Cryptosporidium serpentis

Cryptosporidium serpentis
Scientific classification
Domain: Eukaryota
(unranked): Diaphoretickes
Clade: SAR
Infrakingdom: Alveolata
Phylum: Apicomplexa
Class: Conoidasida
Subclass: Coccidia
Order: Eucoccidiorida
Suborder: Eimeriorina
Family: Cryptosporidiidae
Genus: Cryptosporidium
Species:
C. serpentis
Binomial name
Cryptosporidium serpentis
Norman D. Levine, 1980

Cryptosporidium serpentis is a protozoal parasite that infects the gastrointestinal tract of snakes.[1] Sporated oocysts of C. serpentis are intermittently shed in the feces, and transmission is primarily via fecal-oral route. C. serpentis is a gastric parasite, primarily colonizing the stomach. Unlike mammalian Cryptosporidium - that is usually self-limiting - C. serpentis remains chronic and in most cases, eventually lethal in snakes. Cryptosporidiosis infection has been documented in a variety of snake species worldwide, such as North American Corn snakes (Elaphe guttata guttata)[2] and Australian Taipans (Oxyuranus scutellatus),[3] both free-living and captive. Necropsy examinations of expired captive snakes infected with C. serpentis note characteristic gastric mucosal hypertrophy (enlargement of the stomach lining) that, in time, narrows the gastric lumen, resulting in classic symptoms of repetitive regurgitation and anorexia.[4] Due to the enlargement of the stomach lining, a noticeable midbody bulge can be palpable and commonly visible.[5] Frequent mucoid stools have been reported. However, some snakes will display no external symptoms at all throughout their lifetime, yet still remain infectious to counterparts.

No proven cure exists for C. serpentis, but some drugs, such as Paromomycin, have proven promising results in the treatment of captive King cobras (Ophiophagus hannah).[6] Also significantly promising is the use of bovine colostrum, carefully administered to the snake via a stomach tube lubricated with vegetable oil, and accompanied by thorough weekly cleaning of the terrarium with 7% hydrogen peroxide in a well-ventilated area and with the use of goggles and gloves.[7][8] Since snakes are ectothermic, higher temperatures have been correlated with an increased immune response, and may result in subsiding infection.[9]

Mammal associated Cryptosporidium, such as C. parvum and C. muris have been found in the gastrointestinal tracts of snakes (due to consuming infected rodents), however the mammal equivalent appears non-infectious in serpentine hosts.[10] C. serpentis cannot infect humans or other mammals.

References

  1. ↑ Purdue University. Cryptosporidiosis in Snakes. 1996. https://www.addl.purdue.edu/newsletters/1996/summer/snakes.shtml
  2. ↑ Molecular Analysis of the 18S rRNA Gene of Cryptosporidium serpentis in a Wild-Caught Corn Snake (Elaphe guttata guttata) and a Five-Species Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism- Based Assay That Can Additionally Discern C. parvum from C. wrairi L. M. Kimbell III, D. L. Miller, W. Chavez, N. Altman Applied and Environmental Microbiology Dec 1999, 65 (12) 5345-5349; DOI: 10.1128/AEM.65.12.5345-5349.1999
  3. ↑ CRYPTOSPORIDIUM SPP. IN WILD AND CAPTIVE REPTILES Steve J. Upton ; Chris T. McAllister ; Paul S. Freed ; Susan M. Barnard J Wildl Dis (1989) 25 (1): 20–30. https://doi.org/10.7589/0090-3558-25.1.20
  4. ↑ Cryptosporidium serpentis in snakes. Cryptosporidium serpentis in snakes By Eric Snook, DVM, PhD. July 9, 2018. https://tvmdl.tamu.edu/2018/07/09/cryptosporidium-serpentis-in-snakes/
  5. ↑ Yimming, Benjarat et al. “Molecular Identification of Cryptosporidium Species from Pet Snakes in Thailand.” The Korean journal of parasitology vol. 54,4 (2016): 423-9. doi:10.3347/kjp.2016.54.4.423
  6. ↑ Anne E. Rivas, Donal M. Boyer, Kevin Torregrosa, William J. Orrico, Jean A. Paré "TREATMENT OF CRYPTOSPORIDIUM SERPENTIS INFECTION IN A KING COBRA (OPHIOPHAGUS HANNAH) WITH PAROMOMYCIN," Journal of Zoo and Wildlife Medicine, 49(4), 1061-1063, (1 December 2018)
  7. ↑ Graczyk, T.K. (January 31, 1998). "THERAPEUTIC EFFICACY OF HYPERIMMUNE BOVINE COLOSTRUM TREATMENT AGAINST CLINICAL AND SUBCLINICAL CRYPTOSPORIDIUM SERPENTIS INFECTIONS IN CAPTIVE SNAKES". Veterinary Parasitology. 74 (2–4): 123–132. doi:10.1016/s0304-4017(97)00153-2. PMID 9561700. Retrieved April 24, 2021.
  8. ↑ Christman, Kristin. "THE STORY OF SLACKITH THE SNAKE". Synertek Colostrum. Retrieved April 24, 2021.
  9. ↑ Understanding the vertebrate immune system: insights from the reptilian perspective L. M. Zimmerman, L. A. Vogel, R. M. Bowden Journal of Experimental Biology 2010 213: 661-671; doi: 10.1242/jeb.038315
  10. ↑ Xiao, Lihua et al. “Genetic diversity of Cryptosporidium spp. in captive reptiles.” Applied and environmental microbiology vol. 70,2 (2004): 891-9. doi:10.1128/aem.70.2.891-899.2004
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