Inclusion Body Disease (Reptarenavirus)

Definition

IBD is a chronic, multisystemic wasting disease affecting several species of boid snakes worldwide.

Clinical Signs

The clinical signs are not pathognomonic and may vary, but generally comprise regurgitation, incoordination, disorientation, opistotonus, torticollis, disequilibrium, lack of righting reflex.

Diagnosis

Diagnosis of IBD requires laboratory confirmation. Available tests include the following:

Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), immunohistochemistry, Cytological examination of blood smears for detection of inclusions, histopathology, electron microscopy and virus isolation.

Treatment

Currently, no specific therapy is available for IBD. Isolation and/or euthanasia of animals within collections is often recommended.

Prognosis

Disease progression in pythons is often rapid and prognosis poor to grave. In boas, the disease can be protracted, and with supportive care, snakes may live for months if not years. However, ultimately the prognosis is poor.

Quarantine (at least 6 months), repeat testing, and isolation/ removal of positive animals (or those showing consistent signs) are fundamental. Routine testing of a representative set of animals in the collection is recommended. Virus replication is reduced at high temperatures (37°C).

Evidence of vertical transmission of co-infecting reptarenaviruses has been recently reported. A juvenile affected snake would develop inclusion bodies from the age of 2 months onward.

References

Origgi, F. C. (2019). Inclusion Body Disease (Reptarenavirus). In Mader's Reptile and Amphibian Medicine and Surgery (pp. 1318-1319). WB Saunders.