Oral Abscess Caused by Chryseobacterium indologenes in Ball Python (Python regius); A Case Report

Area of Science:

• Veterinary Microbiology
• Herpetology
• Zoonotic Disease Research

Background:

• Chryseobacterium indologenes is recognized as an opportunistic pathogen primarily associated with human infections.
• While occasionally found in aquatic animals, its role in reptilian pathology remains largely unexplored.

Observation:

• A 3-year-old male ball python presented with acute respiratory and swallowing failure, exhibiting oral secretions and abscesses.
• Microbiological analysis, including 16S rRNA sequencing, identified Chryseobacterium indologenes as the causative agent of the oral abscess.

Findings:

• Phylogenetic analysis revealed the ball python isolate is closely related to human strains of C. indologenes.
• The isolate demonstrated multi-drug resistance but remained susceptible to minocycline, ceftazidime, and tetracycline.
• The python recovered fully after two weeks of targeted antibiotic therapy.

Implications:

• This case represents the first documented instance of Chryseobacterium indologenes causing an oral abscess in a ball python.
• The findings suggest C. indologenes should be considered an opportunistic animal pathogen with potential zoonotic implications.
• This emphasizes the importance of considering C. indologenes in reptilian oral infections and its potential transmission to humans.