CLINICAL COMMUNICATION

Post mortem identification of Kalicephalus colubri colubri (Nematoda: Diaphanocephalidae) in a captive Mole snake (Pseudaspis cana) in South Africa

K Junker^I; E P Lane^II; B Dlamini^II; A Kotze^{II, III}; J Boomker^I

^IDepartment of Veterinary Tropical Diseases, University of Pretoria, Private Bag X04, Onderstepoort, 0110 South Africa
^IINational Zoological Gardens of South Africa, Pretoria, PO Box 754, Pretoria, 0001 South Africa
^IIIGenetics Department, University of the Free State, PO Box 339, Bloemfontein, 9300 South Africa

ABSTRACT

Necropsy examination of a captive emaciated, dehydrated adult female Mole snake (Pseudaspis cana) in October 2007 revealed multiple cutaneous abscesses. Other findings included renal and hepatic atrophy, hepatic haemosiderosis, multifocal granulomatous hepatitis associated with acid-fast bacteria as well as pulmonary congestion and oedema. Large numbers of the nematode Kalicephalus colubri colubri were recovered from the oesophagus and stomach, representing the 1st reported case of K. colubri from a Mole snake in South Africa. The lesions caused by K. c. colubri were insignificant, but the presence of worms may have contributed to weight loss.

Key words: cachexia, Kalicephalus colubri colubri, Nematoda, Pseudaspis cana, skin ulceration

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Received: June 2008
Accepted: February 2009

*Author for correspondence. E-mail: joop.boomker@up.ac.za