Outbreak of Paranannizziopsis australasiensis Infection in Captive African Bush Vipers (Atheris squamigera)

Dermatomycosis Caused by Paranannizziopsis australasiensis in Nonnative Panther Chameleons (Furcifer pardalis) Captured in Central Florida, USA

“…The fungal family Nannizziopsiaceae within the order Onygenales contains several species that are considered significant reptile pathogens (Sigler et al 2013; Stchigel et al 2013; Paré et al 2020). Fungal pathogens from this group include members of the genera Nannizziopsis and Paranannizziopsis, which have been documented as causes of skin disease (dermatomycosis) in a variety of reptile taxa worldwide (Masters et al 2016; Paré and Sigler 2016; Webster 2018; Christman et al 2020; Díaz-Delgado et al 2020; Peterson et al 2020; Davy et al 2021). These pathogens have also been reported in captive species kept outside their native ranges (Paré et al 1997; Bertelsen et al 2005; Abarca et al 2010; Díaz-Delgado et al 2020).…”

“…Fungal pathogens from this group include members of the genera Nannizziopsis and Paranannizziopsis, which have been documented as causes of skin disease (dermatomycosis) in a variety of reptile taxa worldwide (Masters et al 2016; Paré and Sigler 2016; Webster 2018; Christman et al 2020; Díaz-Delgado et al 2020; Peterson et al 2020; Davy et al 2021). These pathogens have also been reported in captive species kept outside their native ranges (Paré et al 1997; Bertelsen et al 2005; Abarca et al 2010; Díaz-Delgado et al 2020). Nannizziopsis barbatae , first described in captive bearded dragons ( Pogona barbata ), has recently been identified as the cause of fatal dermatomycosis in multiple free-living lizard species across Australia, and may represent a threat to Australia's wild lizard populations (Peterson et al 2020).…”

“…Of the enclosures used, two enclosures had previously housed veiled chameleons ( Chameleo calyptratus ) and one housed knight anoles ( Anolis equestris ); all enclosures were thoroughly cleaned with 10% bleach solution prior to housing any F. pardalis . The authors had not housed Australian reptiles, nor any species or families previously reported to carry P. australasiensis (e.g., Sigler et al 2013; Masters et al 2016; Webster 2018; Díaz-Delgado et al 2020) before or during the time chameleons were housed. Of the species kept, no cases of dermatitis had been diagnosed nor any skin lesions observed.…”

“…Of note, another fungal pathogen from the Nannizziopsiaceae, Nannizziopsis dermatitidis, has been reported in four chameleon species from the genus Chamaeleo : captive Chamaeleo parsonii , Chamaeleo lateralis , and Chamaeleo jacksonii (Paré et al 1997) and experimentally infected C. calyptratus (Paré et al 2006). Infection with P. australasiensis has been reported in a handful of disparately related captive terrestrial, arboreal, and semiaquatic reptiles (tuatara, Sphenodon punctatus and coastal bearded dragon, P. barbata , Masters et al 2016; African bush vipers, Atheris squamigera , Díaz-Delgado et al 2020; file snakes, Acrochordus unknown sp., Sigler et al 2013), as well as wild tuatara, skink, and gecko species (Webster 2018). Little is known about the pathogenic mechanisms of P. australasiensis infection (reviewed in Díaz-Delgado et al 2020).…”

“…Infection with P. australasiensis has been reported in a handful of disparately related captive terrestrial, arboreal, and semiaquatic reptiles (tuatara, Sphenodon punctatus and coastal bearded dragon, P. barbata , Masters et al 2016; African bush vipers, Atheris squamigera , Díaz-Delgado et al 2020; file snakes, Acrochordus unknown sp., Sigler et al 2013), as well as wild tuatara, skink, and gecko species (Webster 2018). Little is known about the pathogenic mechanisms of P. australasiensis infection (reviewed in Díaz-Delgado et al 2020). The cutaneous lesions and yellow crusts that we saw were similar to those previously described in tuatara and bearded dragons (Masters et al 2016).…”