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Adenovirus hepatitis in a boa constrictor (Boa constrictor)
A Ramis1, H Fernández-Bellon, N Majó
1Department of Pathology, School of Veterinary Medicine, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Spain.
Summary
A boa constrictor died from severe liver disease. Microscopic examination revealed intranuclear inclusions, leading to a diagnosis of adenoviral infection confirmed by electron microscopy and in situ hybridization.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Pathology
- Herpetology
- Virology
Background:
- Postmortem evaluation of a boa constrictor was performed.
- The animal presented with no significant gross lesions, except for hepatic abnormalities.
Observation:
- Histopathological examination of the liver revealed severe, multifocal to coalescing coagulative necrotic hepatitis.
- Distinct basophilic and eosinophilic intranuclear inclusions were observed within hepatocytes in necrotic areas.
Findings:
- The observed lesions and inclusions strongly suggested a viral etiology.
- Transmission electron microscopy and in situ hybridization confirmed an adenoviral infection.
Implications:
- This case highlights adenoviral hepatitis as a potential cause of mortality in boa constrictors.
- The findings contribute to the understanding of viral diseases affecting captive reptiles.