Robert J Ossiboff, DVM, PhD, DACVP
Associate Chair And Clinical Associate Professor – Aquatic Pathology/Anatomic Pathology
Department:
Department of Comparative, Diagnostic & Population Medicine
Business Email:
rossiboff@ufl.edu
About Robert J Ossiboff
I am a board certified veterinary anatomic pathologist, virologist, and molecular diagnostician with a primary professional focus on increasing the breadth and depth of knowledge of diseases of wildlife with special emphasis on reptiles and amphibians. Through a combined understanding of the fundamentals of disease pathogenesis, pathogen biology, disease pathology, and molecular/cellular biology, I approach animal disease investigations from multiple angles in an attempt to completely characterize disease conditions. My ultimate goal is to broadly impact the health of both captive and free-ranging wildlife through pathogen research and discovery, the creation and distribution of novel reagents, and the dissemination of knowledge.
Related Links:
Accomplishments
Florida Veterinary Medical Association Clinical Investigator Award
2020
·
University of Florida
Anatomic Pathology Resident Coordinator
2019
·
University of Florida
Co-Director, Zoological Medicine and Wildlife Molecular Diagnostic Laboratory
2018
·
University of Florida
Student Scholarship Award
2012
·
C.L. Davis Foundation
Phi Zeta Mansucript Competition Basic Science Category
2011
·
Cornell University
Jacob Traum Microbiology and Immunology Award
2010
·
Cornell University
Anna Olafson Sussex Pathology Award
2009
·
Cornell University
Integrative Biology Prize, Veterinary Leadership Program
2004
·
Cornell University
Teaching Profile
Courses Taught
2018-2023
VEM5161 Vet General Pathol
2018-2023
VEM5851 Senior Clk App Pathol
2020-2022
VEM5115 Veterinary Histology
2018-2023
VEM5370 Reptile Med and Surgery
2019-2021,2023
VME4013 Aquatic Wildlife Health Issues
2019-2021,2023
VME6011 Introduction to Aquatic Wildlife Health Issues
2019-2023
VEM5372 Aq Wildlife Health
2019
WIS4934 Topics in Wildlife Ecology and Conservation
2019
WIS6934 Topics in Wildlife Ecology and Conservation
2018-2019,2022-2023
VEM5751 Core Clk Appl Pathol
2018-2019
VEM5991 Clkship Indiv Invest
2021-2023
VEM5111 Animal Systems 2
2021
VEM5912 Supervised Research
2022-2023
VEM5112 Animal Systems 3
Board Certifications
-
Veterinary Anatomic PathologistAmerican College of Veterinary Pathologists
Research Profile
Much of my basic science research is driven by diagnostic submissions and increasing the availability of basic science reagents for use in wildlife species. Current research projects include i) establishing in vitro tissue culture cell lines from non-domestic species for basic science research and discovery, ii) characterizing serpentoviruses (nidoviruses) – an important and emerging group of reptilian viruses, iii) studying the pathogenesis of Batrachochytrium spp. infections in amphibians, and iv) the characterization and classification of novel infectious diseases of reptiles and amphibians.
Open Researcher and Contributor ID (ORCID)
0000-0001-6951-6070
Areas of Interest
- Amphibian Chytridiomycosis
- Amphibian disease
- Mycoplasma species of Reptiles
- Reptile Disease
- Reptile Enterococcosis
- Reptile Serpentoviruses
- Reptile and Amphibian Cell Line Development
- Viruses of Reptiles and Amphibians
- Wildlife Molecular Parasitology
Publications
2023
A novel herpesvirus from a wild-caught Madagascar spider tortoise shows evidence of host-viral coevolution with a duplication event in Durocryptodira.
Journal of veterinary diagnostic investigation : official publication of the American Association of Veterinary Laboratory Diagnosticians, Inc.
35(5):554-558
[DOI] 10.1177/10406387231186135.
[PMID] 37408504.
2023
Case report: Sarcocystis speeri, Aspergillus fumigatus, and novel Treponema sp. infections in an adult Atlantic spotted dolphin (Stenella frontalis).
Frontiers in veterinary science.
10
[DOI] 10.3389/fvets.2023.1132161.
[PMID] 37077953.
2023
Characterization of expression and prognostic implications of GD2 and GD3 synthase in canine histiocytic sarcoma.
Veterinary immunology and immunopathology.
259
[DOI] 10.1016/j.vetimm.2023.110594.
[PMID] 37058951.
2023
Characterization of expression and prognostic implications of transforming growth factor beta, programmed death-ligand 1, and T regulatory cells in canine histiocytic sarcoma.
