplification of the SSU rRNA gene. DMSO-modified acid-fast staining revealed the presence of Cryptosporidium oocysts in 12 out of 165 (7.3%) samples, whereas PCR produced positive results in 40 (24.2%) samples. Molecular characterization indicated the presence of Cryptosporidium parvum (mouse genotype) as the most common species in 24 samples (60%) from 5 species of snake followed by Cryptosporidium serpentis in 9 samples (22.5%) from 2 species of snake and Cryptosporidium muris in 3 samples (7.5%) from P. regius.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benjarat Yimming
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Kasetsart University, Bangkok 10900, Thailand
| | - Khampee Pattanatanang
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Kasetsart University, Bangkok 10900, Thailand
| | - Pornchai Sanyathitiseree
- Department of Large Animal and Wildlife Clinical Science, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Kasetsart University, Nakhon Pathom 73140, Thailand
| | - Tawin Inpankaew
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Kasetsart University, Bangkok 10900, Thailand
| | - Ketsarin Kamyingkird
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Kasetsart University, Bangkok 10900, Thailand
| | - Nongnuch Pinyopanuwat
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Kasetsart University, Bangkok 10900, Thailand
| | - Wissanuwat Chimnoi
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Kasetsart University, Bangkok 10900, Thailand
| | - Jumnongjit Phasuk
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Kasetsart University, Bangkok 10900, Thailand
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Henao Duque AM, Núñez Rangel V. Maintenance of red-tail coral snake (Micrurus mipartitus) in captivity and evaluation of individual venom variability. Acta biol Colomb 2016. [DOI: 10.15446/abc.v21n3.51651] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
La coral “rabo de ají” es una coral bicolor larga y delgada. Esta especie está ampliamente distribuida en Colombia y es la coral que causa el mayor número de accidentes en la región Andina, por esto es importante mantener esta especie en cautiverio con fines de producción de antivenenos e investigación. No obstante, el mantenimiento de esta especie en cautiverio es difícil, debido a que se rehúsan a alimentarse voluntariamente y a que presentan alta mortalidad por el denominado síndrome de mal adaptación. En este estudio se evaluaron varios sustratos para el mantenimiento, además de una dieta forzada y una técnica de ordeño. Adicionalmente, se evaluó la variabilidad individual del veneno a través de cromatografía liquida de alta eficiencia (HPLC), electroforesis (SDS-PAGE) y las actividades coagulante, anticoagulante y hemolítica indirecta. Los resultados de este estudio demostraron que fue posible incrementar la sobrevivencia de esta especie en cautiverio, así como determinar algunos factores importantes en su mantenimiento. A partir de la evaluación del veneno se encontraron diferencias en el número y en la intensidad de picos en la cromatografía, así como en algunas de sus actividades biológicas.
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Rossier C, Hoby S, Wenker C, Brawand SG, Thomann A, Brodard I, Jermann T, Posthaus H. DEVRIESEASIS IN A PLUMED BASILISK ( BASILISCUS PLUMIFRONS ) AND CHINESE WATER DRAGONS ( PHYSIGNATHUS COCINCINUS ) IN A ZOOLOGIC COLLECTION. J Zoo Wildl Med 2016; 47:280-5. [DOI: 10.1638/2014-0184.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
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Gandar F, Wilkie GS, Gatherer D, Kerr K, Marlier D, Diez M, Marschang RE, Mast J, Dewals BG, Davison AJ, Vanderplasschen AF. The Genome of a Tortoise Herpesvirus (Testudinid Herpesvirus 3) Has a Novel Structure and Contains a Large Region That Is Not Required for Replication In Vitro or Virulence In Vivo. J Virol 2015; 89:11438-56. [PMID: 26339050 DOI: 10.1128/JVI.01794-15] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2015] [Accepted: 08/27/2015] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
