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Identifying Infectious Agents in Snakes (Boidae and Pythonidae) with and Without Respiratory Disease.
Marline M Faulhaber1, Florence Tardy2, Anne V Gautier-Bouchardon2
1LABOKLIN GmbH & Co.KG, Labor für klinische Diagnostik, Steubenstraße 4, D-97688 Bad Kissingen, Germany.
Animals : an Open Access Journal From MDPI
|August 14, 2025
Summary
Mycoplasmas are common in snake respiratory infections, often alongside other pathogens like serpentoviruses. Comprehensive diagnostics are crucial for identifying diverse disease-causing agents in snakes.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Medicine
- Herpetology
- Microbiology
Background:
- Mycoplasmas are recognized respiratory pathogens in tortoises.
- Limited research exists on mycoplasma infections in snakes and their association with clinical signs and co-infections.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the presence and genetic diversity of mycoplasmas in snakes.
- To identify co-infections in snakes with and without respiratory disease.
- To correlate pathogen detection with clinical presentation.
Main Methods:
- Oral swabs from 15 snakes (12 pythons, 3 boas) were analyzed using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and third-generation sequencing (TGS).
- Mycoplasma isolation assays were performed.
- Pathogen detection included Mycoplasmas, serpentoviruses, Chlamydia sp., and bacterial species.
Main Results:
- Mycoplasmas were detected in 100% of snakes by PCR and 93% by TGS, genetically related to Mycoplasmopsis agassizii.
- Serpentoviruses were found in 60-67% of snakes, and Chlamydia sp. in 7-13%.
- TGS identified distinct mycoplasmas and three serpentoviruses; Brucella intermedia was isolated from cultures.
Conclusions:
- Snake respiratory disease is often multifactorial, involving various pathogens and environmental factors.
- Comprehensive diagnostics are essential for detecting diverse pathogens and understanding snake disease processes.
- Further research is needed to enhance laboratory diagnostics for reptile infectious diseases.