Veterinary immunology and immunopathology.
257
[DOI] 10.1016/j.vetimm.2023.110560.
[PMID] 36804838.
2023
Dermatomycosis Caused by Paranannizziopsis australasiensis in Nonnative Panther Chameleons (Furcifer pardalis) Captured in Central Florida, USA.
Journal of wildlife diseases.
59(2):322-331
[DOI] 10.7589/JWD-D-22-00018.
[PMID] 36996061.
2023
Immune priming prior to pathogen exposure sheds light on the relationship between host, microbiome and pathogen in disease
Royal Society Open Science.
10(2)
[DOI] 10.1098/rsos.220810.
[PMID] 36756057.
2023
In Vitro Characterization and Antiviral Susceptibility of Ophidian Serpentoviruses
Microorganisms.
11(6)
[DOI] 10.3390/microorganisms11061371.
[PMID] 37374873.
2023
Multisystemic Enterococcosis in Brown Anoles (Anolis sagrei) from Florida, USA.
Journal of wildlife diseases.
59(2):337-341
[DOI] 10.7589/JWD-D-22-00045.
[PMID] 36989509.
2023
One Health Approach to Globalizing, Accelerating, and Focusing Amphibian and Reptile Disease Research-Reflections and Opinions from the First Global Amphibian and Reptile Disease Conference.
Emerging infectious diseases.
29(10):1-7
[DOI] 10.3201/eid2910.221899.
[PMID] 37735750.
2023
Ophidian Serpentoviruses: A Review and Perspective
Journal of Herpetological Medicine and Surgery.
[DOI] 10.5818/jhms-d-23-00010.
2023
Proliferative strongyloidiasis in a colony of colubrid snakes
Veterinary Pathology.
[DOI] 10.1177/03009858231186391.
2023
The invasive pentastome Raillietiella orientalis in a banded water snake from the pet trade.
Journal of veterinary diagnostic investigation : official publication of the American Association of Veterinary Laboratory Diagnosticians, Inc.
35(2):201-203
[DOI] 10.1177/10406387221147856.
[PMID] 36600497.
2022
A NEW COCCIDIAN (APICOMPLEXA: EIMERIIDAE) IN THE CRITICALLY ENDANGERED CENTRAL AMERICAN RIVER TURTLE (DERMATEMYS MAWII) IN BELIZE.
The Journal of parasitology.
108(1):93-99
[DOI] 10.1645/21-44.
[PMID] 35192694.
2022
A novel group of negative-sense RNA viruses associated with epizootics in managed and free-ranging freshwater turtles in Florida, USA
PLOS Pathogens.
18(3)
[DOI] 10.1371/journal.ppat.1010258.
[PMID] 35275967.
2022
AUSTWICKIA CHELONAE IN A WILD GOPHER TORTOISE (GOPHERUS POLYPHEMUS) AND EVIDENCE OF POSITIVE SELECTION ON THE DIPHTHERIA-LIKE TOXIN GENE.
Journal of wildlife diseases.
58(1):1-7
[DOI] 10.7589/JWD-D-20-00223.
[PMID] 34780647.
2022
Divergent Serpentoviruses in Free-Ranging Invasive Pythons and Native Colubrids in Southern Florida, United States
Viruses.
14(12)
[DOI] 10.3390/v14122726.
[PMID] 36560729.
2022
Infection with the fox lungworm (Crenosoma vulpis) in two dogs from New England – Two clinical reports and updated geographic distribution in North America.
Veterinary parasitology, regional studies and reports.
30
[DOI] 10.1016/j.vprsr.2022.100714.
[PMID] 35431072.
2022
Nasal colonization by Entamoeba gingivalis in a 13-year-old Italian Greyhound.
Veterinary clinical pathology.
51(2):269-272
[DOI] 10.1111/vcp.13064.
[PMID] 35274349.
2022
Pathology in Practice.
Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association.
259(S2):1-4
[DOI] 10.2460/javma.20.06.0323.
[PMID] 35394935.
2022
Physiological effects of capture and short-term captivity in an invasive snake species, the Burmese python (Python bivittatus) in Florida.
Comparative biochemistry and physiology. Part A, Molecular & integrative physiology.
267
[DOI] 10.1016/j.cbpa.2022.111162.
[PMID] 35149178.
2022
PULMONARY AND COELOMIC MYCOSES DUE TO METARHIZIUM AND BEAUVERIA SPECIES IN REPTILES.
Journal of zoo and wildlife medicine : official publication of the American Association of Zoo Veterinarians.