UNLABELLED Testudinid herpesvirus 3 (TeHV-3) is the causative agent of a lethal disease affecting several tortoise species. The threat that this virus poses to endangered animals is focusing efforts on characterizing its properties, in order to enable the development of prophylactic methods. We have sequenced the genomes of the two most studied TeHV-3 strains (1976 and 4295). TeHV-3 strain 1976 has a novel genome structure and is most closely related to a turtle herpesvirus, thus supporting its classification into genus Scutavirus, subfamily Alphaherpesvirinae, family Herpesviridae. The sequence of strain 1976 also revealed viral counterparts of cellular interleukin-10 and semaphorin, which have not been described previously in members of subfamily Alphaherpesvirinae. TeHV-3 strain 4295 is a mixture of three forms (m1, m2, and M), in which, in comparison to strain 1976, the genomes exhibit large, partially overlapping deletions of 12.5 to 22.4 kb. Viral subclones representing these forms were isolated by limiting dilution assays, and each replicated in cell culture comparably to strain 1976. With the goal of testing the potential of the three forms as attenuated vaccine candidates, strain 4295 was inoculated intranasally into Hermann's tortoises (Testudo hermanni). All inoculated subjects died, and PCR analyses demonstrated the ability of the m2 and M forms to spread and invade the brain. In contrast, the m1 form was detected in none of the organs tested, suggesting its potential as the basis of an attenuated vaccine candidate. Our findings represent a major step toward characterizing TeHV-3 and developing prophylactic methods against it. IMPORTANCE Testudinid herpesvirus 3 (TeHV-3) causes a lethal disease in tortoises, several species of which are endangered. We have characterized the viral genome and used this information to take steps toward developing an attenuated vaccine. We have sequenced the genomes of two strains (1976 and 4295), compared their growth in vitro, and investigated the pathogenesis of strain 4295, which consists of three deletion mutants. The major findings are that (i) TeHV-3 has a novel genome structure, (ii) its closest relative is a turtle herpesvirus, (iii) it contains interleukin-10 and semaphorin genes (the first time these have been reported in an alphaherpesvirus), (iv) a sizeable region of the genome is not required for viral replication in vitro or virulence in vivo, and (v) one of the components of strain 4295, which has a deletion of 22.4 kb, exhibits properties indicating that it may serve as the starting point for an attenuated vaccine.
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Damborg P, Broens EM, Chomel BB, Guenther S, Pasmans F, Wagenaar JA, Weese JS, Wieler LH, Windahl U, Vanrompay D, Guardabassi L. Bacterial Zoonoses Transmitted by Household Pets: State-of-the-Art and Future Perspectives for Targeted Research and Policy Actions. J Comp Pathol 2015; 155:S27-40. [PMID: 25958184 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcpa.2015.03.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 100] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2014] [Revised: 03/17/2015] [Accepted: 03/29/2015] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
The close contact between household pets and people offers favourable conditions for bacterial transmission. In this article, the aetiology, prevalence, transmission, impact on human health and preventative measures are summarized for selected bacterial zoonoses transmissible by household pets. Six zoonoses representing distinct transmission routes were selected arbitrarily based on the available information on incidence and severity of pet-associated disease caused by zoonotic bacteria: bite infections and cat scratch disease (physical injuries), psittacosis (inhalation), leptospirosis (contact with urine), and campylobacteriosis and salmonellosis (faecal-oral ingestion). Antimicrobial resistance was also included due to the recent emergence of multidrug-resistant bacteria of zoonotic potential in dogs and cats. There is a general lack of data on pathogen prevalence in the relevant pet population and on the incidence of human infections attributable to pets. In order to address these gaps in knowledge, and to minimize the risk of human infection, actions at several levels are recommended, including: (1) coordinated surveillance of zoonotic pathogens and antimicrobial resistance in household pets, (2) studies to estimate the burden of human disease attributable to pets and to identify risk behaviours facilitating transmission, and (3) education of those in charge of pets, animal caretakers, veterinarians and human medical healthcare practitioners on the potential zoonotic risks associated with exposure to pets. Disease-specific recommendations include incentives to undertake research aimed at the development of new diagnostic tests, veterinary-specific antimicrobial products and vaccines, as well as initiatives to promote best practices in veterinary diagnostic laboratories and prudent antimicrobial usage.
