A novel Mycoplasma sp. associated with proliferative tracheitis and pneumonia in a burmese python ( Python molurus bivittatus)

• Published in: Journal of comparative pathology Vol. 117; no. 3; pp. 283 - 288
• Main Authors: Penner, J.D., Jacobson, E.R., Brown, D.R., Adams, H.P., Besch-Williford, C.L.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Elsevier Ltd 01-10-1997
• Subjects: Animals; Boidae - microbiology; Male; Mycoplasma - genetics; Mycoplasma - growth & development; Mycoplasma - isolation & purification; Mycoplasma Infections - pathology; Mycoplasma Infections - veterinary; Pneumonia, Bacterial - pathology; Pneumonia, Bacterial - veterinary; Tracheitis - microbiology; Tracheitis - pathology; Tracheitis - veterinary
• ISSN: 0021-9975; 1532-3129
• DOI: 10.1016/S0021-9975(97)80024-2

Proliferative lymphocytic tracheitis and pneumonia were observed histologically in the respiratory tract of a captive Burmese python (
Python molurus bivittatus). A mycoplasma species was isolated from the respiratory tissue. Polymerase chain reaction analysis of the 16S rRNA gene sequence of the isolate showed 0·90 similarity to
Mycoplasma agassizii, an organism previously shown to cause respiratory disease in reptiles. Based on these findings, a novel
Mycoplasma species was suspected to be the causative agent of respiratory disease in this snake.