The pathogenic Entamoeba species in snakes is widely regarded to be Entamoeba invadens, which can cause severe amoebiasis with up to 100% mortality. In this case report, we describe a ball python (Python regius) that died after short-term weight loss. Necropsy revealed severe necrotizing colitis with large numbers of intralesional Entamoeba trophozoites. Molecular genetic analysis identified these trophozoites as Entamoeba ranarum, a parasite more usually found in amphibians. Furthermore, the extended history revealed that toads (Rhinella marina) had been housed together with the python. This report illustrates the danger of protozoal cross-infections in exotic animals as well as the importance of molecular genetic tools in Entamoeba diagnosis.

蛇中的致病性Entamoeba物种被广泛认为是Entamoeba invadens，可引起严重的阿米巴病，死亡率高达100％。在此案例报告中，我们描述了在短期减肥后死亡的球形蟒蛇（Python regius）。尸检显示严重坏死性结肠炎，病灶内有大量变形虫滋养体。分子遗传学分析发现这些滋养体为阿米巴ranarum，寄生虫更通常在两栖动物中发现。此外，悠久的历史表明，蟾蜍（Rinellla marina）已与python一起安置。该报告说明了外来动物原生动物交叉感染的危险以及分子遗传学工具在Entamoeba诊断中的重要性。