Fish & Wildlife Disease: Reptile Disease
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By Biological Threats and Invasive Species Research Program
September 29, 2022
Disease causing pathogens are of concern to human and wildlife health and are frequently the number one reported impairment for water resources in the United States.
Reptile Disease
Reptile Disease
Explore our science using the data below.
Emerging fungal pathogen Ophidiomyces ophiodiicola in wild European snakes Emerging fungal pathogen Ophidiomyces ophiodiicola in wild European snakes
Snake fungal disease (SFD) is an emerging disease of wild snakes in eastern North America caused by the fungus Ophidiomyces ophiodiicola. Recently, the disease has also been detected in wild snake in Europe. The data presented here describe: 1) culture, PCR, and histopathology results of wild European snakes opportunistically sampled for O. ophiodiicola, 2) colony expansion rates of...
Blood variable data for clinically normal and clinically abnormal Mojave desert tortoises (Gopherus agassizii) in 2013 Blood variable data for clinically normal and clinically abnormal Mojave desert tortoises (Gopherus agassizii) in 2013
To improve our understanding of health and immune function in tortoises, we evaluated both standard blood diagnostic (body condition, hematologic, plasma biochemistry values, trace elements, plasma proteins, vitamin A levels) and gene transcription profiles in 21 adult tortoises (11 clinically abnormal; 10 clinically normal) from Clark County, NV, USA. Necropsy and histology evaluations...
Snake dermatitis data Snake dermatitis data
Snake fungal disease (SFD) is an emerging disease of wild snakes in eastern North America caused by the fungus Ophidiomyces ophiodiicola. The data presented here describe: 1) the types of fungi recovered in culture from the skin of snakes with and without fungal skin infections, 2) the presence or absence of skin lesions in populations of snakes surveyed at several sites in Wisconsin and...
Estimates of pathogen exposure predict varying transmission likelihood: Host contact and shedding patterns may clarify disease dynamics in desert tortoises Gopherus agassizii Estimates of pathogen exposure predict varying transmission likelihood: Host contact and shedding patterns may clarify disease dynamics in desert tortoises Gopherus agassizii
These datasets (S1-S4) document the transmission of a bacterial pathogen (Mycoplasma agassizii) between desert tortoises (Gopherus agassizii). The desert tortoises were experimentally introduced in captivity and were used to create and compare models predicting transmission probability given data on the hosts and their interactions. Datasets S1 & S2 include variables describing the...
Explore our science using the publications below.
Filter Total Items: 77
Paranannizziopsis spp. infections in wild snakes and a qPCR assay for detection of the fungus Paranannizziopsis spp. infections in wild snakes and a qPCR assay for detection of the fungus
The emergence of ophidiomycosis (or snake fungal disease) in snakes has prompted increased awareness of the potential effects of fungal infections on wild reptile populations. Yet, aside from Ophidiomyces ophidiicola, little is known about other mycoses affecting wild reptiles. The closely related genus Paranannizziopsis has been associated with dermatomycosis in snakes and tuataras in...
Authors
Jeffrey M. Lorch, Megan Winzeler, Julia S. Lankton, Stephen Raverty, Heindrich N Snyman, Helen M. Schwantje, Caeley Thacker, Susan Knowles, Hugh Y Cai, Daniel A. Grear
Development and application of a qPCR-based genotyping assay for Ophidiomyces ophidiicola to investigate the epidemiology of ophidiomycosis Development and application of a qPCR-based genotyping assay for Ophidiomyces ophidiicola to investigate the epidemiology of ophidiomycosis
Ophidiomycosis (snake fungal disease) is an infectious disease caused by the fungus Ophidiomyces ophidiicola to which all snake species appear to be susceptible. Significant variation has been observed in clinical presentation, progression of disease, and response to treatment, which may be due to genetic variation in the causative agent. Recent phylogenetic analysis based on whole...
Authors
Ellen Haynes, Jeffrey M. Lorch, Matthew C. Allender
Prevalence of Ophidiomyces ophidiicola and epizootiology of snake fungal disease in free-ranging Northern Pine Snakes (Pituophis melanoleucus melanoleucus) in New Jersey Prevalence of Ophidiomyces ophidiicola and epizootiology of snake fungal disease in free-ranging Northern Pine Snakes (Pituophis melanoleucus melanoleucus) in New Jersey
Snake fungal disease, caused by Ophidiomyces ophidiicola, is recognized as a potential concern for North American snakes. We tested skin swabs from Northern Pine Snakes (Pituophis melanoleucus melanoleucus) in the New Jersey pinelands for the presence of O. ophidiicola before emergence from hibernation. We used qPCR to test the collected swabs for the presence of O. ophidiicola, then...
