Ophidiomycosis in Red Cornsnakes (Pantherophis guttatus): Potential Roles of Brumation and Temperature on Pathogenesis and Transmission.

摘要: Ophidiomycosis (snake fungal disease) is caused by the fungus Ophidiomyces ophiodiicola. As ophidiomycosis difficult to study in free-ranging snakes, a reliable experimental model needed investigate transmission, pathogenesis, morbidity, and mortality, effects of brumation temperature on disease development. Our objective was develop such via subcutaneous injection O. ophiodiicola conidia red cornsnakes (Pantherophis guttatus). The used evaluate transmission co-housed inoculated noninoculated snakes. All 23 snakes developed lesions consistent with ophidiomycosis, including heterophilic granulomatous dermatitis, cellulitis, myositis, embolic granulomas throughout liver coelomic connective tissue 21/23 (91%). In 21% skin swabs, 37% exuvia, all samples tested positive qPCR (quantitative polymerase chain reaction) for A post swab from 1/12 that brumated contact qPCR, suggesting possible transmission. That snake had microscopic but no visible elements. Of 20 (87%) died over 70-day experiment, considered primary cause death; 12 (52%) during brumation. Overall, this reproduced analogous those many natural cases, internal similar most severe cases. provides tentative evidence horizontal brumation, offers tool future studies widespread disease.