DETECTION OF OPHIDIOMYCES OPHIODIICOLA IN TWO CAPTIVE BOCOURT WATER SNAKES ( SUBSESSOR BOCOURTI) AND ONE CAPTIVE PUEBLAN MILK SNAKE ( LAMPROPELTIS TRIANGULUM CAMPBELLI)

J Zoo Wildl Med. 2018 Mar;49(1):219-222. doi: 10.1638/2017-0112R.1.

Abstract

Two captive Bocourt water snakes ( Subsessor bocourti) presented with chronic white skin lesions on their heads; Ophidiomyces ophiodiicola was identified by culture and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in skin scrapings from both snakes. Histopathology performed in one Bocourt water snake revealed fungal hyphae in epidermal structures of lesions. One Pueblan milk snake ( Lampropeltis triangulum campbelli) from the same zoologic institution presented with yellow crusts and white blisters on its body, from which O. ophiodiicola was identified by culture and PCR. Two of the three snakes apparently recovered from lesions after multiple natural sheds, whereas the third snake died. This is the first report of O. ophiodiicola infection in Bocourt water snakes and in a Pueblan milk snake, as well as the first report of O. ophiodiicola in France.

Keywords: Dermatitis; Europe; France; Ophidiomyces ophiodiicola; polymerase chain reaction; snake fungal disease.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Animals, Zoo
  • Ascomycota / classification
  • Ascomycota / isolation & purification*
  • Dermatomycoses / microbiology
  • Dermatomycoses / pathology
  • Dermatomycoses / veterinary*
  • Snakes / microbiology*