Detection of a Mycoplasma sp. in a Python (Morelia spilota) with Stomatitis

Rachel E. Marschang; Kim O. Heckers; Janosch Dietz; Ekaterina Kolesnik

doi:10.5818/1529-9651-26.3-4.90

Article Contents

Abstract
Introduction
Case Report
Discussion
Literature Cited

Editorial Type:

Article Category: Research Article

Online Publication Date: 01 Dec 2016

Detection of a Mycoplasma sp. in a Python (Morelia spilota) with Stomatitis

PD, Dr. Med. Vet., DipECZM (Herp), FTÄ Mikrobiologie, ZB Reptilien,

Dr. Med. Vet.,

Med. Vet., and

Med. Vet.

Page Range: 90 – 93

DOI: 10.5818/1529-9651-26.3-4.90

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Abstract

Stomatitis was observed in three carpet pythons (Morelia spilota) from a large mixed collection in Germany. All affected animals were euthanized and one was submitted for diagnostic testing. No viruses were detected in tissues from this animal, but a novel Mycoplasma sp. related to mycoplasmas previously described in tortoises in Europe was detected in the oral mucosa. While the role of Mycoplasma spp. in disease in squamates is unknown, this is the third report of a Mycoplasma sp. related to respiratory disease in a snake.

Keywords: Carpet python; Morelia spilota ; Mycoplasma ; snake; PCR; respiratory disease

Figure 1.

Lung from an 8-y-old male carpet python (Morelia spilotes). Mild interstitial lymphoplasmacytic pneumonia. H&E. ×400 magnification.

Figure 2.

Trachea from an 8-y-old male carpet python (Morelia spilotes). Mild focal lymphoplasmacytic tracheitis. H&E. ×1,000 magnification.

Figure 3.

Phylogenetic distance tree based on 516 base pairs (including gaps) of the 16S rRNA gene sequences of the Mycoplasma sp. detected in a carpet python with other Mycoplasma spp. Bayesian posterior probabilities followed by bootstrap values (100 repeats) for distance matrix analyses are provided on branches where both analyses showed the same branching pattern; otherwise, only the Bayesian posterior probability is provided. GenBank accession numbers: M. testudinis (NR_029175.1), Mycoplasma pneumonia (NR_113659.1), M. phocicerebrale (DQ840513.1), M. alkalescens (NR_025984.1), M. anseris (NR_024977.1). Vulture: Mycoplasma spp. from a vulture (GQ150566.1), M. hominis strain PG21 (JN935871.1), M. hominis (M96660.1), M. hyorhinis (CP003231.1), M. pulmonis (JN935865.1), M. iguanae (NR_043138.1), M. equigenitalium (NR_025070.1), M. elephantis (NR_025071.1). Python: Mycoplasma spp. from a python (FR869692.1), M. synoviae (AM073015.1), M. alligatoris (NR_041844.1), M. crocodyli (U63137.1), M. testudineum strain BH29 (NR_115220.1), and M. testudineum strain H3110 (NR_044767.1). Terrapene: Mycoplasma spp. from a Terrapene ornata ornata (FJ159564.1), T. marginata P_2: Mycoplasma spp. from a Testudo marginata strain P_2 (HQ326174.1), T. marginata Tm24_1: Mycoplasma spp. from a T. marginata strain Tm24_1 (HQ326169.1), M. agassizii strain PS6 (NR_025954.1), M. agassizii strain K120 (NR_114450.1)