DETECTION OF OPHIDIOMYCES OPHIDIICOLA IN THREE FILE SNAKES (ACROCHORDUS GRANULATUS) IMPORTED FROM INDONESIA TO THE MOSCOW ZOO (RUSSIA)

Three file snakes (Acrochordus granulates) were delivered to the Moscow Zoo (Russia) from Jakarta (Indonesia). Shortly after arrival, multiple white blisters were detected on their bodies. All three snakes died within a month of arrival. On microscopy, arthrospores and mycelium were seen in exudate from the lesions. Ophidiomyces ophidiicola was isolated from two of three snakes and identified by internal transcribed spacer sequencing. Dermatophyte test medium turned red in positive cultures and can be potentially employed for detection of O. ophidiicola, the causative agent of snake fungal disease. This is the first report of O. ophidiicola in Russia and the second reported case of ophidiomycosis in file snakes. The possible source of O. ophidiicola in snakes imported from Southeast Asia is discussed.

Automated summary

Three file snakes from Jakarta, Indonesia, brought to the Moscow Zoo in Russia, exhibited white blisters shortly after arrival, leading to the death of all three snakes within a month. A pathogenic fungus, Ophidiomyces ophidiicola, was isolated from two of the snakes, marking the first report of this fungus in Russia and the second documented case of ophidiomycosis in file snakes. The potential source of O. ophidiicola in snakes imported from Southeast Asia is discussed.