Screening of Ophidiomyces ophidiicola in the free-ranging snake community annually harvested for the popular ritual of San Domenico e dei Serpari (Cocullo, AQ, Italy)

In the Abruzzi village of Cocullo (Italy), each year, on May 1st, local snake hunters (known as Serpari) display colubrids, captured in wild, to commemorate ancient ritual San Domenico. The ascomycete Ophidiomyces ophidiicola (Oo) is causative agent ophidiomycosis, an emerging disease with sublethal effects. Skin lesions, such dysecdysis, edematous, crusty or necrotic scales, swellings, nodules, and ulcers, are most common clinical manifestation disease. pathogen its associated well characterized wild snakes North America, whereas broad screenings free ranging ophidians Europe rare. 2019, part a multi-year health monitoring project, all were carefully examined for integumentary affections those showing signs consistent ophidiomycosis dry swabbed skin any visible cutaneous lesions single applicator. extracted DNA underwent broad-range panfungal PCR targeting D1-D2 region, two conventional PCRs specific ITS2 IGS regions Oo DNA. Twenty-three out 129 (13/82 Elaphe quatuorlineata; 7/31 Hierophis viridiflavus; 3/15 Zamenis longissumus; 0/1 Natrix helvetica) resulted clinically affected, but no genomic was detected by PCR. celebration provided unique opportunity first systematic testing large sample size community this Italy.