§ — PATHOGEN PROFILE · NIDO

Nidovirus

Serpentovirus, fam. Tobaniviridae (order Nidovirales)

The leading cause of chronic respiratory disease in pythons, particularly widespread in ball and carpet pythons. [12][13][14]

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

The pathogen

Enveloped positive-sense RNA virus. Replicates in the epithelium of the upper respiratory tract and lung.

Transmission

Aerosol and direct contact; also via shared water bowls, hands and tools. Subclinical carriers are frequent and maintain the infection in a collection.

Pathology

Proliferative and mucinous rhinitis, tracheitis and pneumonia
Hyperplasia of the respiratory epithelium with mucus accumulation
Secondary bacterial infection of the lower airway
Occasional stomatitis and oesophagitis

Clinical signs

Clear to mucoid nasal and oral discharge, bubbling
Open-mouth breathing, raised head posture, wheezing
Anorexia and gradual weight loss; death in advanced cases

Prevention

Test before every introduction and before breeding — this is the single most effective measure
Quarantine for at least 3 months with dedicated equipment
Reduce humidity extremes and ventilation faults that aggravate the airway
Keep positive animals in a permanently separate unit

Treatment options

No licensed antiviral. Supportive care, nebulisation, correct thermal gradient and antibiotics for secondary bacterial infection. Many carriers stabilise but remain infectious.

Target species

Python regius (ball python) — very common
Morelia spp. (carpet, green tree pythons)
Boidae and some colubrids
Shingleback skinks and other lizards (related serpentoviruses)

Testing note

An oral (choanal) swab is the sample of choice — sensitivity is highest when the swab reaches the choana and the back of the oral cavity. [12][13][14]

Order this test How to take the swab

Scientific references

[12]Uccellini L, Ossiboff RJ, de Matos RE, Morrisey JK, Petrosov A, Navarrete-Macias I, et al. (2014). Identification of a novel nidovirus in an outbreak of fatal respiratory disease in ball pythons (Python regius). Virology journal 11:144. DOI: 10.1186/1743-422X-11-144 · PMID: 25106433
[13]Hoon-Hanks LL, Layton ML, Ossiboff RJ, Parker JSL, Dubovi EJ, Stenglein MD (2018). Respiratory disease in ball pythons (Python regius) experimentally infected with ball python nidovirus. Virology 517:77-87. DOI: 10.1016/j.virol.2017.12.008 · PMID: 29329683
[14]Dervas E, Hepojoki J, Smura T, Prähauser B, Windbichler K, Blümich S, et al. (2020). Serpentoviruses: More than Respiratory Pathogens. Journal of virology 94:e00649-20. DOI: 10.1128/JVI.00649-20 · PMID: 32641481

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

[12]Uccellini L, Ossiboff RJ, de Matos RE, Morrisey JK, Petrosov A, Navarrete-Macias I, et al. (2014). Identification of a novel nidovirus in an outbreak of fatal respiratory disease in ball pythons (Python regius). Virology journal 11:144. DOI: 10.1186/1743-422X-11-144 · PMID: 25106433
[13]Hoon-Hanks LL, Layton ML, Ossiboff RJ, Parker JSL, Dubovi EJ, Stenglein MD (2018). Respiratory disease in ball pythons (Python regius) experimentally infected with ball python nidovirus. Virology 517:77-87. DOI: 10.1016/j.virol.2017.12.008 · PMID: 29329683
[14]Dervas E, Hepojoki J, Smura T, Prähauser B, Windbichler K, Blümich S, et al. (2020). Serpentoviruses: More than Respiratory Pathogens. Journal of virology 94:e00649-20. DOI: 10.1128/JVI.00649-20 · PMID: 32641481

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.