Snakes are an extremely mobile group of animals in the pet and zoo trade and this probably has accounted for this virus being introduced into many species of naive snakes. Since lesions in the lungs can be segmented, sections of cranial, mid, and caudal lung should be examined. Specific diagnosis will depend upon isolation of the virus in cell culture and ultrastructural characterization. OMPV has been isolated in a wide variety of cell types of reptilian and mammalian origin including gecko embryo, rattlesnake fibroma, rattlesnake spleen, viper heart, and baby hamster kidney cells. Virus will also replicate in snake eggs and chicken eggs.
Blood samples are easily obtainable by cardiac puncture.
See submission of samples below. Based upon a single sample, it would be impossible to make a statement about presence of virus and shedding status. If 2 samples are obtained form the same animal at a 2-4 week interval, and a rising titer can be demonstrated, this would be supportive evidence for recent OPMV infection. There is no specific treatment for snakes showing clinical signs of OPMV infection. Since most affected snakes die with severe gram-negative respiratory tract infections, treating ill snakes with appropriate antibiotics is indicated.