The association of bacterial agents and flagellated protozoans in the etiopathogenesis of subspectacular abscesses in snakes.

Bacteria as well as flagellates are considered to reach the subspectacular space through ascending infection from the oral cavity via the lacrimal duct. Although opportunistic bacterial infection presumably constitutes the predominant cause of SAs in snakes, the role of flagellate infection in the pathogenesis of this disorder should be further elucidated.