First report of emerging snake fungal disease caused by <i>Ophidiomyces ophiodiicola</i> from Asia in imported captive snakes in Japan

Takami, Yoshinori; Une, Yumi; Mitsui, Ikki; Hemmi, Chizuka; Takaki, Youki; Hosoya, Tsuyoshi; Nam, Kyung-Ok

doi:10.1101/2020.09.03.281154

Cited by 4 publications

(2 citation statements)

References 16 publications

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“…Ophidiomycosis is likely overreported in colubrids and viperids in comparison to other species, no doubt because of the important surveillance and research effort in North American snakes; the true number of susceptible species is likely more important than currently reported [ 4 , 11 , 27 , 46 , 49 , 52 , 53 , 54 , 55 ]. Ophidiomycosis was reported for the first time in Europe in 1985 in a captive ball python ( Python regius ) [ 27 ], in captive snakes in Japan [ 56 ], and in wild snakes in Hong Kong in 2019 [ 55 ] and in Taiwan in 2021 [ 54 ]. In North America (including Puerto Rico), Oo infection has been reported in at least 49 native snake species and in three non-native species [ 16 ].…”

Section: Overview Of Fungal Pathogensmentioning

confidence: 99%

Major Emerging Fungal Diseases of Reptiles and Amphibians

Schilliger¹,

Paillusseau²,

François³

et al. 2023

Pathogens

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Emerging infectious diseases (EIDs) are caused by pathogens that have undergone recent changes in terms of geographic spread, increasing incidence, or expanding host range. In this narrative review, we describe three important fungal EIDs with keratin trophism that are relevant to reptile and amphibian conservation and veterinary practice. Nannizziopsis spp. have been mainly described in saurians; infection results in thickened, discolored skin crusting, with eventual progression to deep tissues. Previously only reported in captive populations, it was first described in wild animals in Australia in 2020. Ophidiomyces ophidiicola (formely O. ophiodiicola) is only known to infect snakes; clinical signs include ulcerating lesions in the cranial, ventral, and pericloacal regions. It has been associated with mortality events in wild populations in North America. Batrachochytrium spp. cause ulceration, hyperkeratosis, and erythema in amphibians. They are a major cause of catastrophic amphibian declines worldwide. In general, infection and clinical course are determined by host-related characteristics (e.g., nutritional, metabolic, and immune status), pathogens (e.g., virulence and environmental survival), and environment (e.g., temperature, hygrometry, and water quality). The animal trade is thought to be an important cause of worldwide spread, with global modifications in temperature, hygrometry, and water quality further affecting fungal pathogenicity and host immune response.

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Section: Overview Of Fungal Pathogensmentioning

confidence: 99%

Major Emerging Fungal Diseases of Reptiles and Amphibians

Schilliger¹,

Paillusseau²,

François³

et al. 2023

Pathogens

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“…This in turn may lead to a reduction in fitness, which may affect reproductive output and increases the risk of predation in individual ophidians (Lorch et al, 2015a;Tetzlaff et al, 2017). Currently, O. ophidiicola has been detected on three continents in 62 wild ophidian species as well as in various captive collections and (wild) specimens in trade (Takami et al, 2020;Blanvillain et al, 2022;Ladner et al, 2022). Most past research has focused on North America due to earlier detection of the pathogen on this continent, and due to a high prevalence in certain taxa and population declines in several species in association with ophidiomycosis (Clark et al, 2011;Burbink et al, 2017;Allender et al, 2018).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Detection of Ophidiomyces ophidiicola in wild barred grass snakes (Natrix helvetica) in the Netherlands

Stark,

Beukema,

Gilbert

et al. 2024

Vlaams Diergeneeskundig Tijdschrift

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Ophidiomyces ophidiicola is the causative agent of ophidiomycosis (also called snake fungal disease) and has been associated with mycosis in individual snakes and population declines in several North American snake species. While cases of ophidiomycosis from North America have been numerous in the past two decades, reports from Europe remain sparse and are lacking from the Benelux. Between 2017 and 2023, sloughed skins, carcasses and swabs from 284 freeranging, captive and introduced snakes belonging to 22 species were screened for the presence of O. ophidiicola in the Netherlands. Two free-ranging barred grass snakes’ (Natrix helvetica) shed skin sloughs tested positive despite a lack of gross cutaneous signs of disease. These findings are presented in this article. To the authors’ knowledge, this is the first report of the presence of O. ophidiicola in the Netherlands.

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Mobile Zoos and Other Itinerant Animal Handling Events: Current Status and Recommendations for Future Policies

Warwick¹,

Pilny

Steedman³

et al. 2023

Animals

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Mobile zoos are events in which non-domesticated (exotic) and domesticated species are transported to venues such as schools, hospitals, parties, and community centres, for the purposes of education, entertainment, or social and therapeutic assistance. We conducted literature searches and surveyed related government agencies regarding existing provisions within laws and policies, number of mobile zoos, and formal guidance issued concerning operation of such events in 74 countries or regions. We also examined governmental and non-governmental guidance standards for mobile zoos, as well as websites for mobile zoo operations, assessed promotional or educational materials for scientific accuracy, and recorded the diversity of species in use. We used the EMODE (Easy, Moderate, Difficult, or Extreme) algorithm, to evaluate identified species associated with mobile zoos for their suitability for keeping. We recorded 14 areas of concern regarding animal biology and public health and safety, and 8 areas of false and misleading content in promotional or educational materials. We identified at least 341 species used for mobile zoos. Mobile zoos are largely unregulated, unmonitored, and uncontrolled, and appear to be increasing. Issues regarding poor animal welfare, public health and safety, and education raise several serious concerns. Using the precautionary principle when empirical evidence was not available, we advise that exotic species should not be used for mobile zoos and similar itinerant events.

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First report of emerging snake fungal disease caused by Ophidiomyces ophiodiicola from Asia in imported captive snakes in Japan

Cited by 4 publications

References 16 publications

Major Emerging Fungal Diseases of Reptiles and Amphibians

Major Emerging Fungal Diseases of Reptiles and Amphibians

Detection of Ophidiomyces ophidiicola in wild barred grass snakes (Natrix helvetica) in the Netherlands

Mobile Zoos and Other Itinerant Animal Handling Events: Current Status and Recommendations for Future Policies

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