Pathology associated with ophidiomycosis in wild snakes in Ontario, Canada.

Pathology associated with ophidiomycosis in wild snakes in Ontario, Canada. Can Vet J. 2020 Sep;61(9):957-962 Authors: McKenzie CM, Oesterle PT, Stevens B, Shirose L, Lillie BN, Davy CM, Jardine CM, Nemeth NM Abstract Ophidiomycosis (snake fungal disease) is the most common cause of skin lesions in free-ranging snakes in North America. Naturally infected snakes with ophidiomycosis (9 carcasses, 12 biopsies) were examined grossly and histologically. These cases comprised 32% of the 66 snake cases submitted to the Canadian Wildlife Health Cooperative-Ontario/Nunavut Node in 2012 through 2018. Affected species included the eastern foxsnake (Pantherophis vulpinus; n = 15), gray ratsnake (Pantherophis spiloides; n = 3), eastern massasauga (Sistrurus catenatus; n = 2), and queensnake (Regina septemvittata; n = 1). Severity of disease varied widely from mild microscopic skin lesions to fatal, necrotizing, and ulcerative facial lesions. Key clinical message: Ophidiomycosis should be the primary differential diagnosis for skin lesions in wild snakes, particularly in southern Ontario. PMID: 32879520 [PubMed - in process]
Source: The Canadian Veterinary Journal - Category: Veterinary Research Authors: Tags: Can Vet J Source Type: research