Adenoviruses are mostly found in lizards and snakes, but have also been detected in turtles and tortoises. In these animals, infections have been associated with anorexia, oral lesions, and diarrhea. Adenoviruses can be detected in cloacal swabs in live animals and in liver and intestine of dead animals via PCR.
Our PCR detects adenoviruses of the genus Atadenovirus (mostly detected in different species of snakes and lizards, but also in tortoises) and also of the genus Testadenovirus (it is the proposed name for Adenoviruses found in different tortoise and turtle species).
Sample Requirements
swab (cloaca or pharynx), tracheal lavage, tissue (e.g. intestine or liver)
Turnaround
1-2 weeks
2 ) Arena Virus (Inclusion Body Disease / IBD)
Species
Boa
,
Python
.
The Disease
Arenaviruses have recently been described as the likely cause of inclusion body disease (IBD) in boas and pythons. IBD is characterized by inclusion bodies found in cells of various tissues throughout the body. It appears to weaken the immune system of affected animals and is often associated with CNS signs as well as regurgitation in affected animals. In live animals, a combination of whole blood and esophageal swabs or, alternatively, a liver biopsy can be used for virus detection. In dead animals, brain and liver are particularly important for PCR testing. In pythons, the brain should always be tested.
our pcr detects definitely the CASV (california academy of sciences virus), GGV (golden gate virus) and CVV (collierville virus) strain. But a negative result can not exclude the presence of an IBD virus, because of the variability of arenavirus.
Clinical Signs
Inclusion body disease (IBD) (boas and pythons)
Description
The test is able to detect members of the currently known species in the genus reptarenavirus, which are: Giessen reptarenavirus, California reptarenavirus, Golden reptarenavirus, Golden Gate Virus, Ordinary reptardnavirus, and Rotterdam reptarenavirus, which are currently listed in ICTV. Of these, Giessen reptarenavirus is most common and has been hypothesized to be involved in disease development. There maybe other unclassified / mutated strains which may or may not be detected by the test.
Sample Requirements
EDTA blood, blood smear, tissue (e.g. liver, pancreas, kidney, or brain), swab (oesophagus). Please note that heparin blood isn't optimal sample however if you want to use blood and unable to obtain EDTA blood then we will accept heparin bllod sample.
Turnaround
1-2 weeks
3 ) Nido Virus (serpentovirus)
Species
Python
.
Clinical Signs
Pneumonia, stomatitis (pythons)
Description
Viruses in the order Nidovirales have recently been described in ball pythons in various countries. They are associated with pneumonia and stomatitis and appear to be important pathogens in various python species. Virus detection can be carried out from oral swabs and tracheal washes, in dead animals the lung should be included for diagnostic testing.
Sample Requirements
swab (pharynx or trachea), tracheal lavage, tissue (e.g. lung or trachea)
Ferlavirusvirus infections are most commonly found in vipers, elapids, and colubrids, but are also seen in boas and pythons. Clinical signs of disease include nasal discharge, dyspnea, recurring, therapy resistent pneumonia as well as CNS signs. In live animals, virus can be detected in oral and cloacal swabs or tracheal washes by PCR. Appropriate tissues for testing include lung, intestine, liver, and kidney.
Chelonian
In turtles and tortoises, the virus is associated with respiratory disease
Lizards
Ferlaviruses are mostly found in snakes, but can also infect lizards. Clinically, infected lizards may appear healthy or may develop respiratory disease. Virus detection is carried out as described for snakes.
Sample Requirements
Snakes:Oral and cloacal swabs, tracheal washes, lung, liver, kidney, pancreas
Chelonian: Oral and cloacal swabs, lung, liver, kidney, intestine
Lizards: Oral and cloacal swabs, lung, liver, intestine
Reoviruses are (in addition to adenoviruses) among the viruses most commonly detected in lizards and snakes. They can, however, also be found in turtles and tortoises. The most common clinical signs associated with infections in lizards and snakes are respiratory disease, particularly pneumonias. These viruses have also been associated with the development of papillomatous skin lesions in lizards. Oral swabs, skin, and lung samples have been used for virus detection.
Snakes
Reoviruses are not uncommon in snakes. Clinical signs and diagnosis are as described for lizards.
Several Mycoplasma spp. exist in tortoises. An infection with a virulent Mycoplasma
agassizii strain causes the so-called upper respiratory tract disease (URTD), a disease
clinically characterised by serous, mucous and purulent nasal discharge as well as
ocular discharge, conjunctivitis and eyelid oedema. Furthermore, it can cause lethargy,
dehydration, anorexia and fatal cachexia. An essential trait of mycoplasma infections is the fact that they can persist in the organism without triggering any symptoms. Often, the disease only breaks out if there are other microorganisms and environmental factors involved, combined with the genetic properties and immune reactions of the host.
Mycoplasmas are also detected in turtles and other reptiles, especially pythons, but
little is known about their clinical relevance.
Microbiology_UK_2024.pdf
Complete the order form and send it together
with your samples to the following address:
Laboklin (UK), Unit 20, Wheel Forge Way, Trafford Park, Manchester, M17 1EH
If you have any queries, please contact us on: Tel: 0161 282 3066 email: info@laboklin.co.uk
