An unusual presentation of Chlamydia pneumoniaeinfection in a Royal Python (Python regius)

Cope, Iain; Wheelhouse, Nick; Pocknell, Ann; Dagleish, Mark; Summers, Brian

Abstract

Chlamydia species are a relatively newly recognised and emerging pathogen in reptile species. Chlamydia pneumoniae has been reported to cause infections in several snake species, as well as other reptiles and amphibia, leading to granulomatous lesions in multiple organs, enteritis, pneumonia-like signs and generalised condition loss. In this case the snake presented with anorexia, severe loss of condition and the neurological sign of loss of its righting reflex. No pneumonia-like clinical signs were present. C pneumoniae was identified by PCR from the pooled viscera and as the causal agent of the splenitis by immunolocalisation within a splenic granuloma. This the first case report of C pneumoniae infection in a Royal Python and also of the neurological presentation that makes this case unusual. C pneumoniae should be included in the list of differentials for neurological disease in snakes.

Citation

Cope, I., Wheelhouse, N., Pocknell, A., Dagleish, M., & Summers, B. (2014). An unusual presentation of Chlamydia pneumoniaeinfection in a Royal Python (Python regius). Veterinary record case reports, 2(1), Article e000086. https://doi.org/10.1136/vetreccr-2014-000086

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Aug 4, 2014
• Online Publication Date: Aug 27, 2014
• Publication Date: 2014-08
• Deposit Date: Jul 27, 2016
• Journal: Veterinary Record Case Reports
• Electronic ISSN: 2052-6121
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 2
• Issue: 1
• Article Number: e000086
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1136/vetreccr-2014-000086
• Keywords: Chlamydia pneumoniae, reptiles, amphibia,
• Public URL: http://researchrepository.napier.ac.uk/Output/318654