Authors
Joanna Burger, Michael Gochfeld, Robert T. Zappalorti, John F. Bunnell, Christian Jeitner, David Schneider, Kelly Ng, Emile DeVito, Jeffrey M. Lorch
A cross inoculation experiment reveals Ophidiomyces ophiodiicola and Nannizziopsis guarroi can each infect both snakes and lizards A cross inoculation experiment reveals Ophidiomyces ophiodiicola and Nannizziopsis guarroi can each infect both snakes and lizards
Host range and specificity are key concepts in the study of infectious diseases. However, both concepts remain largely undefined for many influential pathogens, including many fungi within the Onygenales order. This order encompasses reptile-infecting genera (Nannizziopsis, Ophidiomyces, and Paranannizziopsis) formerly classified as the Chrysosporium anamorph of Nannizziopsis vriesii...
Authors
Savannah L Gentry, Jeffrey M. Lorch, Julia S. Lankton, Anne Pringle
Ophidiomycosis is related to seasonal patterns of reproduction, ecdysis, and thermoregulatory behavior in a free-living snake species Ophidiomycosis is related to seasonal patterns of reproduction, ecdysis, and thermoregulatory behavior in a free-living snake species
Informed and effective management of emerging infectious diseases can be improved by a clear understanding of host–pathogen–environment interactions. Impacts of the seasonal environment on pathogen dynamics and host responses are poorly described in most reptile host–fungal pathogen systems. Here, we describe seasonal patterns of ophidiomycosis, a disease caused by the fungus...
Authors
C. M. Lind, J. Agugliaro, Jeffrey M. Lorch, T. M. Farrell
Fibropapillomatosis dynamics in green sea turtles Chelonia mydas over 15 years of monitoring in Akumal Bay, Quintana Roo, Mexico Fibropapillomatosis dynamics in green sea turtles Chelonia mydas over 15 years of monitoring in Akumal Bay, Quintana Roo, Mexico
ABSTRACT: Fibropapillomatosis (FP) is a tumor disease that affects all sea turtle species but is mainly seen in green turtles Chelonia mydas. The pathology of FP has been described extensively, but its dynamics in populations over time have been less studied. We analyzed the dynamics of FP in a population of green turtles in Akumal Bay on the central coast of the Mexican Caribbean. A...
Authors
Fernando A. Munoz Teneria, Vanessa Labrada-Martagon, Roberto Herrera-Pavon, Thierry M. Work, Erik Gonzalez Ballesteros, Ana Negrete-Philippe, Gisela Maldonado-Saldana
Disease causing pathogens are of concern to human and wildlife health and are frequently the number one reported impairment for water resources in the United States.
Reptile Disease
Reptile Disease
Explore our science using the data below.
Emerging fungal pathogen Ophidiomyces ophiodiicola in wild European snakes Emerging fungal pathogen Ophidiomyces ophiodiicola in wild European snakes
Snake fungal disease (SFD) is an emerging disease of wild snakes in eastern North America caused by the fungus Ophidiomyces ophiodiicola. Recently, the disease has also been detected in wild snake in Europe. The data presented here describe: 1) culture, PCR, and histopathology results of wild European snakes opportunistically sampled for O. ophiodiicola, 2) colony expansion rates of...
Blood variable data for clinically normal and clinically abnormal Mojave desert tortoises (Gopherus agassizii) in 2013 Blood variable data for clinically normal and clinically abnormal Mojave desert tortoises (Gopherus agassizii) in 2013
To improve our understanding of health and immune function in tortoises, we evaluated both standard blood diagnostic (body condition, hematologic, plasma biochemistry values, trace elements, plasma proteins, vitamin A levels) and gene transcription profiles in 21 adult tortoises (11 clinically abnormal; 10 clinically normal) from Clark County, NV, USA. Necropsy and histology evaluations...
Snake dermatitis data Snake dermatitis data
Snake fungal disease (SFD) is an emerging disease of wild snakes in eastern North America caused by the fungus Ophidiomyces ophiodiicola. The data presented here describe: 1) the types of fungi recovered in culture from the skin of snakes with and without fungal skin infections, 2) the presence or absence of skin lesions in populations of snakes surveyed at several sites in Wisconsin and...
Estimates of pathogen exposure predict varying transmission likelihood: Host contact and shedding patterns may clarify disease dynamics in desert tortoises Gopherus agassizii Estimates of pathogen exposure predict varying transmission likelihood: Host contact and shedding patterns may clarify disease dynamics in desert tortoises Gopherus agassizii
These datasets (S1-S4) document the transmission of a bacterial pathogen (Mycoplasma agassizii) between desert tortoises (Gopherus agassizii). The desert tortoises were experimentally introduced in captivity and were used to create and compare models predicting transmission probability given data on the hosts and their interactions. Datasets S1 & S2 include variables describing the...
Explore our science using the publications below.