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Affiliation(s)
- P Damborg
- Department of Veterinary Disease Biology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Frederiksberg, Denmark.
| | - E M Broens
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Immunology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - B B Chomel
- Department of Population Health and Reproduction, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, USA
| | - S Guenther
- Institute of Microbiology and Epizootics, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - F Pasmans
- Department of Pathology, Bacteriology and Avian Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Merelbeke, Belgium
| | - J A Wagenaar
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Immunology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - J S Weese
- Department of Pathobiology, University of Guelph, Guelph, Canada
| | - L H Wieler
- Institute of Microbiology and Epizootics, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - U Windahl
- Department of Animal Health and Antimicrobial Strategies, National Veterinary Institute, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - D Vanrompay
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, University of Ghent, Ghent, Belgium
| | - L Guardabassi
- Department of Veterinary Disease Biology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Frederiksberg, Denmark
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Abstract
It is known that traded exotic animals carry with them an immense number of associated symbionts, including parasites. Reptiles are no exception. Most of the imported reptiles originate from tropical countries and their possibility to carry potentially dangerous pathogens is high. According to CITES, Europe is currently the main reptile importer in the world. Despite this, there is no review or analysis available for the risk related to the importation of tick-borne diseases with traded reptile to the EU. The main aim of the manuscript is to provide a review on the available literature on ticks introduced to and exchanged between European countries via the live reptile trade. So far, the published reports of ticks imported on reptiles are limited to few European countries: Italy, Poland, Spain, Netherlands, Belgium, Slovenia and UK. The following species have been reported: Hyalomma aegyptium, Amblyomma dissimile, Amblyomma exornatum, Amblyomma flavomaculatum, Amblyomma fuscolineatum, Amblyomma latum, Amblyomma quadricavum, Amblyomma marmoreum, Amblyomma nuttalli, Amblyomma sparsum, Amblyomma sphenodonti, Amblyomma transversale and Amblyomma varanense. The majority of species are of African origin, followed by American and Asian species. All groups of reptiles (chelonians, snakes, lizards, crocodiles, tuataras) were involved. However, it seems that certain groups (i.e. tortoises of genus Testudo, monitor lizards of genus Varanus, snakes of genus Python) are more important as host for imported ticks, but this may be related to higher levels of international trade. Even fewer are the reports of tick-borne pathogens associated with imported reptile ticks. Despite the diversity of tick species reported on imported reptiles, the situations of truly invasive species are atypical and are limited in natural environments to maximum two cases where H. aegyptium was involved. Otherwise, the risk associated with reptile trade for introduction of invasive tick to Europe is low. Nevertheless, veterinary control is still to be reinforced for collecting more data.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrei Daniel Mihalca
- University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine Cluj-Napoca, Calea Mănăştur 3-5, Cluj-Napoca 400372, Romania.
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Gardhouse S. Diagnostic Challenge. J Exot Pet Med 2015. [DOI: 10.1053/j.jepm.2015.04.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
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Hellebuyck T, Van Steendam K, Deforce D, Blooi M, Van Nieuwerburgh F, Bullaert E, Ducatelle R, Haesebrouck F, Pasmans F, Martel A. Autovaccination confers protection against Devriesea agamarum associated septicemia but not dermatitis in bearded dragons (Pogona vitticeps). PLoS One 2014; 9:e113084. [PMID: 25479609 PMCID: PMC4257540 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0113084] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2014] [Accepted: 10/20/2014] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Devrieseasis caused by Devriesea agamarum is a highly prevalent disease in captive desert lizards, resulting in severe dermatitis and in some cases mass mortality. In this study, we assessed the contribution of autovaccination to devrieseasis control by evaluating the capacity of 5 different formalin-inactivated D. agamarum vaccines to induce a humoral immune response in bearded dragons (Pogona vitticeps). Each vaccine contained one of the following adjuvants: CpG, incomplete Freund's, Ribi, aluminium hydroxide, or curdlan. Lizards were administrated one of the vaccines through subcutaneous injection and booster vaccination was given 3 weeks after primo-vaccination. An indirect ELISA was developed and used to monitor lizard serological responses. Localized adverse effects following subcutaneous immunization were observed in all but the Ribi adjuvanted vaccine group. Following homologous experimental challenge, the incomplete Freund's as well as the Ribi vaccine were observed to confer protection in bearded dragons against the development of D. agamarum associated septicemia but not against dermatitis. Subsequently, two-dimensional gelelectrophoresis followed by immunoblotting and mass spectrometry was conducted with serum obtained from 3 lizards that showed seroconversion after immunisation with the Ribi vaccine. Fructose-bisphosphate aldolase and aldo-keto reductase of D. agamarum reacted with serum from the latter lizards. Based on the demonstrated seroconversion and partial protection against D. agamarum associated disease following the use of formalin-inactivated vaccines as well as the identification of target antigens in Ribi vaccinated bearded dragons, this study provides promising information towards the development of a vaccination strategy to control devrieseasis in captive lizard collections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tom Hellebuyck
