§ — PATHOGEN PROFILE · ADV

Adenovirus

Atadenovirus, fam. Adenoviridae

The classic agent of 'inclusion body hepatitis' in bearded dragons and a common finding in snakes and lizards. [4][5]

Method: PCR
Sample material: Oral swab
Catalogue code: ADV

The pathogen

Non-enveloped double-stranded DNA virus. Highly stable in the environment and resistant to many common disinfectants.

Transmission

Faecal-oral, and vertically from dam to clutch in bearded dragons. Infected juveniles often come from apparently healthy parents.

Pathology

Necrotising hepatitis with basophilic intranuclear inclusion bodies
Enteritis and necrosis of the intestinal epithelium
Splenic and renal necrosis in severe cases
Encephalopathy in a subset of affected lizards

Clinical signs

Failure to thrive and stunted growth in hatchlings
Anorexia, diarrhoea, dehydration
Lethargy, opisthotonos, seizures; high mortality in young animals

Prevention

Test parent animals before breeding; do not breed positive stock
Rear clutches separately and test before sale
Use disinfectants with proven activity on non-enveloped viruses (e.g. peroxide-based)
Never mix hatchlings from different sources

Treatment options

No licensed antiviral. Supportive care (fluids, assisted feeding, optimal thermal gradient) and treatment of concurrent coccidiosis and bacterial infection. Positive animals should be excluded from breeding.

Target species

Pogona vitticeps (bearded dragon) — very widespread
Chamaeleonidae, Varanidae, Gekkonidae

Testing note

PCR on an oral swab detects shed viral DNA. Shedding is intermittent; combine screening with quarantine and retesting before breeding decisions. [4][5]

Order this test How to take the swab

Scientific references

[4]Papp T, Fledelius B, Schmidt V, Kaján GL, Marschang RE (2009). PCR-sequence characterization of new adenoviruses found in reptiles and the first successful isolation of a lizard adenovirus. Veterinary microbiology 134:233-40. DOI: 10.1016/j.vetmic.2008.08.003 · PMID: 18824312
[5]Fredholm DV, Coleman JK, Childress AL, Wellehan JF Jr (2015). Development and validation of a novel hydrolysis probe real-time polymerase chain reaction for agamid adenovirus 1 in the central bearded dragon (Pogona vitticeps). Journal of veterinary diagnostic investigation : official publication of the American Association of Veterinary Laboratory Diagnosticians, Inc 27:249-53. DOI: 10.1177/1040638715576564 · PMID: 25776549

PCR detection depends on specimen quality, sampling time, intermittent shedding and the analytical method. A negative PCR result applies only to the submitted sample.

Other investigations

References

[4]Papp T, Fledelius B, Schmidt V, Kaján GL, Marschang RE (2009). PCR-sequence characterization of new adenoviruses found in reptiles and the first successful isolation of a lizard adenovirus. Veterinary microbiology 134:233-40. DOI: 10.1016/j.vetmic.2008.08.003 · PMID: 18824312
[5]Fredholm DV, Coleman JK, Childress AL, Wellehan JF Jr (2015). Development and validation of a novel hydrolysis probe real-time polymerase chain reaction for agamid adenovirus 1 in the central bearded dragon (Pogona vitticeps). Journal of veterinary diagnostic investigation : official publication of the American Association of Veterinary Laboratory Diagnosticians, Inc 27:249-53. DOI: 10.1177/1040638715576564 · PMID: 25776549

Order a kit
Prepared for your animal and typically delivered within 7 days
Send the samples
Take the sample and send it directly to the laboratory
Receive the test result
Typically within 7 days after the laboratory receives the sample

This profile is reference information for keepers and breeders. It is not a diagnosis and does not replace veterinary advice. Medicines mentioned are prescription-only and must be used under veterinary supervision.