Inclusion Body Disease, A Worldwide Infectious Disease of Boid Snakes: A Review

A disease called inclusion body disease (IBD) is seen worldwide in snakes that are members of the families Boidae and Pythonidae. Snakes affected by this disease often have neurological signs. A diagnosis is based on light microscopic examination of tissues for the presence of intracytoplasmic inclusions that consist of a unique protein that has been termed inclusion body disease protein (IBDP). In some cases, inclusions are found exclusively in the central nervous system, whereas in others they may be diffusely disseminated in multiple tissues. In a few cases, the IBD inclusions have overlapped in appearance with other types of nonviral intracytoplasmic inclusions. The specific etiologic agent of IBD remains unknown. Because the underlying cause of IBD is unknown, recent research has focused on understanding the formation and nature of IBDP. A monoclonal antibody has been developed against IBDP and is currently being used in immunodiagnostic assays to develop a reliable diagnostic test for IBD. This monoclonal antibody is going through rigorous validation testing and will provide more specificity and sensitivity than currently available routine histological diagnostics. Because large numbers of boas and pythons are being bred and sold for the pet trade, better diagnostic tests are needed to help develop IBD-free breeding colonies of these snakes. Further, because IBD is one of the few worldwide diseases of captive snakes, there is concern in many countries (e.g., Australia, where it has been identified in captive pythons) that it will become established in native wild populations. Thus, there is conservation value in developing better diagnostic tools for screening snakes intended for release as part of reintroduction programs.