- Department of Pathology, Bacteriology and Avian diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Merelbeke, Belgium
- * E-mail:
| | - Katleen Van Steendam
- Laboratory for Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Science, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Dieter Deforce
- Laboratory for Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Science, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Mark Blooi
- Department of Pathology, Bacteriology and Avian diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Merelbeke, Belgium
- Centre for Research and Conservation, Royal Zoological Society of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Filip Van Nieuwerburgh
- Laboratory for Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Science, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Evelien Bullaert
- Department of Pathology, Bacteriology and Avian diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Merelbeke, Belgium
| | - Richard Ducatelle
- Department of Pathology, Bacteriology and Avian diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Merelbeke, Belgium
| | - Freddy Haesebrouck
- Department of Pathology, Bacteriology and Avian diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Merelbeke, Belgium
| | - Frank Pasmans
- Department of Pathology, Bacteriology and Avian diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Merelbeke, Belgium
| | - An Martel
- Department of Pathology, Bacteriology and Avian diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Merelbeke, Belgium
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Hyndman TH, Johnson RSP. Evidence for the vertical transmission of Sunshine virus. Vet Microbiol 2014; 175:179-84. [PMID: 25550284 DOI: 10.1016/j.vetmic.2014.11.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2014] [Revised: 11/04/2014] [Accepted: 11/07/2014] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
Sunshine virus is a paramyxovirus of pythons associated with neurorespiratory disease and mortalities. This report provides evidence for its vertical transmission. In a collection of over 200 Australian pythons, a dam and a sire, both carpet pythons (Morelia spilota), were PCR-positive for Sunshine virus at a time when the dam was likely to have been gravid. A clutch of 21 eggs was laid and three non-viable eggs were tested for the presence of Sunshine virus by PCR. One egg had been incubating for 34 days while the other two had been incubating for 49 days. The surface of all three eggs was negative for Sunshine virus but swabs of the allantois and amnion were positive in all three eggs. Embryo tissue samples were tested from the two 49 day old eggs. From one embryo, a sample of brain and a pooled sample of lung, liver, kidney and intestine were positive, while for the other embryo, a pooled sample of lung, liver, kidney, intestine and brain was positive. Fourteen of the 21 eggs hatched and all hatchlings were tested by PCR at least once between the ages of 53 and 229 days old. All hatchlings were PCR-negative for Sunshine virus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Timothy H Hyndman
- Murdoch University, School of Veterinary and Life Sciences, Murdoch, Western Australia 6150, Australia.
| | - Robert S P Johnson
- South Penrith Veterinary Clinic, Penrith, New South Wales 2750, Australia
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Berry KH, Brown MB, Vaughn M, Gowan TA, Hasskamp MA, Torres MC. Mycoplasma agassizii in Morafka's desert tortoise (Gopherus morafkai) in Mexico. J Wildl Dis 2015; 51:89-100. [PMID: 25375948 DOI: 10.7589/2014-04-083] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
We conducted health evaluations of 69 wild and 22 captive Morafka's desert tortoises (Gopherus morafkai) in Mexico between 2005 and 2008. The wild tortoises were from 11 sites in the states of Sonora and Sinaloa, and the captive tortoises were from the state-managed Centro Ecológico de Sonora Zoo in Hermosillo and a private residence in the town of Alamos. We tested 88 tortoises for mycoplasmal upper respiratory tract disease (URTD) using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays for specific antibody and by culture and PCR for detection of Mycoplasma agassizii and Mycoplasma testudineum. Fifteen of 22 captive tortoises had one or more positive diagnostic test results for M. agassizii whereas no wild tortoises had positive tests. Tortoises with positive tests also had significantly more moderate and severe clinical signs of mycoplasmosis on beaks and nares compared to tortoises with negative tests. Captive tortoises also exhibited significantly more clinical signs of illness than did wild tortoises, including lethargy and moderate to severe ocular signs. The severity of trauma and diseases of the shell and integument did not differ significantly among tortoises by site; however, clinical signs of moderate to severe trauma and disease were more prevalent in older tortoises. Similar to research findings for other species in the genus Gopherus in the US, we found that URTD is an important disease in captive tortoises. If they escape or are released by intention or accident to the wild, captive tortoises are likely to pose risks to healthy, naïve wild populations.
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