Detection of nidoviruses in samples collected from captive snakes in Europe between 2016 and 2021

Leineweber, Christoph; Marschang, Rachel E.

doi:10.1002/vetr.2588

Cited by 4 publications

(3 citation statements)

References 22 publications

(114 reference statements)

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“…Nidovirus infection seems to be common in captive pythons with similar numbers of nidovirus-positive pythons reported in two European studies (27% of 95 and 31% of 1,426 snakes) ( 51 , 54 ) and in one USA-based study (38% of 414 snakes) ( 52 ). A slightly lower (20% of 5,210 snakes) prevalence was reported among pet snakes from various European countries between 2016 and 2021 based on data from a commercial veterinary laboratory, which likely reflects selection bias ( 75 ). Green tree pythons ( 51 , 54 ) and Indian pythons ( 75 ) were the most frequently infected among species represented by more than 10 individuals.…”

Section: Frequency Of Nidovirus Infections In Selected Wildlife Popul...mentioning

confidence: 94%

“…A slightly lower (20% of 5,210 snakes) prevalence was reported among pet snakes from various European countries between 2016 and 2021 based on data from a commercial veterinary laboratory, which likely reflects selection bias ( 75 ). Green tree pythons ( 51 , 54 ) and Indian pythons ( 75 ) were the most frequently infected among species represented by more than 10 individuals. Considerably lower infection rates were reported for boas (2.4%–10%) and colubrids (0.9%), with no positive snakes from a relatively small number of other families tested ( 51 , 52 ).…”

Section: Frequency Of Nidovirus Infections In Selected Wildlife Popul...mentioning

confidence: 94%

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Wildlife nidoviruses: biology, epidemiology, and disease associations of selected nidoviruses of mammals and reptiles

Flies

Fountain-Jones

et al. 2023

mBio

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Wildlife is the source of many emerging infectious diseases. Several viruses from the order Nidovirales have recently emerged in wildlife, sometimes with severe consequences for endangered species. The order Nidovirales is currently classified into eight suborders, three of which contain viruses of vertebrates. Vertebrate coronaviruses (suborder Cornidovirineae ) have been extensively studied, yet the other major suborders have received less attention. The aim of this minireview was to summarize the key findings from the published literature on nidoviruses of vertebrate wildlife from two suborders: Arnidovirineae and Tornidovirineae . These viruses were identified either during investigations of disease outbreaks or through molecular surveys of wildlife viromes, and include pathogens of reptiles and mammals. The available data on key biological features, disease associations, and pathology are presented, in addition to data on the frequency of infections among various host populations, and putative routes of transmission. While nidoviruses discussed here appear to have a restricted in vivo host range, little is known about their natural life cycle. Observational field-based studies outside of the mortality events are needed to facilitate an understanding of the virus-host-environment interactions that lead to the outbreaks. Laboratory-based studies are needed to understand the pathogenesis of diseases caused by novel nidoviruses and their evolutionary histories. Barriers preventing research progress include limited funding and the unavailability of virus- and host-specific reagents. To reduce mortalities in wildlife and further population declines, proactive development of expertise, technologies, and networks should be developed. These steps would enable effective management of future outbreaks and support wildlife conservation.

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Section: Frequency Of Nidovirus Infections In Selected Wildlife Popul...mentioning

confidence: 94%

Section: Frequency Of Nidovirus Infections In Selected Wildlife Popul...mentioning

confidence: 94%

Wildlife nidoviruses: biology, epidemiology, and disease associations of selected nidoviruses of mammals and reptiles

Flies

Fountain-Jones

et al. 2023

mBio

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

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“…with a similar captive market dynamic, also often had higher than average viral prevalence, with carpet python prevalence rates of 74% ( n = 27), 24% ( n = 372), and 55% ( n = 31) and blood python rates of 36% ( n = 45), 44% ( n = 61), and 0% ( n = 4), across the three studies, respectively. Although not all serpentovirus prevalence studies support these trends (Leineweber and Marschang, 2023), other factors including differences in sensitivity and specificity between reverse transcription PCR protocols or still-unknown changes in serpentoviral epidemiology over time may potentially limit comparisons between studies. Regardless of species, the four studies do show a higher prevalence of serpentovirus infection in pythons than in either boid or colubrid snakes.…”