53(3):605-612
[DOI] 10.1638/2021-0081.
[PMID] 36214247.
2022
Rat Lungworm (Angiostrongylus cantonensis) in the Invasive Cuban Treefrog (Osteopilus septentrionalis) in Central Florida, USA.
Journal of wildlife diseases.
58(2):454-456
[DOI] 10.7589/JWD-D-21-00140.
[PMID] 35100414.
2022
Sustained Ranavirus Outbreak Causes Mass Mortality and Morbidity of Imperiled Amphibians in Florida.
EcoHealth.
19(1):8-14
[DOI] 10.1007/s10393-021-01572-6.
[PMID] 35000043.
2022
What is your diagnosis? Blood film from a Yacare caiman (Caiman yacare)
Veterinary Clinical Pathology.
51(4):605-608
[DOI] 10.1111/vcp.13096.
2022
What is your diagnosis? Glossal imprint from a yellow‐footed tortoise (Chelonoidis denticulata)
Veterinary Clinical Pathology.
51(1):149-152
[DOI] 10.1111/vcp.12997.
2021
Batrachochytrium salamandrivorans Can Devour More than Salamanders.
Journal of wildlife diseases.
57(4):942-948
[DOI] 10.7589/JWD-D-20-00214.
[PMID] 34516643.
2021
EMYDID HERPESVIRUS 1 INFECTIONS IN WESTERN POND TURTLES (ACTINEMYS MARMORATA) AND A RED-EARED SLIDER (TRACHEMYS SCRIPTA ELEGANS) WITH FATAL AND NONFATAL OUTCOMES.
Journal of zoo and wildlife medicine : official publication of the American Association of Zoo Veterinarians.
52(4):1275-1279
[DOI] 10.1638/2021-0044.
[PMID] 34998300.
2021
Gastrointestinal entamoebiasis in captive anurans in North America.
Diseases of aquatic organisms.
143:109-118
[DOI] 10.3354/dao03560.
[PMID] 33570044.
2021
Identification of a novel mortality-associated Helicobacter species in gopher tortoises (Gopherus polyphemus), qPCR test development and validation, and correlation with mortality in a wildlife rehabilitation population
Veterinary Microbiology.
259
[DOI] 10.1016/j.vetmic.2021.109136.
2021
Presumptive heterophil extracellular traps recognized cytologically in nine reptile patients with inflammatory conditions.
The veterinary quarterly.
41(1):89-96
[DOI] 10.1080/01652176.2021.1873453.
[PMID] 33416037.
2021
Shell Lesions Associated WithEmydomyces testavoransInfection in Freshwater Aquatic Turtles
Veterinary Pathology.
58(3):578-586
[DOI] 10.1177/0300985820985217.
2020
A Novel Exophiala Species Associated With Disseminated Granulomatous Inflammation in a Captive Eastern Hellbender (Cryptobranchus alleganiensis alleganiensis).
Frontiers in veterinary science.
7
[DOI] 10.3389/fvets.2020.00025.
[PMID] 32083105.
2020
Case Report: Invasive Pentastomes, Raillietiella orientalis (Sambon, 1922), in a Free-Ranging Banded Water Snake (Nerodia fasciata) in North Central Florida, USA.
Frontiers in veterinary science.
7
[DOI] 10.3389/fvets.2020.00467.
[PMID] 32851040.
2020
Clinical Manifestation and Molecular Characterization of a Novel Member of the Nannizziopsiaceae in a Pulmonary Granuloma From a Galapagos Tortoise (Chelonoidis nigra).
Frontiers in veterinary science.
7
[DOI] 10.3389/fvets.2020.00024.
[PMID] 32118056.
2020
Cytologic, histologic, microbiologic, and electron microscopic characterization of a canine Prototheca wickerhamii infection.
Veterinary clinical pathology.
49(2):326-332
[DOI] 10.1111/vcp.12864.
[PMID] 32468599.
2020
Distemper, extinction, and vaccination of the Amur tiger
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
117(50):31954-31962
[DOI] 10.1073/pnas.2000153117.
[PMID] 33229566.
2020
Editorial: Health and Disease in Free-Ranging and Captive Wildlife.
Frontiers in veterinary science.
7
[DOI] 10.3389/fvets.2020.620685.
[PMID] 33365338.
2020
Oral, Cloacal, and Hemipenal Actinomycosis in Captive Ball Pythons (Python regius).
Frontiers in veterinary science.
7
[DOI] 10.3389/fvets.2020.594600.
