VIRUSES

Reptiles

Diakoudi G, Buonavoglia A, Pellegrini F, Capozza P, Vasinioti VI, Cardone R, Catella C, Camero M, Parisi A, Capozzi L, Mendoza-Roldan JA, Otranto D, Bànyai K, Martella V, Lanave G. 2023. Identification of new astroviruses in synanthropic squamates. Res Vet Sci, 161:103–109.
Gainor K, Stewart KM, Picknell A, Russ M, Makela N, Watson K, Mancuso DM, Malik YS, Ghosh S. 2023. First report on detection and complete genomic analysis of a novel CRESS DNA virus from sea turtles. Pathogens (Basel, Switzerland), 12(4):601.
Kuhn JH, Schmaljohn CS. 2023. A brief history of bunyaviral family Hantaviridae. Diseases (Basel,

Abstract

Ophidian serpentoviruses, initially referred to as nidoviruses, were first documented in captive pythons nearly 10 yr ago. Since then, much has been learned about these important pathogens, now classified in the subfamily Serpentovirinae of the family Tobaniviridae and representing important emerging pathogens that threaten captive snakes. Serpentoviral infections are best characterized in pythons (family Pythonidae), but have also been documented in boas (family Boidae) and colubrids (family Colubridae), as well as shingleback skinks (Tiliqua rugosa), veiled chameleons (Chamaeleo calyptratus), and Bellinger River snapping turtles (Myuchelys georgesi). Clinical signs include increased oral mucous secretion, oral mucosal reddening, dyspnea, anorexia, and weight loss. Subclinical infections can also occur, and multiple studies report a lack of correlation between clinical signs and the presence of serpentoviral nucleic acids in snakes. Lesions associated with serpentoviral infections predominantly occur in the upper respiratory and gastrointestinal tracts, but can also extend to the lungs. Microscopically, these lesions may consist of inflammation, epithelial proliferation, and proliferative interstitial pneumonia, which can be complicated by concurrent bacterial bronchopneumonia. The most common method of diagnosis is reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction to detect viral RNA, and oral/choanal swabs are reliable samples for ante- or postmortem diagnosis. Specific treatment protocols have not yet been described, and management is based on supportive care. This paper presents a narrative review of all serpentovirus publications to date with perspective from researchers working to further characterize these pathogens, with the goal of serving as a comprehensive clinical and diagnostic overview for clinicians, zoological curatorial staff, wildlife biologists, and hobbyists.

Abstract

A 5-yr-old male central bearded dragon (Pogona vitticeps) presented with a 3 day history of left forelimb lameness, minimal muscle tone, and absent pain sensation distal to the midhumerus. Computed tomography (CT) revealed thickened and hypoattenuating soft tissues adjacent to the left scapulohumeral and left neck regions with no abnormal contrast enhancement. The suspected left external jugular vein in this region was ill defined and small, with filling defects, consistent with the appearance of a venous thrombus. Focal ultrasound of the left side of the neck confirmed a thrombus in this location, just cranial to a jugular venous valve. The patient was treated with supportive care and started on clopidogrel as an antithrombotic treatment. Clinical improvement was minimal following this visit, and the patient presented again 5 months later after declining significantly. On follow-up imaging at this visit, a suspected cardiac mass was seen on echocardiography. A fine-needle aspirate of the mass at that time was suspicious for a sarcoma; however, the sample was nondiagnostic. The previously identified thrombus could not be detected on ultrasonography at this visit. The owner ultimately decided to pursue hospice care at home and no additional imaging or further workup was performed. This is the first report in reptiles describing a venous thrombus using diagnostic imaging. Given the reported occurrence of aneurysms and thrombi in bearded dragons in clinical practice, this case demonstrates the use of an important tool for diagnosis of these conditions.

Abstract

A 2-yr-old female African side-neck turtle (Pelomedusa subrufa) housed at a pet store in Illinois, USA presented for evaluation of nasal discharge and an ulcerative skin lesion. Molecular diagnostics for Mycoplasma spp., herpesviruses, and frog virus 3 (ranavirus) were negative, and cytologic evaluation of the ulceration showed nonseptic inflammation without fungal elements. A presumptive diagnosis of a bacterial upper respiratory infection was treated with ceftazidime (20 mg/kg SC every 72 h) and husbandry improvements were recommended. One month later, the turtle re-presented; physical examination revealed diffuse skin sloughing and severe dehydration, and the animal was euthanized. Necropsy and histopathology revealed multiple fungal granulomas throughout the liver, gastrointestinal tract, and lungs. Heavy growth of a white powdery fungal organism was obtained from culture. Four gene targets (D1/D2 domains of the 28S ribosomal DNA, 18S-28S ribosomal internal transcribed spacer region, actin, and β-tubulin) were sequenced from the fungal isolate and each was >98% identical to Nannizziopsis arthrosporioides. A maximum-likelihood phylogenetic tree constructed from concatenated D1/D2, ITS, actin, and β-tubulin sequences from Nannizziopsis spp. placed the new fungal isolate in a highly supported (99% bootstrap support) monophyletic group with two N. arthrosporioides isolates. This case report describes the first known N. arthrosporioides infection in an aquatic turtle species and adds to the growing literature surrounding N. arthrosporioides infections in nonsquamate reptilian patients.

Comparison of Different Physiological Parameters for the Assessment of Hydration Status in Turtles of the Genus Trachemys

Oliver Baca-Montero,

Daniel Alejandro Gomez Pizano, and

Maria Guadalupe Sánchez González

Infectious Agents of Reptiles and Amphibians: Peer-reviewed publications, January–June 2023

VIRUSES

Reptiles

Ophidian Serpentoviruses: A Review and Perspective

Abstract

Novel Imaging Modalities for Antemortem Diagnosis of a Suspected Jugular Thrombus in a Bearded Dragon (Pogona vitticeps)

Abstract

Systemic Nannizziopsis arthrosporioides in an African Side-neck Turtle (Pelomedusa subrufa)

Abstract

Concurrent Diffuse B-cell Lymphoma and Paraganglioma in a Red-tailed Boa (Boa constrictor constrictor) with Inclusion Body Disease

Abstract

Clinical Pathology Reference Intervals for Juvenile Green (Chelonia mydas) and Hawksbill (Eretmochelys imbricata) Sea Turtles Captured in St. Kitts, 2004–2017

Abstract

Intramuscular Alfaxalone Effective Dose (ED) Determination and Cardiopulmonary Effects of ED₉₉ in Sonoran Desert Toads (Incilius alvarius)

Abstract

Hematology and Biochemistry of the Española Lava Lizard (Microlophus delanonis)

Abstract

Evaluation of Contrast Radiography and Computed Tomography in Sex Determination of Gila Monsters (Heloderma suspectum)

Abstract

Comparison of Different Physiological Parameters for the Assessment of Hydration Status in Turtles of the Genus Trachemys

Comparison of Three Point-of-Care Analyzers for the Measurement of Lactate Concentration in Chelonians

Establishing Normal Ophthalmic Examination Parameters for Smooth-sided Toads (Rhaebo guttatus)

Randomized Clinical Trial Evaluating a Novel Piperazine-Based Drug as a Treatment for Gastric Cryptosporidiosis in Eastern Indigo Snakes (Drymarchon couperi)

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