Filter Total Items: 77
Paranannizziopsis spp. infections in wild snakes and a qPCR assay for detection of the fungus Paranannizziopsis spp. infections in wild snakes and a qPCR assay for detection of the fungus
The emergence of ophidiomycosis (or snake fungal disease) in snakes has prompted increased awareness of the potential effects of fungal infections on wild reptile populations. Yet, aside from Ophidiomyces ophidiicola, little is known about other mycoses affecting wild reptiles. The closely related genus Paranannizziopsis has been associated with dermatomycosis in snakes and tuataras in...
Authors
Jeffrey M. Lorch, Megan Winzeler, Julia S. Lankton, Stephen Raverty, Heindrich N Snyman, Helen M. Schwantje, Caeley Thacker, Susan Knowles, Hugh Y Cai, Daniel A. Grear
Development and application of a qPCR-based genotyping assay for Ophidiomyces ophidiicola to investigate the epidemiology of ophidiomycosis Development and application of a qPCR-based genotyping assay for Ophidiomyces ophidiicola to investigate the epidemiology of ophidiomycosis
Ophidiomycosis (snake fungal disease) is an infectious disease caused by the fungus Ophidiomyces ophidiicola to which all snake species appear to be susceptible. Significant variation has been observed in clinical presentation, progression of disease, and response to treatment, which may be due to genetic variation in the causative agent. Recent phylogenetic analysis based on whole...
Authors
Ellen Haynes, Jeffrey M. Lorch, Matthew C. Allender
Prevalence of Ophidiomyces ophidiicola and epizootiology of snake fungal disease in free-ranging Northern Pine Snakes (Pituophis melanoleucus melanoleucus) in New Jersey Prevalence of Ophidiomyces ophidiicola and epizootiology of snake fungal disease in free-ranging Northern Pine Snakes (Pituophis melanoleucus melanoleucus) in New Jersey
Snake fungal disease, caused by Ophidiomyces ophidiicola, is recognized as a potential concern for North American snakes. We tested skin swabs from Northern Pine Snakes (Pituophis melanoleucus melanoleucus) in the New Jersey pinelands for the presence of O. ophidiicola before emergence from hibernation. We used qPCR to test the collected swabs for the presence of O. ophidiicola, then...
Authors
Joanna Burger, Michael Gochfeld, Robert T. Zappalorti, John F. Bunnell, Christian Jeitner, David Schneider, Kelly Ng, Emile DeVito, Jeffrey M. Lorch
A cross inoculation experiment reveals Ophidiomyces ophiodiicola and Nannizziopsis guarroi can each infect both snakes and lizards A cross inoculation experiment reveals Ophidiomyces ophiodiicola and Nannizziopsis guarroi can each infect both snakes and lizards
Host range and specificity are key concepts in the study of infectious diseases. However, both concepts remain largely undefined for many influential pathogens, including many fungi within the Onygenales order. This order encompasses reptile-infecting genera (Nannizziopsis, Ophidiomyces, and Paranannizziopsis) formerly classified as the Chrysosporium anamorph of Nannizziopsis vriesii...
Authors
Savannah L Gentry, Jeffrey M. Lorch, Julia S. Lankton, Anne Pringle
Ophidiomycosis is related to seasonal patterns of reproduction, ecdysis, and thermoregulatory behavior in a free-living snake species Ophidiomycosis is related to seasonal patterns of reproduction, ecdysis, and thermoregulatory behavior in a free-living snake species
Informed and effective management of emerging infectious diseases can be improved by a clear understanding of host–pathogen–environment interactions. Impacts of the seasonal environment on pathogen dynamics and host responses are poorly described in most reptile host–fungal pathogen systems. Here, we describe seasonal patterns of ophidiomycosis, a disease caused by the fungus...
Authors
C. M. Lind, J. Agugliaro, Jeffrey M. Lorch, T. M. Farrell
Fibropapillomatosis dynamics in green sea turtles Chelonia mydas over 15 years of monitoring in Akumal Bay, Quintana Roo, Mexico Fibropapillomatosis dynamics in green sea turtles Chelonia mydas over 15 years of monitoring in Akumal Bay, Quintana Roo, Mexico
ABSTRACT: Fibropapillomatosis (FP) is a tumor disease that affects all sea turtle species but is mainly seen in green turtles Chelonia mydas. The pathology of FP has been described extensively, but its dynamics in populations over time have been less studied. We analyzed the dynamics of FP in a population of green turtles in Akumal Bay on the central coast of the Mexican Caribbean. A...
Authors
Fernando A. Munoz Teneria, Vanessa Labrada-Martagon, Roberto Herrera-Pavon, Thierry M. Work, Erik Gonzalez Ballesteros, Ana Negrete-Philippe, Gisela Maldonado-Saldana