Inclusion Body Disease of Snakes
 

A research paper has been published that identifies the cause fatal disease Inclusion Body Disease (IBD) in Boa Constrictors and Annulated Tree Boas. It appears this disease is a new virus belonging to the Arenavirus group. There is no evidence that this virus is transmissible to mammals (including humans)

Infected snakes often show odd behaviors such as star gazing and an inability to right themselves if laid on their back. Often they also have symptoms of respiratory distress and partial paralysis. Typically blood smears show inclusions bodies in their red and white blood cells.

It is suspected this virus is spread by snake mites (and possibly ticks) between snakes

Although there is currently no treatment for this disease the identification of the virus means that improved diagnostic tests can be developed to help exclude infected animals from collections.

Sources
Original paper (open access)
http://mbio.asm.org/content/3/4/e00180-12
Review paper (open access)
http://labs.vetmed.ufl.edu/files/201...JexoticPet.pdf
BBC news item
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-19261506

They claim it's related to ebola in this story from today:
http://m.yahoo.com/w/legobpengine/ne...Xq5Aq2D8%22%7D

Then of course go on to say it's not un-impossible that it could pass to humans. :rolleyes_

It's actually a very, very distant relative of Lassa fever which also belongs to the arenaviruses.

Ebola belongs to the Filoviridae family. Not that victims worry that much about where it belongs taxonomic ally.

I had a boa shipped to me last year with IBD I didn't know much about it other then the fact that it's fatal and transmitable to the rest of my animals so I hastily euthanized it, it's a shame, it was a nice boa!

For the latest peer-reviewed summary on the identification, pathology, and how to manage captive collections in the midst of IBD, go here: http://labs.vetmed.ufl.edu/files/201...JexoticPet.pdf

That was published in 2010 in the Journal of Exotic Pet Medicine and has the best review to date about the disease, and it's a fairly easy read even to those of us not in the medical profession.

Here is the most recent news release, in addition to a fantastic summary video, about the newest findings on IBD: http://www.medicaldaily.com/news/201...boas-ebola.htm

This should be a MUST READ AND WATCH for anyone who owns pythons and boas!!

thank you for posting the udpates!

these are the guys that I spoke with at a local club meeting, they need more IBD positive specimens. I have the email contact for one of the researches, I'd be happy to be a go-between if anyone has IBD positives to donate. I originally posted about that here:
http://www.faunaclassifieds.com/foru...d.php?t=303866

April, I agree that video is a must watch. Thanks for sharing guys and gals