[Cryptosporidiosis in adders (Pituiophis melanoleucus sayi)]

Infection of snakes with cryptosporidia is known to occur as hypertrophic gastritis associated with postprandial regurgitation. This is a report of a severe and fatal intestinal cryptosporidiosis in a group of snakes (Pituophis melanoleucus sayi) kept at a zoological garden. The clinical and pathological findings are described and discussed in this paper. Pathohistologically fibrinous, diphtheroid and necrotizing enteritides were diagnosed. Histological examination was completed by electron microscopy. Transmission electron microscopic examination revealed numerous cryptosporidia in close contact to the luminal surface of the intestinal epithelial cells. Different cryptosporidial stages developing in parasitophorous vacuoles occurred. By scanning electron microscopy the superficial localisation of the cryptosporidia in the damaged brush border of the intestinal epithelial cells was demonstrated. In addition, the ultrastructural examination of the small intestine of three animals revealed adenovirus-like particles.