Ophidian paramyxovirus

Test code: S0268 - Ultrasensitive qualitative detection of ophidian paramyxovirus by reverse transcription coupled real time PCR.

Ophidian paramyxovirus (OPMV), also known as Fer-de-Lance virus (FDLV) or reptilian ferlavirus, is an important, highly contagious viral pathogen of snakes, but other reptiles including lizards and tortoises can also be infected. This virus belongs to the paramyxoviridae family, genus ferlavirus, and is an enveloped, single-stranded RNA virus.

OPMV is a significant concern in captive snake populations, such as those in zoos or private collections, due to its potential to cause high mortality rates. OPMV infects predominantly viperid snakes (e.g., rattlesnakes, vipers), but it can also infect non-venomous snakes (e.g., colubrids, boids, pythons). The natural host is unknown but may be a non-viperid species. Transmission of the virus is through respiratory secretions (droplets), fomites (contaminated surfaces), and vectors like mites. Congenital infection is also possible.

Infected animals can show nasal discharge, open-mouth breathing, wheezing, bloody discharge from the glottis, and hemorrhagic pneumonia. Although less frequent, infected animals can develop neurological symptoms, such as head tremors, writhing, torticollis (neck twisting), loss of righting reflex, and convulsions. Anorexia, weight loss, and general lethargy may also develop. The development of symptoms can be acute (rapid death) or chronic (slow progression). Secondary bacterial infections are common due to immune suppression.

Histopathological examination on postmortem may be helpful but is not diagnostic. Laboratory diagnosis of this viral infection is mainly by PCR (Piewbang et al., 2021; Su et al., 2020).

Utilities:

• Help confirm the disease causing agent
• Shorten the time required to confirm a clinical diagnosis of ophidian paramyxovirus infection.
• Help ensure that snake populations and facilities are free of this virus
• Early prevention of spread of this virus
• Minimize human exposure to this virus

References:
Piewbang, C., Wardhani, S.W., Poonsin, P. et al. Epizootic reptilian ferlavirus infection in individual and multiple snake colonies with additional evidence of the virus in the male genital tract. Sci. Rep. 11, 12731 (2021).

Su, J.Y., Li, J., Que, T.C., Chen, H.L., and Zeng, Y. (2020) Detection and molecular epidemiology of ferlaviruses in farmed snakes with respiratory disease in Guangxi Province, China. J. Vet. Diagn. Invest. 32:429-434.

Specimen requirements: Tracheal swab, respiratory secretions, fresh or frozen tissue, or cell culture

Contact Zoologix if advice is needed to determine an appropriate specimen type for a specific diagnostic application. For specimen types not listed here, please contact Zoologix to confirm specimen acceptability and shipping instructions.

For all specimen types, if there will be a delay in shipping, or during very warm weather, refrigerate specimens until shipped and ship with a cold pack unless more stringent shipping requirements are specified. Frozen specimens should be shipped so as to remain frozen in transit. See shipping instructions for more information

Turnaround time: 2 business days

Methodology: Qualitative reverse transcription real time PCR

Normal range: Nondetected