Ophidiomyces ophiodiicola

Ophidiomyces ophiodiicola was first described as Chrysosporium ophiodiicola by Josef Guarro and colleagues in 2009 from infected snakes. Morphologically, the fungus resembled members of the genus Chrysosporium, and was thought to be closely related to the reptile pathogen that had been referred to as the Chrysosporium anamorph Nannizziopsis vriesii (CANV). The genus Ophidiomyces was erected to accommodate this fungus in 2013 when DNA sequencing confirmed it to be a member of the family Onygenaceae but genetically distinct from members of the genus Chrysosporium.[1]

O. ophiodiicola Isolates from Nerodia clarkii

Cultures of O. ophiodiicola are powdery with whitish mycelium that becomes light yellowish with age. The cultures emit a pungent, skunk like odour. Optimal growth for O. ophiodiicola occurs at a temperature of 25 °C. Most isolates fail to grow at 35 °C. O. ophiodiicola is able to grow over pH range of 5–11 with optimal growth observed at pH of 9. O. ophiodiicola is able tolerate matric induced water stress below -5 MPa. The fungus exhibits strong urease activity and produces robust growth on ammonium sulfate, sulfite and thiosulfate.[2]

No sexual state has been identified in the fungus O. ophiodiicola. Vegetative hyphae of O. ophiodiicola are narrow, branched and septate. Occasional racquet mycelia are observed. O. ophiodiicola reproduces asexually by the production of conidia. The conidia are produces at the end of short stalks ranging from 2.5 to 7.5 μm in length and 1.5 to 2.5 μm in width. The conidia range from 3 to 12.5 μm long and 1.3 to 3.5 μm wide.[3] and are released by rhexolytic dehiscence in which the walls of cell compartments adjacent to conidia erode, freeing the conidia from attached hyphae.[3] The conidia are colourless to pale yellow and smooth-walled.[2]

Ecology of O. ophiodiicola is not well known but it is believed that O. ophiodiicola persist as an environmental saprobe in soil as well living hosts. O. ophiodiicola is able to utilize multiple carbon and nitrogen sources, tolerate range of pH, naturally occurring sulfur compound and low matric potential. These are most characteristics required to live in soil. Good growth on dead fish, insect, mushroom tissue and demineralized shrimp exoskeleton is observed. O. ophiodiicola physiological characteristics indicate that it is capable of growing in numerous ecosystem. [2]

The mode of transmission is unknown, but is speculated to occur with direct contact between individuals or with the contaminated environment. Different symptoms can be seen in different species of snakes. In pit viper species facial swelling, cloudy eyes, improperly shed skin, roughened scales, dermal or subcutaneous granuloma and destruction of venom glands can be seen.[4] In massasaugas O. ophiodiicola infection infect deep muscle tissue and bone. Also lesions can be observed on the skin of the entire body.[2] In colubrids species snake fungal disease is reported to appear as pneumonia, ocular infection and subcutaneous nodules.[2] In Garter snake skin lesions are observed. The infection is reported to be systemic where it affects the lungs, liver and eyes.[2]

Ophidiomycosis lesions on Hoplocephalus bungaroides from O. ophiodiicola infection

Infection begins in the outer most layer of the skin stratum corneum and progresses into the epidermis. Once the infection reaches epidermis, the snake's immune response becomes activated and immune cells are recruited at the site of infection, causing the epidermis to become necrotic and thickened after a few days.[5]

Lesions begins at the edge of individual scales and progress to adjacent scales. As lesions progress scales became rough and hyperpigmented. Lesions progressively become larger and severe until the snake sheds its skin. Fluid filled vesicles formed between the new and old skin resulting in improper shedding of the skin; fragments of the old skin remains on the snake. Histological studies show skin lesions includes areas of necrosis and granulocytic inflammation in the superficial to midepidermis. Mild chronic lymphoplasmacytic to lymphohistiocytic inflammation in the liver, lungs, heart, stomach and colon can be observed as well.[6]

The emergence of ophidiomycosis due to O. ophiodiicola has caused great concern for the conservation of snake populations in the Eastern United States. Confirmed cases of ophidiomycosis have been reported in 23 states in USA though the disease is believed to be more widespread than has been documented.[7] Multiple species of snakes that are affected including the Northern water snake (Nerodia sipedon), eastern racer (Coluber constrictor), rat snake (Pantherophis obsoletus species complex), timber rattlesnake (Crotalus horridus), massasauga (Sistrurus catenatus), pygmy rattlesnake (Sistrurus miliarius), and milk snake (Lampropeltis triangulum).[8] It is reported that population of rattlesnake in New Hampshire reduced to 19 from 40 due to ophidiomycosis caused by O. ophiodiicola.[2]

There is no antifungal treatment available for O. ophiodiicola. Current option for managing ophidiomycosis is rehabilitating individual snakes. Such a strategy is impractical for many snake populations because it can be difficult to locate the majority of individuals within the population, is resource intensive, and fails to prevent reinfection.[5] National Wildlife Health Center along with other organizations and researchers are working together to develop management strategies to mitigate disease impact.[8]