Cytoplasmic Inclusions in Corn Snakes, Elaphe guttata, Resembling Inclusion Body Disease of Boid Snakes
J Herpe Med Surg 13[2]:18-22 Summer'03 Pathology Pages 34 Refs

Three neonatal, captive-bred corn snakes, Elaphe guttata, from a clutch of nine eggs were found dead after a short period of anorexia and opisthotonus. Histological examination of tissue samples revealed eosinophilic intracytoplasmic inclusions in hepatocytes and brain endothelial cells. These inclusions were similar in appearance to those observed in the tissues of animals affected with inclusion body disease of boids, a disease not presently recognized in colubrid snakes. Electron microscopic examination of the inclusions revealed membrane bound electron dense material inconsistent with IBD inclusions. [Abstract]