Mycoplasma spp. in captive snakes (Boa constrictor and Bothrops atrox) from Brazil

Although rare, mycoplasmas are included among the causes of respiratory diseases in reptiles and, in the order Squamata, three reports of these microorganisms causing diseases in pythons have already been reported. This study aimed to evaluate the occurrence of Mycoplasma species in captive snakes....

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Published inCiência rural Vol. 51; no. 1
Main Authors Magalhães, Barbara Souza Neil, Machado, Leandro dos Santos, Figueira, Arthur de Almeida, Dias, Thomas Salles, Feijó, Thiago de Almeida, Barreto, Maria Lucia, Tuffanelli, Giulia de Almeida, Cunha, Nathalie Costa da, Nascimento, Elmiro Rosendo do, Pereira, Virginia Léo de Almeida, Almosny, Nádia Regina Pereira
Format Journal Article
LanguagePortuguese
Published Universidade Federal de Santa Maria 2021
Subjects
AGRONOMY
Mollicutes
Boidae
Mycoplasmosis
Order Squamata
Viperidae
Micoplasmose
Ordem Squamata
Molicutes
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Summary:Although rare, mycoplasmas are included among the causes of respiratory diseases in reptiles and, in the order Squamata, three reports of these microorganisms causing diseases in pythons have already been reported. This study aimed to evaluate the occurrence of Mycoplasma species in captive snakes. A total of 26 snakes of the families Pythonidae (13), Boidae (7), Viperidae (5) and Colubridae (1) from RioZoo, Brazil, were evaluated. Animals were examined to determine clinical signs consistent with any infectious disease. Tracheal swab samples from snakes were collected in Frey medium and analyzed for the presence of Mycoplasma spp.by isolation and a genus-specific PCR. DNA sequencing analyses of six positive samples by PCR were carried out to identify the species. Using isolation 19.23% (5/26) was positive, while 65.38% (17/26) of the animals were positive by PCR. Based on the analyses of the six sequences obtained, there was similarity with a Mycoplasma spp. previously described in a phyton and, M. agassizii and M. testudineum reported in chelonians. This is the first report of Mycoplasma spp. in animals of the families Boidae and Viperidae. Mycoplasma spp. were detected in snakes with and without clinical signs. The mycoplasmas reported resented identity (range, 95% to 100%) to others already described in reptiles. There was no relationship between the presence of Mycoplasma spp. and clinical signs.
ISSN:1678-4596
DOI:10.1590/0103-8478cr20200583