Acanthocephaliasis And Sparganosis Occurrence in An Asian Vine Snake (Ahaetulla prasina): A Perspective of Neglected Zoonotic Disease

Abstract

Ahaetulla prasina commonly known as asian vine snake frequently kept as exotic pet in Indonesia. Snake also susceptible to various parasitic disease and one of them have zoonotic potential such as sparganosis and acanthocephaliasis. Sparganosis is an infection of humans and animals especially reptiles caused by tapeworms which belonging to the genus Spirometra. Sparganosis and acanthocephaliasis has been reported sporadically in reptiles around the world, with higher cases occurs in several Asian countries including Indonesia even though this disease categorized as neglected zoonotic disease. To our knowledge, sparganosis and acanthocephaliasis infection case has not been reported in this snake species. Therefore, this study aims to report sparganosis and acanthocephaliasis infection in asian vine snake which kept as an exotic pet and moreover provide scientific foundation for preventing sparganosis which include in zoonotic disease among animals and humans. A sudden death snake collected as sample from pet owner which suspected with parasites infection. Necropsy method was performed to investigate the distribution of parasites inside the snake body cavity. Identification of parasite infective stages using Carmine staining and examination under light microscope with a magnification of 40x and 100x. The results of this study found that Ahaetulla prasina was infected with Spirometra and Acanthocephalan parasites. The parasites located within subcutaneous tissues, muscular tissues, and coelom cavity of snake. The muscular tissues had highest intensity of parasites infection compared with subcutaneous tissues and coelom cavity sites. Present report of this finding can potentially contributes not only diagnosing parasitic disease in exotic animals but also proposing prevention program for zoonotic disease in humans worldwide. Moreover, education about neglected parasitic disease with zoonotic potential should take into consideration above this fndings and reports.