Comparison of wildlife and captivity rattlesnakes (Crotalus durissus terrificus) microbiota

Author(s)

Ferreira Junior, Rui S. ^{[1, 2]} ; Siqueira, Amanda K. ^[3] ; Campagner, Michelle V. ^[1] ; Salerno, Tatiana ^[3] ; Soares, Taissa C. S. ^[3] ; Lucheis, Simone B. ^[4] ; Paes, Antonio C. ^[3] ; Barraviera, Benedito ^{[1, 2]}

Affiliation

^[1] Univ Estadual Paulista, UNESP, CEVAP, BR-18610307 Botucatu, SP - Brazil

^[2] UNESP, FMB, BR-18618000 Botucatu, SP - Brazil

^[3] UNESP, FMVZ, Dept Higiene Vet & Saude Publ, BR-18618000 Botucatu, SP - Brazil

^[4] APTA SAA, Polo Ctr Oeste, Unidade Pesquisa Bauru, BR-17013000 Bauru, SP - Brazil

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: Pesquisa Veterinária Brasileira; v. 29, n. 12, p. 999-1003, DEC 2009.
• Web of Science Citations: 9

Abstract

Ferreira Junior R. S., Siqueira A. K., Campagner M. V., Salerno T., Soares T. C. S., Lucheis S. B., Paes A. C. \& Barraviera B. 2009. Comparison of wildlife and captivity rattlesnakes (Crotalus durissus terrificus) microbiota. Pesquisa Veterinaria Brasileira 29(12): 999-1003. Centro de Estudos de Venenos e Animais Peconhentos, Universidade Estadual Paulista, Fazenda Experimental Lageado, Rua Jose Barbosa de Barros 1780, Botucatu, SP 18610-307, Brazil. E-mail: [e-mail] The study evaluated and compared the aerobic microbiota from the oral cavity, cloaca and venom of Crotalus durissus terrificus snakes, recently caught from the wild and kept under quarantine (WQ), individual captivity (IC) and collective captivity (CC). Antimicrobial drug effectiveness on isolated agents also was assayed. From group I, II and III were isolated, respectively, 29 (63.04%), 38 (90.48%) and 21 (42.86%) microorganisms from the cloaca; 15 (32.61%), 3 (7.14%) and 25 (51.02%) microorganisms from the oral cavity; and, 2 (4.35%), 1 (2.38%) and 3 (6.12%) microorganisms from venom. The most frequent bacteria were Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Proteus vulgaris and Morganella morganii, with sensitivity to amikacin, gentamicin, norfloxacin, sulfazotrin and tobramycin. Snakes kept in semi-open captivity exhibited the fewest microorganisms in oral cavities, perhaps due to the environment in captivity, with different temperature gradients, running water, absence of daily handling, circulating air, possibility of moving around, daily cleaning, and sunlight access. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 07/05159-7 - Isolation of coagulant serine-proteases from Bothrops neuwiedi pauloensis and Crotalus durissus terrificus venoms: functional and structural characterization
• Grantee: Benedito Barraviera
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants