Multifocal Ophidiomyces ophiodiicola Infection in an Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake (Crotalus adamanteus) without the Presence of Skin Lesions

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Abstract A 15-yr-old captive-born male Eastern diamondback rattlesnake (Crotalus adamanteus) presented for the presence of two slow-growing subcutaneous/intramuscular masses along the dorsum. Whole-body radiographs showed two subcutaneous soft tissue masses and two soft tissue opacities within the lungs. An initial punch biopsy of one of the subcutaneous masses revealed chronic granulomatous cellulitis with intralesional fungal hyphae. During a follow-up examination, repeat biopsy of one of the subcutaneous masses confirmed Ophidiomyces ophiodiicola, the causative agent of snake fungal disease, via quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) of fresh tissue. Additionally, cytology of one of the intracoelomic masses obtained via fine needle aspirate showed evidence of necrosis with fungal hyphae consistent with O. ophiodiicola. Given the multiorgan nature of this disease at the time of diagnosis, and the concern for a lack of therapeutic efficacy, the snake was euthanized. Antemortem cytology, histopathology, and necropsy revealed fungal hyphae in multiple subcutaneous/intramuscular and pulmonary granulomas that were consistent with an O. ophiodiicola infection without the presence of skin or labial pit lesions. To the authors' knowledge, this is the first report of multifocal O. ophiodiicola (snake fungal disease) infection in a crotalid without skin crusts, ulcers, or scabs present.

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