ISOLATION OF AN OPHIDIAN PARAMYXOVIRUS (OPMV) IN A CAPTIVE RATTLESNAKE (Crotalus durissus terrificus) FROM BOTUCATU, SÃO PAULO STATE, BRAZIL

M. F. NOGUEIRA(1), T. H. BARRELLA(2), R. J. DA SILVA(3), C. A. M. LOPES(1,2), J. P. ARAÚJO JÚNIOR(1)

(1)Departamento de Microbiologia e Imunologia, Instituto de Biociências, UNESP, Botucatu, São Paulo, Brasil; (2)Centro de Estudos de Venenos e Animais Peçonhentos da UNESP (CEVAP/UNESP), Botucatu, São Paulo, Brasil; (3)Departamento de Parasitologia Instituto de Biociências, UNESP, Botucatu, São Paulo, Brasil.

ABSTRACT: This study reports the isolation of an Ophidian Paramyxovirus (OPMV) in sputum of a captive rattlesnake (Crotalus durissus terrificus) kept in a serpentarium located in Botucatu, São Paulo State, Brazil. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and nested-PCR were performed for the identification of the isolated virus.

KEY WORDS: Crotalus durissus terrificus, rattlesnake, Paramyxovirus, Ophidian Paramyxovirus, hemagglutination, polymerase chain reaction.

CORRESPONDENCE TO:

M. F. NOGUEIRA - Departamento de Microbiologia e Imunologia, Instituto de Biociências, UNESP, Distrito de Rubião Júnior, CEP 18618-000, Botucatu, São Paulo, Brasil.  Email furlan@ibb.unesp.br