Pneumonia with Aeromonas sobria in a Carpet Python

Aeromonas sobria was isolated and identified upon post-mortem examination from the respiratory tract and the blood of a carpet python (Morelia spilota variegata). The snake was referred to the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine of Liège for necropsy, just the day after it suddenly died without previous clinical sign. Lung and liver biopsies were performed and fixed in neutral buffered 10% formalin and paraffin embedded. Blood samples were collected via cardiocentesis, and air sac abscesses were cultured. Bacterial strains were identified as Aeromonas sobria by 16S rDNA sequencing. Based on histological and bacterial examinations, the death of this snake was attributed to a septicemia, following an acute primary, or secondary exudative pneumonia.
Aeromonas sp. is established as a potential pathogen in reptiles. Among this genus, Aeromonas hydrophila is the most frequently isolated. A. sobria has been reported as a primary pathogen in farmed perch (Perca fluviatilis) and humans. Conversely, few data are available concerning the pathogenicity of A. sobria in reptiles.
Other non-bacterial agents (virus, fungus, endoparasites) or predisposing factors (such as obesity) can also be responsible for respiratory tract disease in snakes . Unfortunately, in the current case, virological investigations were not performed.