Evidence of Vertical Transmission of the Snake Fungal Pathogen Ophidiomyces ophiodiicola

J Wildl Dis. 2019 Oct;55(4):961-964. Epub 2019 Mar 21.

Abstract

Snake fungal disease (ophidiomycosis) is an emerging infection of snakes caused by Ophidiomyces ophiodiicola. Little is known about mechanisms of this pathogen's transmission and its implications for conservation of wild snake populations. We report four cases with evidence of vertical transmission of O. ophiodiicola from dam to offspring.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Animals, Wild
  • Dermatomycoses / microbiology
  • Dermatomycoses / transmission
  • Dermatomycoses / veterinary*
  • Infectious Disease Transmission, Vertical / veterinary*
  • Onygenales / isolation & purification*
  • Ovoviviparity
  • Snakes / microbiology*