Page 21 - Parasites in pet reptiles

Rataj et al. Acta Veterinaria Scandinavica 2011, 53:33 Page 19 of 20
http://www.actavetscand.com/content/53/1/33

the wild can be carriers of many different parasites, 7. Soldati G, Lu ZH, Vaughan L, Polkinghorne A, Zimmermann DR, Huder JB,
some of which can infect humans. However, by practis- Pospischil A: Detection of mycobacteria and chlamydiae in
granulomatous inflammation of reptiles: a retrospective study. Vet Pathol
ing good sanitation and personal hygiene, and keeping 2004, 41:388-397.
snakes, lizards and turtles out of the food preparation 8. Hernandez-Divers SJ, Shearer D: Pulmonary mycobacteriosis caused by
areas, it is possible to minimize the risk. All reptiles Mycobacterium haemophilum and M. marinum in a royal python. JAm
Vet Med Assoc 2002, 220:1661-1663, 1650.
have to be examined and tested for specific pathogens 9. Kostka VM, Hoffmann L, Balks E, Eskens U, Wimmershof N: Review of the
(endo and ectoparasites, salmonella, leptospira, etc.) literature and investigations on the prevalence and consequences of
yeasts in reptiles. Vet Rec 1997, 140:282-287.
prior to introducing them to our homes. In our investi-
10. Hassl A, Benyr G, Sommer R: Occurrence of Cryptosporidium sp. oocysts
gation we could not establish the causes of death, but in fecal and water samples in Austria. Acta Trop 2001, 80:145-149.
we can conclude that the presence of different endo- 11. De Meneghi D: Pentastomes (Pentastomida, Armillifer armillatus Wyman,
1848) in snakes from Zambia. Parassitologia 1999, 41:573-574.
and ectoparasites have an important role on the health
12. Tappe D, Büttner DW: Diagnosis of human visceral pentastomiasis. PLoS
status of reptiles and on the development of other Neglected Tropical Diseases 2009, 3(2)[http://dx.plos.org/10.1371/journal.
diseases. pntd.0000320].
13. Pietzsch M, Quest R, Hillyard PD, Medlock JM, Leach S: Importation of
exotic ticks into the United Kingdom via the international trade in
reptiles. Exp Appl Acarol 2006, 38:59-65.
Acknowledgements
14. Schultz H: Human infestation by Ophionyssus natricis snake mite. Br J
We would like to gratefully acknowledge the support of The Ministry for
Dermatol 1975, 93:695-697.
Environment and Spatial Planning, Environmental Agency of the Republic of
15. Giery ST, Ostfeld RS: The role of lizards in the ecology of Lyme disease in
Slovenia. The leading author would also like to sincerely thank all breeders
two endemic zones of the northeastern United States. J Parasitol 2007,
for their unselfish help especially one of them, in spite of his mistakes. From
93:511-517.
mistakes we learn.
16. Jongejan F: Experimental transmission of Cowdria ruminantium
And in the end, to all creatures of this world, we are thankful that they
tolerate people on the earth, for they could just simply grind us to powder. (Rickettsiales) by the American reptile tick Amblyomma dissimile Koch,
1844. Exp Appl Acarol 1992, 15:117-121.
17. Pozio E, Marucci G, Casulli A, Sacchi L, Mukaratirwa S, Foggin CM, La
Author details
1 Rosa G: Trichinella papuae and Trichinella zimbabwensis induce infection
University of Ljubljana, Veterinary Faculty, Institute for Microbiology and
2
Parasitology, Gerbičeva 60, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia. University of Ljubljana, in experimentally infected varans, caimans, pythons and turtles.
Veterinary Faculty, Institute for Health Care of Poultry, Gerbičeva 60, 1000 Parasitology 2004, 128:333-342.
3
Ljubljana, Slovenia. University of Zagreb, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, 18. Terrell SP, Stacy BA: Reptile necropsy technicues. In Infectious Diseases and
4
Department of Biology, Heinzelova 55, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia. Ministry of Pathology of Reptiles. Edited by: Jacobson ER. Boca Raton, CRC Press;
the Environment and Spatial Planning, Environmental Agency, Vojkova 1B, 2007:219-256.
19. Telford SR Jr: Parasitic diseases of reptiles. J Am Vet Med Assoc 1971,
1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia.
159:1644-1652.
20. Sun H: Human parasitic diseases originating from reptile consumption or
Authors’ contributions
contact. In The biology, husbandry, and health care of reptiles. Volume 3 v.
