Identification of Adenovirus- and Dependovirus-like Agents in an Outbreak of Fatal Gastroenteritis in Captive Born California Mountain Kingsnakes, Lampropeltis zonata multicincta

Abstract

ABSTRACT A group of seven juvenile California mountain kingsnakes, Lampropeltis zonata multicincta , developed severe acute gastroenteritis characterized by emesis, dehydration and sudden death. Histopathology demonstrated segmental mucosal necrosis and hyperplasia, villus blunting and fusion. Abundant basophilic Cowdry type-A intranuclear inclusions were demonstrated in enterocytes peripheral to the zone of acute necrosis throughout the small intestine. Electron microscopy demonstrated intranuclear crystalline arrays of non-enveloped virus-like particles that measured 65 to 70 nm in diameter. Clusters of smaller non-enveloped virus-like particles that measured 15 to 18 nm in diameter were found in association with the larger particles. The size, morphology and location of the two virus-like particles were consistent with an adenovirus and a parvovirus. The presence of the parvovirus-like particles in the same nuclei and in association with adenovirus-like particles suggested the parvovirus-like agent to be a member of the genus Dependovirus .