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Pees M, Möller A, Schmidt V, Schroedl W, Marschang RE. The Role of Host Species in Experimental Ferlavirus Infection: Comparison of a Single Strain in Ball Pythons ( Python regius) and Corn Snakes ( Pantherophis guttatus). Animals (Basel) 2023; 13:2714. [PMID: 37684978 PMCID: PMC10486531 DOI: 10.3390/ani13172714] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2023] [Revised: 06/26/2023] [Accepted: 08/23/2023] [Indexed: 09/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Ferlaviruses are a cause of respiratory disease in snakes. Four genogroups (A, B, C, and tortoise) have been described. Disease development is believed to depend on virus, host, and environment-specific factors. There is evidence of transmission of individual strains between genera and families of reptiles. A genogroup B virus previously used in a transmission study with corn snakes (Pantherophis guttatus) was applied intratracheally in ball pythons (Python regius) using the same protocol as for the corn snakes. Ball pythons became infected, with initial mild clinical signs noted four days post infection (p.i.), and the virus was detected first in the lungs on day 4 and spread to the intestine, pancreas, kidney and brain. Hematology showed an increase in circulating lymphocytes which peaked on day 28 p.i. Antibodies were detected beginning on day 16 and increased steadily to the end of the study. In comparison to corn snakes, ball pythons exhibited milder clinical signs and pathological changes, faster development of and higher antibody titers, and a hematological reaction dominated by lymphocytosis in contrast to heterophilia in corn snakes. These differences in host reaction to infection are important to understand ferlavirus epidemiology as well as for clinical medicine and diagnostic testing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Pees
- Department of Small Mammal, Reptile and Avian Medicine, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, 30559 Hanover, Germany
| | | | - Volker Schmidt
- Clinic for Birds and Reptiles, Veterinary Teaching Hospital, University of Leipzig, 04103 Leipzig, Germany;
| | - Wieland Schroedl
- Institute of Bacteriology and Mycology, University of Leipzig, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
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Piewbang C, Wardhani SW, Poonsin P, Yostawonkul J, Chai-In P, Lacharoje S, Saengdet T, Vasaruchapong T, Boonrungsiman S, Kongmakee P, Banlunara W, Rungsipipat A, Kasantikul T, Techangamsuwan S. Epizootic reptilian ferlavirus infection in individual and multiple snake colonies with additional evidence of the virus in the male genital tract. Sci Rep 2021; 11:12731. [PMID: 34135426 PMCID: PMC8208991 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-92156-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2021] [Accepted: 06/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Reptilian ferlavirus, a pathogen of serious concern in snakes, has been reported in Western countries, but little is known about its prevalence in Thailand, where many snake breeding farms are located. In this study, we investigated the reptilian ferlavirus via swab samples derived from 49 diseased snakes and 77 healthy snakes as well as tissue samples taken from nine dead snakes from five independent snake farms. Using molecular detection, we found the ferlavirus in 8.16% of diseased snakes, but not in healthy snakes. Out of nine farmed snakes, eight snakes derived from four farms were found to be positive. Four complete genome sequences of the ferlavirus were successfully obtained and phylogenetically clustered to the highly pathogenic ferlavirus. Tissue tropism of the ferlavirus was identified in various epithelial cell types using the in situ hybridization technique. Interestingly, the hybridization signals were strongly labeled in the male genital tract. Transmission electron microscopy was used to support the ferlaviral localization in the male genital tract. This study provides the first evidence of ferlavirus localization in the male genital tract and contributes to the knowledge about ferlavirus epidemiology, indicating that there needs to be further awareness and elucidation regarding vertical transmission of reptilian ferlavirus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chutchai Piewbang
- Department of Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, 10330, Thailand.,Animal Virome and Diagnostic Development Research Group, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, 10330, Thailand
| | - Sabrina Wahyu Wardhani
- Animal Virome and Diagnostic Development Research Group, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, 10330, Thailand.,The International Graduate Course of Veterinary Science and Technology (VST), Faculty of Veterinary Science, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, 10330, Thailand
| | - Panida Poonsin
- Department of Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, 10330, Thailand.,Animal Virome and Diagnostic Development Research Group, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, 10330, Thailand
| | - Jakarwan Yostawonkul
- The International Graduate Course of Veterinary Science and Technology (VST), Faculty of Veterinary Science, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, 10330, Thailand
| | - Poowadon Chai-In
- National Nanotechnology Center (NANOTEC), National Science and Technology Development Agency (NSTDA), Thailand Science Park, Pathumthani, 12120, Thailand
| | - Sitthichok Lacharoje
- Department of Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, 10330, Thailand
| | - Thanyarat Saengdet
- Siam Serpentarium, Siam Park Recreation Co., Ltd., Bangkok, 10520, Thailand
| | - Taksa Vasaruchapong
- Snake Farm, Queen Saovabha Memorial Institute, The Thai Red Cross Society, Bangkok, 10330, Thailand
| | - Suwimon Boonrungsiman
- National Nanotechnology Center (NANOTEC), National Science and Technology Development Agency (NSTDA), Thailand Science Park, Pathumthani, 12120, Thailand
| | - Piyaporn Kongmakee
- The Zoological Park Organization under The Royal Patronage of H.M. The King, Bangkok, 10800, Thailand
| | - Wijit Banlunara
- Department of Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, 10330, Thailand
| | - Anudep Rungsipipat
- Department of Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, 10330, Thailand
| | - Tanit Kasantikul
- Clemson Veterinary Diagnostic Center, Clemson University, Columbia, SC, 29229, USA
| | - Somporn Techangamsuwan
- Department of Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, 10330, Thailand. .,Animal Virome and Diagnostic Development Research Group, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, 10330, Thailand.
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Marschang RE, Salzmann E, Pees M. Diagnostics of Infectious Respiratory Pathogens in Reptiles. Vet Clin North Am Exot Anim Pract 2021; 24:369-395. [PMID: 33892892 DOI: 10.1016/j.cvex.2021.01.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
Methods for the detection of pathogens associated with respiratory disease in reptiles, including viruses, bacteria, fungi, and parasites, are constantly evolving as is the understanding of the specific roles played by various pathogens in disease processes. Some are known to be primary pathogens with high prevalence in captive reptiles, for example, serpentoviruses in pythons or mycoplasma in tortoises. Others are very commonly found in reptiles with respiratory disease but are most often considered secondary, for example, gram-negative bacteria. Detection methods as well as specific pathogens associated with upper- and lower-respiratory disease are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Michael Pees
- Department for Birds and Reptiles, University Veterinary Teaching Hospital, University of Leipzig, Clinic for Birds and Reptiles, An den Tierkliniken 17, Leipzig 04103, Germany
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