Section: Host Range and Infection Prevalencementioning

confidence: 99%

Ophidian Serpentoviruses: A Review and Perspective

Boon

Iredale

Tillis

et al. 2023

Journal of Herpetological Medicine and Surgery

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Ophidian serpentoviruses, initially referred to as nidoviruses, were first documented in captive pythons nearly ten years ago. Since then, much has been learned about these important pathogens, now classified in subfamily Serpentovirinae of family Tobaniviridae and representing an important emerging pathogen that threatens captive snakes. Serpentoviral infections are best characterized in pythons (family Pythonidae), but have also been documented in boas (family Boidae) and colubrids (family Colubridae), as well as shingleback skinks (Tiliqua rugosa), veiled chameleons (Chamaeleo calyptratus), and the Bellinger River snapping turtle (Myuchelys georgesi). Clinical signs include increased oral mucous secretion, oral mucosal reddening, dyspnea, anorexia, and weight loss. Subclinical infections can also occur, and multiple studies report a lack of correlation between clinical signs and presence of serpentoviral nucleic acids in snakes. Lesions associated with serpentoviral infections predominantly occur in the upper respiratory and gastrointestinal tracts but can also extend to the lungs. Microscopically, these lesions may consist of inflammation, epithelial proliferation, and proliferative interstitial pneumonias, which can be complicated by concurrent bacterial bronchopneumonia. The most common method of diagnosis is reverse transcription PCR to detect viral RNA, and oral/choanal swabs are reliable samples for ante- or postmortem diagnosis. Specific treatment protocols have not yet been described, and management is based on supportive care. This manuscript presents a narrative review of all serpentovirus publications to date with perspective from researchers working to further characterize these pathogens, with the goal of serving as a comprehensive clinical and diagnostic overview for clinicians, zoological curatorial staff, wildlife biologists, and hobbyists.

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In Vitro Characterization and Antiviral Susceptibility of Ophidian Serpentoviruses

et al. 2023

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Ophidian serpentoviruses, positive-sense RNA viruses in the order Nidovirales, are important infectious agents of both captive and free-ranging reptiles. Although the clinical significance of these viruses can be variable, some serpentoviruses are pathogenic and potentially fatal in captive snakes. While serpentoviral diversity and disease potential are well documented, little is known about the fundamental properties of these viruses, including their potential host ranges, kinetics of growth, environmental stability, and susceptibility to common disinfectants and viricides. To address this, three serpentoviruses were isolated in culture from three unique PCR-positive python species: Ball python (Python regius), green tree python (Morelia viridis), and Stimson’s python (Antaresia stimsoni). A median tissue culture infectious dose (TCID50) was established to characterize viral stability, growth, and susceptibility. All isolates showed an environmental stability of 10–12 days at room temperature (20 °C). While all three viruses produced variable peak titers on three different cell lines when incubated at 32 °C, none of the viruses detectably replicated at 35 °C. All viruses demonstrated a wide susceptibility to sanitizers, with 10% bleach, 2% chlorhexidine, and 70% ethanol inactivating the virus in one minute and 7% peroxide and a quaternary ammonium solution within three minutes. Of seven tested antiviral agents, remdesivir, ribavirin, and NITD-008, showed potent antiviral activity against the three viruses. Finally, the three isolates successfully infected 32 unique tissue culture cell lines representing different diverse reptile taxa and select mammals and birds as detected by epifluorescent immunostaining. This study represents the first characterization of in vitro properties of growth, stability, host range, and inactivation for a serpentovirus. The reported results provide the basis for procedures to mitigate the spread of serpentoviruses in captive snake colonies as well as identify potential non-pharmacologic and pharmacologic treatment options for ophidian serpentoviral infections.

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Detection of nidoviruses in samples collected from captive snakes in Europe between 2016 and 2021

Cited by 4 publications

References 22 publications

Wildlife nidoviruses: biology, epidemiology, and disease associations of selected nidoviruses of mammals and reptiles

Wildlife nidoviruses: biology, epidemiology, and disease associations of selected nidoviruses of mammals and reptiles

Ophidian Serpentoviruses: A Review and Perspective

In Vitro Characterization and Antiviral Susceptibility of Ophidian Serpentoviruses

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