Isolation of the entomopathogenic fungus Beauveria bassiana from a skin lesion in a wild Nikolsky's viper (Vipera berus nikolskii)

Abstract

Mycotic lesions of the skin of snakes are often associated with the fungus Ophidiomyces ophiodiicola, but other pathogens can cause similar signs. A skin sample from a wild Nikolsky's viper (Vipera berus nikolskii) with dermal lesions was collected in eastern Ukraine. A pure fungal culture was obtained and identified using nucleotide sequence analysis as the entomopathogenic species Beauveria bassiana sensu lato. Although Beauveria spp are considered to be non-pathogenic in vertebrates, sporadic infections have been reported. This report highlights the need to explore various pathogens when diagnosing the cause of snake integumentary lesions.

Keywords: Beauveria bassiana; Nikolsky's viper; Vipera berus nikolskii; fungus.