MULTIPLE INFECTIONS IN CAIMAN LIZARDS (DRACAENA GUIANENSIS) IMPORTED INTO EUROPE FROM PERU

All of the animals in a group of 58 juvenile caiman lizards (Dracaena guianensis) imported to Europe from a breeding farm in Peru presented, one after the other, with prostration, dyspnea, and anorexia. Six animals that died or were euthanized were examined by histopathology, PCR for the detection of ferlaviruses, adenoviruses, reoviruses (n = 3), and cryptosporidia, and virus isolation in cell culture (n = 4). The genomes of two virus isolates were sequenced by nanopore sequencing. Histopathology showed interstitial proliferative pneumonia, multifocal lymphocytic pancreatitis with acinar atrophy, mild hypertrophic enteritis with cryptosporidiosis, mild multifocal proliferative mixed-cell rhinitis, and diffuse mild hepatic lipidosis. PCRs were positive for ferlaviruses (4/6 lizards), adenoviruses (2/6), and cryptosporidia (2/6). Ferlaviruses were isolated from four animals and subsequent genome sequencing showed the virus to be closely related to a ferlavirus previously described in green anacondas (Eunectes murinus) in Hong Kong. Sequencing of the adenovirus PCR products indicated that these were a novel barthadenovirus (previously atadenovirus). The cryptosporidia were identified as Cryptosporidium avium. Although multiple pathogens were detected in these animals, ferlavirus infection is the most likely cause of the severe disease outbreak. Stress and the other pathogens likely contributed to disease severity. This is an example of the role the pet trade can play in the international movement of pathogens, and confirms again that lizards can be affected by ferlaviruses.