Detection of Mycoplasma spp. from snakes from five different families
Abstract Background Mycoplasmas are an important cause of respiratory diseases in tortoises. In snakes, evidence of mycoplasma infections has been found almost exclusively in pythons. To better understand the occurrence of these bacteria in other snake species, samples submitted for routine testing...
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BMC
2025-01-01
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| Series: | BMC Veterinary Research |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12917-025-04487-4 |
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| author | Marline M. Faulhaber Florence Tardy Franziska Saul Elisabeth Müller Michael Pees Rachel E. Marschang |
| author_facet | Marline M. Faulhaber Florence Tardy Franziska Saul Elisabeth Müller Michael Pees Rachel E. Marschang |
| author_sort | Marline M. Faulhaber |
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| description | Abstract Background Mycoplasmas are an important cause of respiratory diseases in tortoises. In snakes, evidence of mycoplasma infections has been found almost exclusively in pythons. To better understand the occurrence of these bacteria in other snake species, samples submitted for routine testing for respiratory pathogens were also tested for mycoplasma by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). A total of 640 samples (mostly oral swabs) from snakes of 5 different families (Boidae n = 114, Colubridae n = 109, Elapidae n = 34, Pythonidae n = 301 and Viperidae n = 82) were included in the study. A genus-specific PCR (PCR1) developed for the detection of Mycoplasma [Mycoplasmopsis] agassizii and a pan-mycoplasma PCR (PCR2) were used. PCR products were sequenced for validation and phylogenetic analysis was performed. The sampled animals were from various owners and collections, all in human care at the time of sampling. Clinical background information was not provided. Results Using PCR1, mycoplasmas were detected in 175 (175/640, 27%) samples (Boidae: 7/114, 6%; Colubridae: 3/109, 3%; Elapidae: 8/34, 24%; Pythonidae: 155/301, 51%; Viperidae: 2/82, 2%). A higher percentage of positive results were obtained using PCR2 (258/640, 40%; Boidae: 9/114, 8%; Colubridae: 25/109, 23%; Elapidae: 19/34, 56%; Pythonidae: 172/301, 57%; Viperidae: 33/82, 40%). The detected bacteria can be divided into at least 6 genetically diverse clusters representing different genera and species based on multiple sequence alignment and phylogenetic analysis. Conclusions These results show that diverse mycoplasmas are found in pythons and other snakes. Further investigations are necessary to evaluate the role of various mycoplasmas in respiratory diseases in snakes. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-1d72f7afd37645de85c1ed1646280a0b |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 1746-6148 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-01-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
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| series | BMC Veterinary Research |
| spelling | doaj-art-1d72f7afd37645de85c1ed1646280a0b2025-02-02T12:29:09ZengBMCBMC Veterinary Research1746-61482025-01-0121111110.1186/s12917-025-04487-4Detection of Mycoplasma spp. from snakes from five different familiesMarline M. Faulhaber0Florence Tardy1Franziska Saul2Elisabeth Müller3Michael Pees4Rachel E. Marschang5LABOKLIN GmbH & Co.KG, Labor für klinische DiagnostikMycoplasmology, Bacteriology and Antimicrobial Resistance UnitLABOKLIN GmbH & Co.KG, Labor für klinische DiagnostikLABOKLIN GmbH & Co.KG, Labor für klinische DiagnostikDepartment of Small Mammal, Reptile and Avian Medicine and Surgery, University of Veterinary Medicine HannoverLABOKLIN GmbH & Co.KG, Labor für klinische DiagnostikAbstract Background Mycoplasmas are an important cause of respiratory diseases in tortoises. In snakes, evidence of mycoplasma infections has been found almost exclusively in pythons. To better understand the occurrence of these bacteria in other snake species, samples submitted for routine testing for respiratory pathogens were also tested for mycoplasma by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). A total of 640 samples (mostly oral swabs) from snakes of 5 different families (Boidae n = 114, Colubridae n = 109, Elapidae n = 34, Pythonidae n = 301 and Viperidae n = 82) were included in the study. A genus-specific PCR (PCR1) developed for the detection of Mycoplasma [Mycoplasmopsis] agassizii and a pan-mycoplasma PCR (PCR2) were used. PCR products were sequenced for validation and phylogenetic analysis was performed. The sampled animals were from various owners and collections, all in human care at the time of sampling. Clinical background information was not provided. Results Using PCR1, mycoplasmas were detected in 175 (175/640, 27%) samples (Boidae: 7/114, 6%; Colubridae: 3/109, 3%; Elapidae: 8/34, 24%; Pythonidae: 155/301, 51%; Viperidae: 2/82, 2%). A higher percentage of positive results were obtained using PCR2 (258/640, 40%; Boidae: 9/114, 8%; Colubridae: 25/109, 23%; Elapidae: 19/34, 56%; Pythonidae: 172/301, 57%; Viperidae: 33/82, 40%). The detected bacteria can be divided into at least 6 genetically diverse clusters representing different genera and species based on multiple sequence alignment and phylogenetic analysis. Conclusions These results show that diverse mycoplasmas are found in pythons and other snakes. Further investigations are necessary to evaluate the role of various mycoplasmas in respiratory diseases in snakes.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12917-025-04487-4MycoplasmaSnakePythonElapidRespiratory diseaseReptile |
| spellingShingle | Marline M. Faulhaber Florence Tardy Franziska Saul Elisabeth Müller Michael Pees Rachel E. Marschang Detection of Mycoplasma spp. from snakes from five different families BMC Veterinary Research Mycoplasma Snake Python Elapid Respiratory disease Reptile |
| title | Detection of Mycoplasma spp. from snakes from five different families |
| title_full | Detection of Mycoplasma spp. from snakes from five different families |
| title_fullStr | Detection of Mycoplasma spp. from snakes from five different families |
| title_full_unstemmed | Detection of Mycoplasma spp. from snakes from five different families |
| title_short | Detection of Mycoplasma spp. from snakes from five different families |
| title_sort | detection of mycoplasma spp from snakes from five different families |
| topic | Mycoplasma Snake Python Elapid Respiratory disease Reptile |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12917-025-04487-4 |
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