Abstract
Among the diseases that can affect snakes in captivity, infectious diseases are one of the main factors responsible for high morbidity and mortality rates. One of the main agents is Pseudomonas spp. that, besides being zoonotic, is generally multiresistant to several antimicrobials, representing a public health risk. This paper aims to report the occurrence of multidrug-resistant Pseudomonas sp. in M. spilota presenting vesicular dermatitis, as well as the microbiological, pathological and therapeutic description. In the care of a 7-year-old male carpet python, we noticed several vesicles containing a translucent viscous liquid, located in the skin of the entire body of the animal, in addition to some depigmented and elevated scales. Thus, material was collected from a freshly opened vesicle for bacterial culture and antibiogram. Blood was also collected for hematological and serum biochemical tests. Due to the suspicion of bacterial infection, treatment was instituted using enrofloxacin, ketoprofen, and potassium permanganate baths. After treatment, it was noticed that the vesicles had ceased, but after about ten days the animal died, suggesting systemic involvement. Hematological exams showed heterophilic leukocytosis, lymphocytosis, and monocytosis, besides an increase in AST. The results of the culture and antibiogram were available after the death of the animal, suggesting Pseudomonas spp. with resistance to several drugs. This paper describes the first report of vesicular dermatitis caused by multidrug-resistant Pseudomonas spp. in M. spilota, thus assisting in the medicine and ex situ conservation of these animals.
Highlights
The carpet python (Morelia spilota Lacepede, 1804) is a non-venomous snake belonging to the order Squamata and family Pythonidae
Because species of the genus Pseudomonas are part of the normal microbiota of captive snakes, generally there is a clinical disease when there is some factor that leads to immunosuppression, as in this case where the recent transport and change of environment may have contributed to the stress and consequent drop in immunity
Infectious dermatitis, often manifested as cutaneous vesicles or fluid-filled "blisters" that can range from a slimy to caseous consistency, is a common infection in snakes, under-reported
Summary
The carpet python (Morelia spilota Lacepede, 1804) is a non-venomous snake belonging to the order Squamata and family Pythonidae. This species is native to Australia, Indonesia, and New Guinea. (Stahl, 2002; Mitchell, 2004; Tallowin et al., 2017; Sala et al, 2019). In these places, management errors such as inadequate temperature, humidity and ventilation are factors that are often associated with stress, reproductive seasons, and concomitant diseases, which favor the growth of opportunistic microorganisms. Snakes can be affected by several bacterial and fungal diseases, which in several cases are zoonotic, as in the case of Aeromonas hydrophila, Salmonella spp. and Pseudomonas spp. (Ebani & Fratini, 2005; Ferreira et al, 2012, 2014; Romero et al, 2015; Sala et al, 2019; Martins et al., 2017, 2021)
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
