How to translate text using browser tools
1 September 2001 INFECTIOUS DISEASE SEROLOGIC SURVEY IN FREE-RANGING VENEZUELAN ANACONDAS (EUNECTES MURINUS)
Paul P. Calle, Jesús Rivas, María Muñoz, John Thorbjarnarson, William Holmstrom, William B. Karesh
Author Affiliations +
Abstract

Reptiles can harbor pathogenic microorganisms asymptomatically and serve as potential reservoirs of infection for humans, domestic animals, and other reptiles. Infectious diseases are also problematic for free-ranging reptile populations and are an important consideration in reptile reintroduction and translocation projects. There have been limited serologic studies of free-ranging reptiles for evidence of exposure to potential pathogens. In the present study, serum or plasma samples from five male and five female free-ranging Venezuelan anacondas (Eunectes murinus) were screened for antibodies to eastern, western, and Venezuelan equine encephalitis viruses, vesicular stomatitis virus, ophidian paramyxovirus, 19 Leptospira interrogans serovars, and Cryptosporidium serpentes. Antibodies to these agents were not detected, or antibody titers were low and possibly nonspecific. These results for the limited number of anacondas surveyed suggest that they do not serve as significant reservoirs for these infectious agents at this location.

Paul P. Calle, Jesús Rivas, María Muñoz, John Thorbjarnarson, William Holmstrom, and William B. Karesh "INFECTIOUS DISEASE SEROLOGIC SURVEY IN FREE-RANGING VENEZUELAN ANACONDAS (EUNECTES MURINUS)," Journal of Zoo and Wildlife Medicine 32(3), 320-323, (1 September 2001). https://doi.org/10.1638/1042-7260(2001)032[0320:IDSSIF]2.0.CO;2
Received: 17 May 2001; Published: 1 September 2001
KEYWORDS
Anaconda
cryptosporidia
Eunectes murinus
health assessment
serology
virology
RIGHTS & PERMISSIONS
Get copyright permission
Back to Top