Intestinal coccidioidomycosis in a red coachwhip snake (Masticophis flagellum piceus).
An adult female, wild-caught red coachwhip snake (Masticophis flagellum piceus) was euthanized at the Phoenix Zoo due to severe neurologic signs. Necropsy and histopathology revealed an invasive liposarcoma of the vertebral column, which likely caused the neurologic signs. Histology of the small intestine revealed a granuloma with intralesional yeasts morphologically compatible with the genus Coccidioides. The diagnosis of coccidioidomycosis was confirmed with immunohistochemistry staining. Coccidioides posadasii is endemic to Arizona and is an important cause of disseminated fungal infections in mammals in this region. This is the first known report of intestinal coccidioidomycosis in a veterinary species and the second report of coccidioidomycosis in a reptile.
Phoenix Zoo, 455 North Galvkin Parkway, Phoenix, AZ 85008, USA. churgin@svm.vetmed.wisc.edu
Sarah M
SM
Churgin
Northwest ZooPath, 654 West Main, Monroe, WA 98272, USA.
Michael M
MM
Garner
Phoenix Zoo, 455 North Galvkin Parkway, Phoenix, AZ 85008, USA.
Julie
J
Swenson
Washington Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory, Bustad Hall 155N, Pullman, WA 99164, USA.
Daniel S
DS
Bradway
Department of Pathobiology and Diagnostic Investigation, Diagnostic Center for Population and Animal Health, Michigan State University, 4125 Beaumont Road, Lansing, MI 48910, USA.
Stephanie
S
French
Department of Pathobiology and Diagnostic Investigation, Diagnostic Center for Population and Animal Health, Michigan State University, 4125 Beaumont Road, Lansing, MI 48910, USA.
Matti
M
Kiupel
Phoenix Zoo, 455 North Galvkin Parkway, Phoenix, AZ 85008, USA.
Gary
G
West
D000818:Animals; D000836:Animals, Zoo; D003045:Coccidioides / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D003047:Coccidioidomycosis / Q000473:pathology / Q000662:veterinary*; D005260:Female; D012911:Snakes