Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 3, 2026

Helminth Collection and Identification from Wildlife
Published on: December 14, 2013
Intestinal coccidioidomycosis in a red coachwhip snake (Masticophis flagellum piceus)
Sarah M Churgin1, Michael M Garner2, Julie Swenson3
1Phoenix Zoo, 455 North Galvkin Parkway, Phoenix, AZ 85008, USA. churgin@svm.vetmed.wisc.edu
Abstract:
An adult female, wild-caught red coachwhip snake (Masticophis flagellum piceus) was euthanized at the Phoenix Zoo due to severe neurologic signs. Necropsy and histopathology revealed an invasive liposarcoma of the vertebral column, which likely caused the neurologic signs. Histology of the small intestine revealed a granuloma with intralesional yeasts morphologically compatible with the genus Coccidioides. The diagnosis of coccidioidomycosis was confirmed with immunohistochemistry staining. Coccidioides posadasii is endemic to Arizona and is an important cause of disseminated fungal infections in mammals in this region. This is the first known report of intestinal coccidioidomycosis in a veterinary species and the second report of coccidioidomycosis in a reptile.

