• CANV mycosis has been described mostly in snakes and lizards. • Infection seems relatively prevalent in aquatic snake species (Erpeton tentaculatum, Nerodia spp., Acrochordus spp.) and in certain colubrids (e.g., corn snakes, brown tree snakes) but can probably occur in all ophidians. • Bearded dragons and chameleons appear overrepresented. • CANV has been documented in the Iguanidae, the Geckonidae, the Agamidae, the Chameleonidae, and the Teiidae and can probably infect all lizards. • CANV has caused severe dermatomycosis with associated mortality in farmed saltwater crocodile hatchlings. • No sex predilection has been noted. • Anecdotally, young lizards may be more vulnerable to CANV infection, and fatal mycosis in saltwater crocodiles was limited to hatchlings. • This disease is contagious among lizards and crocodiles, and probably among snakes. • Spread seems to occur horizontally through direct or indirect contact and may occur through airborne conidia shed by infected animals. • CANV was isolated from a brain abscess in a human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-positive Nigerian man. • Zoonotic potential likely would be minimal, given that a vast majority of CANV isolates do not grow at 37°C (98.6°F), with the exception of those from bearded dragons, which do grow, albeit very slowly, at 37°C (98.6°F). • Stress, substandard husbandry, and/or any immune suppressive disorders may predispose reptiles to mycotic infection, but the CANV is a primary pathogen capable of causing lesions in seemingly healthy reptiles. • In bearded dragons, treatment of coccidiosis with sulfa drugs has been anecdotally linked with later onset of YFD. • CANV mycosis is typically a dermatomycosis, and systemic infection usually results from dissemination of cutaneous disease. • Systemic involvement has been seen in animals with seemingly localized cutaneous disease. • CANV sometimes causes mycetomas, well-delineated subcutaneous fungal infections, especially in corn snakes. • In early stages of the disease, abnormalities are restricted to cutaneous lesions. • These may be vesicular, progressing to ulceration and crusting. • In bearded dragons, the first lesion is often that of retained shed tags, often yellowish in color. • The tags may appear “melted” and smoother than normal. • Hyperkeratosis and epidermal necrosis soon follow. • Necrotic crusts will slough, exposing raw dermis. Especially when on extremities, granulomatous disease may extend to underlying muscles and bones. • Systemic dissemination typically occurs late in the disease. • Subcutaneous masses in squamates and particularly snakes, even masses with a gross appearance reminiscent of lipomas, should be submitted for histopathology to dismiss fungal involvement.
CANV/Fungal Disease
Basic Information
Epidemiology
Species, Age, Sex
Contagion and Zoonosis
Associated Conditions and Disorders
Clinical Presentation
Disease Forms/Subtypes
Physical Exam Findings
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CANV/Fungal Disease
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