Virus distribution and detection in corn snakes (Pantherophis guttatus) after experimental infection with three different ferlavirus strains

Pees, Michael; Neul, Annkatrin; Müller, Kristin; Truyen, Uwe; Leinecker, N.; Marschang, Rachel E.

doi:10.1016/j.vetmic.2015.11.024

Cited by 17 publications

(34 citation statements)

References 20 publications

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“…The experimental setup and the animals used in this study have already been described for the comparison of the ferlavirus detection rates using different methods [36]. A total of 42 adult corn snakes ( Pantherophis guttatus ) were acquired from a commercial company and underwent a thorough health check, including assessment of the clinical status, and examination for ecto- and endoparasites (visual inspection,fecal and cloacal wash sample for native assessment and flotation for parasite eggs) as well as bacterial and fungal pathogens (swabs from choana, cloaca and tracheal wash sample, aerobic culture according to the procedure described below for the lung swabs).…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Inoculation was done via the trachea using 1 ml of the thawed suspension (control group 1 ml VH2-cell culture supernatant). After application, the virus concentration of the suspension was rechecked and confirmed to be 10 6.5 TCID 50 per ml in all three samples (details see Pees et al [36]). In this manuscript, we refer to trial group A, B, C according to the viruses used (genogroup A, B, C).…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…After experimental infection, intra vitam sampling as well as post mortem examinations were conducted following a strict protocol [36]. Three snakes were euthanized and examined pathologically on days 4, 16, 27 and 49.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…It was therefore the aim of this study to comparatively examine the pathogenesis of three ferlavirus strains belonging to genogroups A, B, and C in a model species under experimental standardized conditions, and to genetically characterize and in silico analyze their surface glycoproteins. The infection studies on which this data is based have been described previously [15,36,37] regarding virus detection in the infected snakes. The present report details the pathological, histological, and bacteriological findings in the infected snakes as well as the partial molecular characterization of the viruses used in the study.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Three genetically distinct ferlaviruses have varying effects on infected corn snakes (Pantherophis guttatus)

et al. 2019

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Ferlaviruses are important pathogens in snakes and other reptiles. They cause respiratory and neurological disease in infected animals and can cause severe disease outbreaks. Isolates from this genus can be divided into four genogroups–A, B, and C, as well as a more distantly related sister group, “tortoise”. Sequences from large portions (5.3 kb) of the genomes of a variety of ferlavirus isolates from genogroups A, B, and C, including the genes coding the surface glycoproteins F and HN as well as the L protein were determined and compared. In silico analyses of the glycoproteins of genogroup A, B, and C isolates were carried out. Three isolates representing these three genogroups were used in transmission studies with corn snakes ( Pantherophis guttatus ), and clinical signs, gross and histopathology, electronmicroscopic changes in the lungs, and isolation of bacteria from the lungs were evaluated. Analysis of the sequences supported the previous categorization of ferlaviruses into four genogroups, and criteria for definition of ferlavirus genogroups and species were established based on sequence identities (80% resp. 90%). Analysis of the ferlavirus glycoprotein models showed parallels to corresponding regions of other paramyxoviruses. The transmission studies showed clear differences in the pathogenicities of the three virus isolates used. The genogroup B isolate was the most and the group A virus the least pathogenic. Reasons for these differences were not clear based on the differences in the putative structures of their respective glycoproteins, although e.g. residue and consequential structure variation of an extended cleavage site or changes in electrostatic charges at enzyme binding sites could play a role. The presence of bacteria in the lungs of the infected animals also clearly corresponded to increased pathogenicity. This study contributes to knowledge about the structure and phylogeny of ferlaviruses and lucidly demonstrates differences in pathogenicity between strains of different genogroups.

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Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Three genetically distinct ferlaviruses have varying effects on infected corn snakes (Pantherophis guttatus)

et al. 2019

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“…The highest viral load appears to be detected in the respiratory tract of the infected snakes, where the viral load is up to five times higher than in other tissues (Bodewes et al, 2014;Stenglein et al, 2014). Additionally, recent findings support the collection of tracheobronchial lavage for the aetiological diagnosis of respiratory diseases (Schmidt et al, 2013;Pees et al, 2016). Accordingly, this work was aimed at retrospectively investigating the detection of ball python nidovirus, ferlavirus, and bacterial pathogens in tracheobronchial lavages collected throughout Italy from captive ball pythons exhibiting respiratory signs.…”

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confidence: 98%

First molecular detection of ball python nidovirus in Italy – Short communication

Rampacci

Masi²,

Origgi

et al. 2019

Acta Veterinaria Hungarica

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A retrospective study was conducted to investigate the presence of ferlavirus, ball python nidovirus and bacteria in 32 tracheobronchial lavages from ball pythons raised in captivity and affected by respiratory disease. A touchdown reverse transcription polymerase reaction (RT-PCR) was performed to detect ball python nidovirus RNA targeting a 260-bp portion of the ORF1a gene, while a nested RT-PCR was applied to identify RNA targeting the 518-bp ferlavirus partial L gene. RT-PCR positive products were submitted for Sanger’s sequencing and phylogeny reconstruction. Bacteriological examinations were performed to diagnose a possible bacterial involvement. BLAST analysis revealed that the nucleotide sequences of the six (18.8%) RT-PCR positive amplicons were 90–97% identical to the partial sequence of the ORF1a gene of the recently described ball python nidovirus. All tested snakes were negative for ferlavirus. Thirteen out of 32 samples (40.6%) were bacteriologically positive. Respiratory tract diseases can be a substantial problem for snake breeders, considering the rapid transmission of respiratory pathogens. The results and published studies show that ball python nidovirus is circulating in python collections and could be linked to suboptimal management practices. Surveillance programs are desirable as part of the routine snake health assessment. Tracheobronchial lavage is a fast, practical, cost-effective procedure for sample collection.

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Corn Snakes

Kubiak¹

2020

Handbook of Exotic Pet Medicine

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Virus distribution and detection in corn snakes (Pantherophis guttatus) after experimental infection with three different ferlavirus strains

Cited by 17 publications

References 20 publications

Three genetically distinct ferlaviruses have varying effects on infected corn snakes (Pantherophis guttatus)

Three genetically distinct ferlaviruses have varying effects on infected corn snakes (Pantherophis guttatus)

First molecular detection of ball python nidovirus in Italy – Short communication

Corn Snakes

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