Open AccessPost mortem identification of Kalicephalus colubri colubri (Nematoda: Diaphanocephalidae) in a captive Mole snake (Pseudaspis cana) in South Africa : clinical communication
Author(s) -
Kerstin Junker,
Emily Lane,
Betty Dlamini,
A. Kotze,
Jacob Diederik Frederik Boomker
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
journal of the south african veterinary association
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.535
H-Index - 31
eISSN - 2224-9435
pISSN - 1019-9128
DOI - 10.4102/jsava.v80i1.170
Subject(s) - pathology , stomach , biology , mole , nematode , atrophy , acid fast , medicine , ecology , tuberculosis , biochemistry , sputum
Necropsy examination of a captive emaciated, dehydrated adult female Mole snake (Pseudaspis cana) in October 2007 revealed multiple cutaneous abscesses. Other findings included renal and hepatic atrophy, hepatic haemosiderosis, multifocal granulomatous hepatitis associated with acid-fast bacteria as well as pulmonary congestion and oedema. Large numbers of the nematode Kalicephalus colubri colubri were recovered from the oesophagus and stomach, representing the 1st reported case of K. colubri from a Mole snake in South Africa. The lesions caused by K. c. colubri were insignificant, but the presence of worms may have contributed to weight loss.