title: Valvulopathy consistent with endocarditis in an Argentine boa (Boa constrictor occidentalis).
abstract: An Argentine boa (Boa constrictor occidentalis) of 5 yr 7 mo of age was presented for respiratory problems and regurgitation. Radiographs revealed evidence of cardiomegaly and pneumonia. Blood smear examination revealed the presence of intracytoplasmic inclusion bodies in peripheral lymphocytes, consistent with inclusion body disease. Cultures of a tracheal wash sample resulted in growth of Ochrobactrum intermedium and Pseudomonas putida. Echocardiographic examination revealed a large vegetative lesion on the right atrioventricular valve with valvular insufficiency, a mildly dilated right atrium, and pulmonary hypertension. Postmortem examination confirmed the presence of pneumonia and bacterial endocarditis with dystrophic mineralization of the right atrioventricular valve, associated with different bacteria than those cultured from the tracheal wash. The present case is the first report of endocarditis in a boa constrictor and contributes to the rare reports of cardiac disease in snakes.
authors.forename: Morena B
authors.initials: MB
authors.lastname: Wernick
authors.forename: José
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Novo-Matos
authors.forename: Alessia
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ebling
authors.forename: Karolin
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kühn
authors.forename: Maja
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ruetten
authors.forename: Monika
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hilbe
authors.forename: Judith
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Howard
authors.forename: Rita
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Chang
authors.forename: Sarah
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Prohaska
authors.forename: Jean-Michel
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Hatt
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D017821:Boidae; D004697:Endocarditis, Bacterial / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology / Q000662:veterinary*; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D005260:Female; D024841:Fluoroquinolones / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D024841:Fluoroquinolones; C080260:marbofloxacin