AD, RLK and KV have been involved in the initial design of the study and (xv, 972, 16 p.). Edited by: Ackerman LJ. Neptune City, NJ: T.F.H. Publications;
protocols. AVR has been responsible for the parasitological work. AD has 1997:628-653.
been the main responsible for data analysis in corporation with UM. All 21. Mader DR: Reptile medicine and surgery Philadelphia: W.B. Saunders; 1996.
authors have contributed substantially to the editing of the manuscript.
22. Paré J: An Overview of Pentastomiasis in Reptiles and Other Vertebrates.
Journal of Exotic Pet Medicine 2008, 17:285-294.
Competing interests 23. Klingenberg RJ: Understanding reptile parasites: a basic manual for
The authors declare that they have no competing interests.
herpetoculturists & veterinarians Lakeside, CA, USA: Advanced Vivarium
Systems; 1993.
Received: 6 January 2011 Accepted: 30 May 2011 24. Klingenberg R: Diagnosing parasites in old world Chameleons. Exotic DVM
Published: 30 May 2011
2000, 1:17-21.
25. Beck W, Pantchev N: Parasitosen bei Reptilien. In Praktische Parasitologie
References bei Heimtieren. Edited by: Beck W, Pantchev N. Hannover, Germany:
1. Dovč A, Vergles Rataj A, Lindtner-Knific R, Zorman-Rojs O, Krapež U, Kleinsäuger - Vögel - Reptilien - Bienen; 2006:229-293.
Ocepek M, Cigler B, Jerič B, Zadravec M: Health status of wild varanus 26. Greiner EC, Schumacher J: Parasitologie. In Atlas der Reptilien - krankheiten.
captured from nature [Pregled zdravstvenega stanja pri varanih, Edited by: Ackerman L. Ruhmannsfelden: Bede Verlag; 2000:153-168.
ulovljenih v divjini]. Proceedings of the 1st Croatian - Slovenian symposium 27. Rundquist E: Parasiten bei reptilian und amphibien Ruhmannsfelden: bede
about exotic and wild animals; 25-27st November 2004; Zagreb, Croatia Verlag; 1996.
Croatian Veterinary Society and Slovenian Veterinary Association; 2004, 28. Traversa D, Iorio R, Otranto D, Modry D, Slapeta J: Cryptosporidium from
21-23. tortoises: Genetic characterisation, phylogeny and zoonotic implications.
2. Dauphin G, Zientara S, Zeller H, Murgue B: West Nile: worldwide current Mol Cell Probes 2008, 22:122-128.
situation in animals and humans. Comp Immunol Microbiol Infect Dis 2004, 29. Barnard SM, Upton SJ, Durden LA: A veterinary guide to the parasites of
27:343-355. reptiles Malabar, Fla.: Krieger Pub. Co.; 1994.
3. Spalatin J, Connell R, Burton AN, Gollop BJ: Western Equine Encephalitis in 30. Klingenberg R: Diagnosing parasites in ball pythons. Exotic DVM 2000, 2-
Saskatchewan Reptiles and Amphibians, 1961-1963. Can J Comp Med Vet 4:33-38.
Sci 1964, 28:131-142. 31. Klingenberg R: Diagnosing parasites of Bearded Dragons. Exotic DVM
4. Pasmans F, Martel A, Boyen F, Vandekerchove D, Wybo I, Immerseel FV, 1999, 1:19-23.
Heyndrickx M, Collard JM, Ducatelle R, Haesebrouck F: Characterization of 32. Flach EJ, Riley J, Mutlow AG, McCandlish IA: Pentastomiasis in Bosc’s
Salmonella isolates from captive lizards. Vet Microbiol 2005, 110:285-291. monitor lizards (Varanus exanthematicus) caused by an undescribed
5. Minette HP: Leptospirosis in poikilothermic vertebrates. A review. Int J Sambonia species. J Zoo Wildl Med 2000, 31:91-95.
Zoonoses 1983, 10:111-121. 33. Girling S, Raiti P, British Small Animal Veterinary Association: BSAVA manual
6. Jacobson ER, Heard D, Andersen A: Identification of Chlamydophila of reptiles. 2 edition. Quedgeley [England]: British Small Animal Veterinary
pneumoniae in an emerald tree boa, Corallus caninus. J Vet Diagn Invest Association; 2004.
2004, 16:153-154.