Volume 15, Issue 2: 2025 - Article 196

Abstract
Co-infections involving multiple haemoparasites in reptiles are rare in scientific literature, making each reported case highly valuable for advancing knowledge in reptile medicine. This present report presents, for the first time, a case of concurrent Plasmodium and Haemoproteus infections with Ophidascaris infestation in a captive royal python (Python regius) maintained at the Zoological Gardens, University of Ibadan, Nigeria. The affected python exhibited clinical signs of marked lethargy and complete anorexia, which progressed to a gradual deterioration in its health condition that eventually led to death despite supportive care.  Haematological evaluation of the peripheral blood smear revealed numerous intra-erythrocytic haemoparasites. The morphological features observed under the light microscope were consistent with both Plasmodium and Haemoproteus species, indicating a mixed infection. This dual infection represents a significant diagnostic challenge, as clinical signs may overlap, and accurate species identification may often require advanced laboratory methods. Postmortem examination further revealed multiple systemic pathological changes. There were numerous roughly linear ulcerative lesions ranging from 1.5 to 5 cm in length surrounding the base of the tail, indicative of secondary complications. Additional gross pathological findings included generalized cachexia, marked pallor of the mucous membranes and skeletal musculature, severe coelomic effusion suggestive of systemic compromise. There was also a heavy gastrointestinal parasitism by adult Ophidascaris nematodes. This case highlights the importance of including haemoparasitic co-infections in the differential diagnosis of ill reptiles. Furthermore, it emphasizes the necessity for routine health monitoring and accurate parasite identification, which are critical for proper treatment, management, planning and advancement of the understanding of reptilian health challenges.

Keywords: Parasitism; Royal python; Plasmodium spp; Haemoproteus spp; Ophidascaris spp.; Co-infection and infestation.

How to cite this article:
Olaifa OS, Abwage AC, Jarikre TA, Ola OO, Ogbonna FN and Ojo PO (2025). A rare case of co-occurring reptilian malaria (Plasmodium spp), haemoproteosis (Haemoproteus spp) and ascariasis (Ophidascaris spp) in a royal python (Python regius). Journal of Veterinary and Applied Sciences, 15(2): 1119 – 1125.

*Correspondence: E-mail:  abwage.a@tsuniversity.edu.ng      Phone: +2347030482249

A rare case of co-occurring reptilian malaria (Plasmodium spp), haemoproteosis (Haemoproteus spp) and ascariasis (Ophidascaris spp) in a royal python (Python regius)
Olanrewaju S.  Olaifa ¹, Abigail C. Abwage ² *, Theophilus A. Jarikre ¹, Olawale O. Ola ¹, Fortunate N. Ogbonna ³ and Philip O. Ojo <sup>3

1</sup> Department of Veterinary Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria.
² Department of Forestry and Wildlife Management, Faculty of Agriculture, Taraba State University, Taraba State, Nigeria.
³ Department of Veterinary Parasitology and Entomology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria.

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