[PMID] 33490131.
2020
Safety and efficacy of topical diclofenac and subcutaneous firocoxib, ketoprofen, and meloxicam in Smokey Jungle Frogs (Leptodactylus pentadactylus)
.
2020
Tail Base Aneurysm in an Inland Bearded Dragon (Pogona vitticeps)
Journal of Exotic Pet Medicine.
33:34-37
[DOI] 10.1053/j.jepm.2020.02.001.
2019
Case Definition and Diagnostic Testing for Snake Fungal Disease
.
50(2):279-285
2019
Fatal Sarcocystis falcatula infection in three penguins
Frontiers in veterinary science..
6
[DOI] 10.3389/fvets.2019.00340.
[PMID] 31649941.
2019
Differentiating Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis and B. salamandrivorans in Amphibian Chytridiomycosis Using RNAScope® in situ Hybridization.
Frontiers in veterinary science.
6
[DOI] 10.3389/fvets.2019.00304.
[PMID] 31572738.
2019
Health assessment of free-ranging chelonians in an urban section of the Bronx River, New York
Journal of Wildlife Diseases.
55(2):352-362
[DOI] 10.7589/2017-12-304.
[PMID] 30226800.
2019
Health Screening of Burmese Star Tortoises (Geochelone platynota) Prior to Introduction to the Wild
Chelonian Conservation and Biology.
18(2):153-162
[DOI] 10.2744/CCB-1353.1.
2019
Longitudinal and Cross-Sectional Sampling of Serpentovirus (Nidovirus) Infection in Captive Snakes Reveals High Prevalence, Persistent Infection, and Increased Mortality in Pythons and Divergent Serpentovirus Infection in Boas and Colubrids.
Frontiers in veterinary science.
6
[DOI] 10.3389/fvets.2019.00338.
[PMID] 31632990.
2019
Novel Herpesvirus Associated With Oropharyngeal Squamous Cell Carcinoma in Smooth Green Snakes (Opheodrys vernalis)
Veterinary Pathology.
56(4):630-635
[DOI] 10.1177/0300985819837722.
2018
Novel quantitative PCR assay specific for the emerging Perkinsea amphibian pathogen reveals seasonal infection dynamics.
Diseases of aquatic organisms.
129(2):85-98
[DOI] 10.3354/dao03239.
[PMID] 29972369.
2018
Respiratory disease in ball pythons (Python regius) experimentally infected with ball python nidovirus
Virology.
517:77-87
[DOI] 10.1016/j.virol.2017.12.008.
[PMID] 29329683.
2017
Distribution of O-Acetylated Sialic Acids among Target Host Tissues for Influenza Virus.
mSphere.
2(5)
[DOI] 10.1128/mSphere.00379-16.
[PMID] 28904995.
2017
The role of a PSP-producing Alexandrium bloom in an unprecedented diamondback terrapin (Malaclemys terrapin) mortality event in Flanders Bay, New York, USA.
Toxicon : official journal of the International Society on Toxinology.
129:36-43
[DOI] 10.1016/j.toxicon.2017.02.006.
[PMID] 28209476.
2016
A Case Definition and Diagnostic Criteria for Batrachochytrium salamandrivorans Chytridiomycosis
.
47(2):207-209
2016
Pathology in Practice.
Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association.
248(5):501-3
[DOI] 10.2460/javma.248.5.501.
[PMID] 26885592.
2016
Surgical resection of an interrenal cell adenocarcinoma in a woma python (Aspidites ramsayi) with 18-month followup
Journal of Herpetological Medicine and Surgery.
26(1-2):26-31
[DOI] 10.5818/1529-9651-26.1-2.26.
2015
A Mycoplasma species of Emydidae turtles in the northeastern USA.
Journal of wildlife diseases.
51(2):466-70
[DOI] 10.7589/2014-04-086.
[PMID] 25574806.
2015
Biliary coccidiosis associated with immunosuppressive treatment of pure red cell aplasia in an adult ferret (Mustela putoris furo)
Journal of Exotic Pet Medicine.
24(2):215-222
[DOI] 10.1053/j.jepm.2015.04.012.
2015
Cerebral and Ocular Ochroconiasis in 2 Elegant Crested Tinamou (Eudromia elegans) Chicks.
Veterinary pathology.
52(4):716-9
[DOI] 10.1177/0300985814556186.
[PMID] 25341678.
2015
Emydid herpesvirus 1 infection in northern map turtles (Graptemys geographica) and painted turtles (Chrysemys picta).
