A preliminary assessment of bacteria in “ranched” ball pythons (Python regius), Togo, West Africa

Gabriel Hoinsoudé Segniagbeto,Jennifer Rowntree,Délagnon Assou,Emma Coulthard,Delphine Ronfot,Neil D'Cruze,Jodie Bates,Mark Auliya,David Megson

doi:10.3897/natureconservation.39.48599

Abstract

Captive reptiles are routinely identified as reservoirs of pathogenic bacteria and reports of reptile-associated infections relating to some species are well documented (e.g., salmonellosis). Currently, relatively little is known about the epidemiology and bacteria of ball pythons. We carried out a survey of ball python farms in Togo, West Africa to assess the presence of any potentially pathogenic bacterial taxa that have been identified in recent scientific literature relating to this species. The presence of bacteria belonging to the genera Acinetobacter, Bacteroides, Citrobacter, Enterobacter, Lysobacter, Proteus, Pseudomonas, Staphylococcus, and Tsukamurella in oral and cloacal samples taken from five individual ball pythons is of potential concern for horizontal transmission given that pathogenic species belonging to these genera have been previously documented. The presence of bacteria belonging to the genera Clostridium, Escherichia, Moraxella, and Stenotrophomonas in the oral and rectal samples taken from five mice used to feed ball pythons suggests that they represent a potential reservoir of infection for wild caught ball pythons and their progeny. Furthermore, possible sources of environmental contamination include other captive amphibians, birds, reptiles and mammals, as well as free ranging birds and small mammals. Additional surveillance of ball pythons in the wild and in captivity at python farms in West Africa will shed light on whether or not this type of commercial activity is increasing pathogen exposure and lowering barriers to transmission. Meanwhile, as a precautionary measure, it is recommended that python farms should immediately establish biosecurity and disease surveillance practices to minimize potential horizontal and vertical bacterial transfer.

Highlights

Global demand for reptiles as exotic pets is a relatively recent phenomenon (Mitchell 2009)
We carried out a survey of ball python farms in Togo, West Africa to assess the presence of any potentially pathogenic bacterial taxa that have been identified in recent scientific literature relating to this species
The presence of bacteria belonging to the genera Acinetobacter, Bacteroides, Citrobacter, Enterobacter, Lysobacter, Proteus, Pseudomonas, Staphylococcus, and Tsukamurella in oral and cloacal samples taken from five individual ball pythons is of potential concern for horizontal transmission given that pathogenic species belonging to these genera have been previously documented

Summary

Introduction

Global demand for reptiles as exotic pets is a relatively recent phenomenon (Mitchell 2009). Global trade in wildlife (whether it legal or illegal) has been cited as a disease transmission mechanism of growing concern in recent decades (Smith et al 2009; Can et al 2019). These concerns relate to how pathogens are spread when humans capture wild animals from their natural habitats, transport them by land, sea and air and trade them dead or alive in different parts of a country or the world (e.g., Morens et al 2004; Karesh et al 2005; OIE 2017). In some scenarios reptile-associated infections can spread to humans who have had direct or indirect contact with pet snakes and feeder rodents (used as reptile food) before their illnesses occurred [e.g., Canada in late 2019; (Government of Canada 2019)]

Objectives

Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusion