Name
Gastroduodenal Intussusception Secondary to Cryptosporidium serpentis in a Bullsnake
Description
Intussusception is a rarely reported complication of gastrointestinal disease within reptiles. There have been very few reports of intussusception associated with cryptosporidiosis. In the reports available, the protozoan organism has not been speciated nor has there been postmortem clinicopathology. A young Bullsnake presented to the clinic with a history of regurgitating its previous meal along with a progressive swelling within the mid-coelom and noticeable weight loss. Blood work was unremarkable and radiographs showed a large, soft tissue swell in the area of the stomach. Ultrasonography revealed a target-like structure consistent with the soft tissue swelling on radiographs which suggested gastrointestinal intussusception. An exploratory coeliotomy was performed and a gastroduodenal intussusception was confirmed. The intussusception was corrected and a biopsy of the stomach was taken along with a swab of the gastric lumen for qPCR at University of Florida. Histopathology revealed cryptosporidian organisms throughout the gastric mucosa. qPCR of the gastric swab confirmed the presence of Cryptosporidium serpentis. To protect the remainder of the collection along with the difficulty of treatment, humane euthanasia was elected rather than further treatment. Gross necropsy findings included an intact gastropexy along with hypertrophic gastric mucosa and a pale liver. Histopathology of all major organs was submitted for evaluation. In addition to gastric lesions with cryptosporidium organisms, marked hepatic lipidosis was noted. This case report demonstrates that intussusception of the proximal gastrointestinal tract can be a complication of infection with Cryptosporidium serpentis and if an intussusception is suspected, C. serpentis should be a strong differential diagnosis.
Session Type
Lecture (25 Min)