Journal of veterinary diagnostic investigation : official publication of the American Association of Veterinary Laboratory Diagnosticians, Inc.
27(3):392-5
[DOI] 10.1177/1040638715584793.
[PMID] 25943128.
2015
Endolymphatic sac carcinoma in situ in a tokay gecko (Gekko gecko)
Journal of Herpetological Medicine and Surgery.
25(3-4):82-86
[DOI] 10.5818/1529-9651-25.3.82.
2015
Microlichus americanus acariasis in saffron finches (Sicalis flaveola) with dermatitis and feather loss.
Journal of veterinary diagnostic investigation : official publication of the American Association of Veterinary Laboratory Diagnosticians, Inc.
27(3):382-6
[DOI] 10.1177/1040638715581677.
[PMID] 25862713.
2015
Three novel herpesviruses of endangered Clemmys and Glyptemys turtles.
PloS one.
10(4)
[DOI] 10.1371/journal.pone.0122901.
[PMID] 25875510.
2014
Coelomic and pericardial effusion associated with mesothelioma in a savannah monitor (Varanus exanthematicus)
Journal of Herpetological Medicine and Surgery.
24(3-4):66-71
[DOI] 10.5818/1529-9651-24.3.66.
2014
Identification of a novel nidovirus in an outbreak of fatal respiratory disease in ball pythons (Python regius).
Virology journal.
11
[DOI] 10.1186/1743-422X-11-144.
[PMID] 25106433.
2013
Lability in host defenses: terrestrial frogs die from chytridiomycosis under enzootic conditions.
Journal of wildlife diseases.
49(1):197-9
[DOI] 10.7589/2012-05-129.
[PMID] 23307390.
2013
Metastatic pancreatic carcinoma and bronchioloalveolar adenomas in an Egyptian fruit bat (Rousettus aegyptiacus).
Journal of zoo and wildlife medicine : official publication of the American Association of Zoo Veterinarians.
44(3):794-8
[PMID] 24063117.
2010
Conformational changes in the capsid of a calicivirus upon interaction with its functional receptor.
Journal of virology.
84(11):5550-64
[DOI] 10.1128/JVI.02371-09.
[PMID] 20357100.
2009
Characterization of a continuous feline mammary epithelial cell line susceptible to feline epitheliotropic viruses.
Journal of virological methods.
157(1):105-10
[DOI] 10.1016/j.jviromet.2008.11.018.
[PMID] 19103225.
2007
Feline caliciviruses (FCVs) isolated from cats with virulent systemic disease possess in vitro phenotypes distinct from those of other FCV isolates.
The Journal of general virology.
88(Pt 2):506-517
[DOI] 10.1099/vir.0.82488-0.
[PMID] 17251569.
2007
Identification of regions and residues in feline junctional adhesion molecule required for feline calicivirus binding and infection.
Journal of virology.
81(24):13608-21
[PMID] 17913818.
Grants
May 2023
– Aug 2023
Molecular characterization of Blastocystis species of reptiles and preliminary evaluation of their pathogenic potential in tortoises
Role: Principal Investigator
Funding: MORRIS ANIMAL FOU
Jul 2020
– Dec 2021
Characterization of Expression and Prognostic Implications of GD2S and GD3S in Canine Histiocytic Sarcoma
Role: Co-Investigator
Funding: VETERINARY CANCER SOCIETY
May 2020
– Aug 2020
Assessing In vitro susceptibility of reptilian cell lines to serpentovirus
Role: Other
Funding: MORRIS ANIMAL FOU
May 2019
– Aug 2019
Development of an in vitro assay to determine infectious titers of ophidian nidoviruses
Role: Principal Investigator
Funding: MORRIS ANIMAL FOU
Jul 2018
– Sep 2020
D18ZO-319: Establishing tissue culture cell lines from reptiles, amphibians, and other captive and free-ranging wildlife
Role: Principal Investigator
Funding: MORRIS ANIMAL FOU
Education
Wildlife Pathology Postdoctoral Research Associate
2014-2016
·
Cornell University
Molecular Pathology Fellow
2013-2014
·
Wildlife Conservation Society
Anatomic Pathology Resident
2012-2013
·
Wildlife Conservation Society
Anatomic Pathology Resident
2010-2012
·
Cornell University
DVM
2010
·
Cornell University
PhD
2009
·
Cornell University
BS
2003
·
Loyola University Chicago
Contact Details
Emails:
- Business:
- rossiboff@ufl.edu
Addresses:
- Business Mailing:
-
PO Box 100123
2015 SW 16TH AVE
GAINESVILLE FL 32610