[An enzootic with pseudo-tumoral manifestations in Vipera lebetina in captivity]

The authors report the clinical and epizootic evolution of an epizooty, characterized by pseudo-tumours, observed on some vipers (Vipera lebetina) maintained in captivity at the "institut Pasteur de Tunis". The disease was characterized by 2.3 cm size nodules, scattered under the skin or into splanchnic cavities. These ones, spherical and well capsuled, were formed by a mass of clear rounded cells (histiocytes or monocytes), the necrotic central area of which contained innumerable bacteria. Several reviewed works show that this appearance of chronic abcess is a common and univocal reaction to various pathogenic factors, such as bacteria and parasites. As to etiology, the authors have doubt about the pathological role of the germs which they have identified (Salmonella and other anterobacteria) because these latter belong to the normal microbial flora of snakes and are, in the present case, probably occasional infective agents only.