Snake Fungus in the US

[Jeff B]

Date: Thu 25 Apr 2013
Source: Canadian Cooperative Wildlife Health Centre (CCWHC)/Healthy Wildlife
[edited] <Snake Fungal Disease in the United States – NWHC Wildlife Health Bulletin | Healthy Wildlife (http://www.healthywildlife.ca/?p=2578)>


Snake fungal disease (SFD) is an emerging disease in certain populations of wild
snakes in the eastern and midwestern United States. While fungal infections were
occasionally reported in wild snakes prior to 2006, recently the number of
free-ranging snakes with fungal dermatitis submitted to the USGS National Wildlife
Health Center (NWHC) and other diagnostic laboratories has been increasing.
Laboratory analyses have demonstrated that the fungus _Chrysosporium ophiodiicola_
is consistently associated with SFD, but often, additional fungi are isolated from
affected snakes. At this time, definitive evidence that _C. ophiodiicola_ causes SFD
is inconclusive.
As its name implies, SFD is only known to afflict snakes.

Several agencies, organizations, researchers, and other key stakeholders, including
the NWHC, are working together to investigate this potentially emerging disease and
to learn more about the impacts that SFD is having on snake populations in the
eastern and midwestern United States. We encourage conservation agencies and natural
resource managers to contact the NWHC if snakes with clinical signs consistent with
SFD are encountered.

For [additional information and] the full NWHC wildlife health bulletin [including
photos], please visit
<https://www.nwhc.usgs.gov/disease_information/other_diseases/snake_fungal_disease.jsp>
and
<http://www.nwhc.usgs.gov/publications/wildlife_health_bulletins/WHB_2013-02_Snake_Fungal_Disease.pdf>.

--

[While this article encourages caution regarding the causative organism, in 2009
isolation and characterization of _Chrysosporium ophiodiicola_ from a mycotic
granuloma of a black rat snake (_Elaphe obsoleta obsoleta_) were reported. Analysis
of the sequences of different fragments of the ribosomal genes demonstrated this
species belongs to the order Onygenales and that it is genetically different from
other morphologically similar species of _Chrysosporium_. This new species is unique
in having both narrow and cylindrical-to-slightly clavate conidia and a strong,
pungent odor.

Because it was reported in 2009, and now reported from a government organization
that has likely been tracking occurrences, it may be a reasonable assumption that
snake fungal disease has spread significantly and that what was reported in 2009 is
not an isolated event.

[guidofatherof5]

Thanks for the info.

[Selkielass]

This looks just like infections and deformed scales/scale rot I see regularly on wild snakes in my area.
(Lake st Claire flows into the Detroit river, and from there into lake Ontario, where this has been documented.)
I have one sweet girl currently in my care who has an inch long section of deformed scales above her vent.

I've treated it as a standard scale rot/infection. Dry substrate, betadine baths, and antibiotic ointment on infections.
All my rescues well enough to eat w good appetite have recovered, tho all continue to show scars in affected areas.

See posts about 'Cranky' to see some pics of what I've been seeing. Cranky is still doing great.

ETA: post about Cranky. Pics of recovered snake on page 3.
http://www.thamnophis.com/forum/urgent-care/10190-draining-lump.html

Ill see if I can manage pics of Sunny belly later. She's on the mend (one shed) but still has considerable scale deformation. Ill call the nature center later to see if anyone in Michigan is studying this.

[guidofatherof5]

Does anyone know of any photos of this SFD? Confirmed cases.
There seems to be some photos out there but nothing confirming Chrysosporium ophiodiicola (SFD)

[Jeff B]

Steve if you follow the first link there is lots of pictures

[guidofatherof5]

OK, Thanks.

[Billy_80]

We'll keep a keen eye up here in the NW.

[Selkielass]

Just heard from Jeff Lorch at the university of Wisconsin, Madison about collecting samples of infected snakes for testing.

Ill ask permission to share his correspondence here.
They are definitely looking for samples of possibly infected snakes to confirm infection, and to add to their map.

[guidofatherof5]

Steve if you follow the first link there is lots of pictures

That will teach me to read more then the first page. I bookmarked it and then ask a stupid question.:D DUH.

[Steveo]

Just heard from Jeff Lorch at the university of Wisconsin, Madison about collecting samples of infected snakes for testing.

Ill ask permission to share his correspondence here.
They are definitely looking for samples of possibly infected snakes to confirm infection, and to add to their map.

Does your contact have a scientific collection permit? I'll keep an eye out but I'd have to be on someone's permit to collect most of the species I come across (meaning I'll grab it, but I'm not going to mail it unless I'm legal).

[guidofatherof5]

I think it's very important for all of us doing any field herping to watch for snakes exhibiting an signs of this disease. Checking both live and any dead snakes we come across. This is especially true of snakes in the affected areas.
I would suggest STRICT hygiene practices when handling any snakes. When I herp I carry a box or hand sanitizing wipe in my backpack and a Ziploc bag for the trash.
I think this precaution is important not only for SFD (Snake Fungal Disease) but for any nasties that might try make their way back into our collections.
Just a thought.

[ConcinusMan]

I heard about this months ago. I sure hope that it doesn't spread to the captive collections. Shipping the infection all over the country sure wouldn't be a good thing and it's quite possible that's how it got in the wild in the first place. Maybe from some reptiles from overseas that are immune and escaped carrying the fungus.