The fungus exhibits strong urease activity and produces robust growth on ammonium sulfate, sulfite and thiosulfate.

O. ophidiicola is able to utilize multiple carbon and nitrogen sources, and tolerates a range of pH, naturally occurring sulfur compounds and low matric potential.

Good growth on dead fish, insect, mushroom tissue and demineralized shrimp exoskeleton is observed.

In pit viper species facial swelling, cloudy eyes, improperly shed skin, roughened scales, dermal or subcutaneous granuloma and destruction of venom glands can be seen.

[3] In colubrid species of snake fungal disease is reported to appear as pneumonia, ocular infection and subcutaneous nodules.

Histological studies show skin lesions with areas of necrosis and granulocytic inflammation in the superficial to midepidermis.

Mild chronic lymphoplasmacytic to lymphohistiocytic inflammation in the liver, lungs, heart, stomach and colon can be observed as well.

[1] The emergence of ophidiomycosis due to O. ophidiicola has caused great concern for the conservation of snake populations in the Eastern United States.

Confirmed cases of ophidiomycosis have been reported in 23 states in USA though the disease is believed to be more widespread than has been documented.

[3] Ophidiomyces ophidiicola has been successfully treated in captive settings using the antifungal drug terbinafine, which has shown to be effective via both nebulization or subcutaneous implant.

[6] The National Wildlife Health Center along with other organizations and researchers are working together to develop management strategies to mitigate disease impact.