Nidovirus
Serpentovirus, fam. Tobaniviridae (order Nidovirales)
The leading cause of chronic respiratory disease in pythons, particularly widespread in ball and carpet pythons. [12][13][14][22]
- Method
- PCR
- Sample material
- Oral swab
- Catalogue code
- NIDO
The pathogen
Enveloped positive-sense RNA virus. Replicates in the epithelium of the upper respiratory tract and lung.
Transmission
Aerosol and direct contact; also via shared water bowls, hands and tools. Subclinical carriers are frequent and maintain the infection in a collection.
Pathology
- Proliferative and mucinous rhinitis, tracheitis and pneumonia
- Hyperplasia of the respiratory epithelium with mucus accumulation
- Secondary bacterial infection of the lower airway
- Occasional stomatitis and oesophagitis
Clinical signs
- Clear to mucoid nasal and oral discharge, bubbling
- Open-mouth breathing, raised head posture, wheezing
- Anorexia and gradual weight loss; death in advanced cases
Prevention
- Test before every introduction and before breeding — this is the single most effective measure
- Quarantine for at least 3 months with dedicated equipment
- Reduce humidity extremes and ventilation faults that aggravate the airway
- Keep positive animals in a permanently separate unit
Treatment options
No licensed antiviral. Supportive care, nebulisation, correct thermal gradient and antibiotics for secondary bacterial infection. Many carriers stabilise but remain infectious.
References
- [12]Uccellini L, Ossiboff RJ, de Matos RE, Morrisey JK, Petrosov A, Navarrete-Macias I, et al. (2014). Identification of a novel nidovirus in an outbreak of fatal respiratory disease in ball pythons (Python regius). Virology journal 11:144. DOI: 10.1186/1743-422X-11-144 · PMID: 25106433
- [13]Hoon-Hanks LL, Layton ML, Ossiboff RJ, Parker JSL, Dubovi EJ, Stenglein MD (2018). Respiratory disease in ball pythons (Python regius) experimentally infected with ball python nidovirus. Virology 517:77-87. DOI: 10.1016/j.virol.2017.12.008 · PMID: 29329683
- [14]Dervas E, Hepojoki J, Smura T, Prähauser B, Windbichler K, Blümich S, et al. (2020). Serpentoviruses: More than Respiratory Pathogens. Journal of virology 94:e00649-20. DOI: 10.1128/JVI.00649-20 · PMID: 32641481
- [22]Hoon-Hanks LL, Ossiboff RJ, Bartolini P, Fogelson SB, Perry SM, Stöhr AC, et al. (2019). Longitudinal and Cross-Sectional Sampling of Serpentovirus (Nidovirus) Infection in Captive Snakes Reveals High Prevalence, Persistent Infection, and Increased Mortality in Pythons and Divergent Serpentovirus Infection in Boas and Colubrids. Frontiers in veterinary science 6:338. DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2019.00338 · PMID: 31632990
Place your order
Choose the analyses and animals, then pay by card or MobilePay
Collect and return the samples
Use one labelled oral swab per animal and follow the return instructions
Receive the test result
Typically within 7 days after the laboratory receives the sample
This profile is reference information for keepers and breeders. It is not a diagnosis and does not replace veterinary advice. Medicines mentioned are prescription-only and must be used under veterinary supervision.