Identification of a novel nidovirus in an outbreak of fatal respiratory disease in ball pythons (Python regius)

Lorenzo Uccellini, Robert J. Ossiboff, Ricardo Ec De Matos, James K. Morrisey, Alexandra Petrosov, Isamara Navarrete-Macias, Komal Jain, Allison L. Hicks, Elizabeth L. Buckles, Rafal Tokarz, Denise McAloose, Walter Ian Lipkin

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Background: Respiratory infections are important causes of morbidity and mortality in reptiles; however, the causative agents are only infrequently identified. Findings. Pneumonia, tracheitis and esophagitis were reported in a collection of ball pythons (Python regius). Eight of 12 snakes had evidence of bacterial pneumonia. High-throughput sequencing of total extracted nucleic acids from lung, esophagus and spleen revealed a novel nidovirus. PCR indicated the presence of viral RNA in lung, trachea, esophagus, liver, and spleen. In situ hybridization confirmed the presence of intracellular, intracytoplasmic viral nucleic acids in the lungs of infected snakes. Phylogenetic analysis based on a 1,136 amino acid segment of the polyprotein suggests that this virus may represent a new species in the subfamily Torovirinae. Conclusions: This report of a novel nidovirus in ball pythons may provide insight into the pathogenesis of respiratory disease in this species and enhances our knowledge of the diversity of nidoviruses.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Article number144
JournalVirology Journal
Volume11
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - Aug 8 2014
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Nidovirales
  • Pneumonia
  • Reptile
  • Snake

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Virology
  • Infectious Diseases

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