title: Subspectacular nematodiasis caused by a novel Serpentirhabdias species in ball pythons (Python regius).
abstract: Subspectacular nematodiasis was diagnosed in three captive-bred juvenile ball pythons (Python regius) from two unrelated facilities within a 6-month period. The snakes were presented with similar lesions, including swelling of facial, periocular and oral tissues. Bilaterally, the subspectacular spaces were distended and filled with an opaque fluid, which contained nematodes and eggs. Histopathology showed nematodes throughout the periocular tissue, subspectacular space and subcutaneous tissue of the head. The nematodes from both facilities were morphologically indistinguishable and most closely resembled Serpentirhabdias species. Morphological characterization and genetic sequencing indicate this is a previously undescribed rhabdiasid nematode.
authors: Department of Surgical Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Wisconsin, 2015 Linden Drive, Madison, WI, USA.
authors: J C
authors: JC
authors: Hausmann
authors: Department of Surgical Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Wisconsin, 2015 Linden Drive, Madison, WI, USA. Electronic address: cmans@vetmed.wisc.edu.
authors: C
authors: C
authors: Mans
authors: Department of Pathobiological Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Wisconsin, 2015 Linden Drive, Madison, WI, USA.
authors: J
authors: J
authors: Dreyfus
authors: Zoo and Exotic Pathology Service, 2825 KOVR Drive, West Sacramento, CA, USA.
authors: D R
authors: DR
authors: Reavill
authors: Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Cornell University, Tower Road, Ithaca, NY, USA.
authors: A
authors: A
authors: Lucio-Forster
authors: Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Cornell University, Tower Road, Ithaca, NY, USA.
authors: D D
authors: DD
authors: Bowman
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D017821:Boidae / Q000469:parasitology*; D012205:Rhabdiasoidea / Q000235:genetics*; D017196:Rhabditida Infections / Q000473:pathology / Q000662:veterinary*
keywords: Serpentirhabdias spp.; ophthalmology; reptile; snake