PREVALENCE OF TERRAPENE HERPESVIRUS 1 IN FREE-RANGING EASTERN BOX TURTLES (TERRAPENE CAROLINA CAROLINA) IN TENNESSEE AND ILLINOIS, USA

Abstract

Diseases affecting the upper respiratory tract, such as herpesviruses, are well described in captive chelonians worldwide, but their importance in free-ranging populations is less well known. To characterize the disease epidemiology of terrapene herpesvirus 1 (TerHV1), 409 free-ranging eastern box turtles ( Terrapene carolina carolina) in Tennessee and Illinois, US were tested for TerHV1 in 2013 and 2014 using TaqMan quantitative PCR. Whole blood and swabs of the oral mucosa were collected from 365 adults (154 females, 195 males, 16 unknown sex) and 44 juveniles. The prevalence of detection was 31.3% (n=128). Turtles were more likely to be positive for TerHV1 in July (50%; n=67) compared to September (38%; n=44) and May (11%; n=17). Turtles sampled in 2014 had a significantly higher prevalence (50%; n=98) than in 2013 (14%; n=30). In a multivariate model, only season, year, and the interaction between season and year were maintained; turtles were most likely to be positive in July (odds ratio: 30.5) and September (odds ratio: 41.8) 2014 compared to May 2013. The prevalence was not statistically different by state of collection, sex, or age class. Packed cell volume (25.5%) and total solids (4.8 mg/dL) in positive turtles were significantly higher than in negative turtles (23.0%; 4.3 mg/dL). Positive turtles had increased eosinophil concentrations, fewer lymphocytes, and fewer monocytes. No clinical sign was associated with detection of herpesvirus. Widespread DNA evidence of TerHV1 infection was detected in eastern box turtles, and knowledge of the epidemiology of this virus may aid in management of free-ranging and captive individuals.

Epidemiology of Emydoidea Herpesvirus 1 in Free-Ranging Blanding's Turtles (Emydoidea Blandingii) From Illinois

“…Rapidly increasing water temperature was found to increase the onset and severity of herpesvirus lesions (gray-patch disease) in green sea turtles (Chelonia mydas) when compared to control animals (Haines and Kleese 1977). In addition, warmer temperatures were thought to contribute to increased herpesvirus prevalence in July in Eastern box turtles (Terrapene carolina carolina), either by increasing interactions with conspecifics or increased viral persistence (Kane et al 2017). The risk of HSV transmission is directly related to virus load (Aurelian 2009).…”

“…Herpesviruses are becoming an increasingly important concern in captive and free-ranging chelonians (Kane et al 2017). The first report of a herpesvirus in a chelonian was in 1975, when herpesvirus-like particles were visualized in a skin lesion via electron microscopy in a green sea turtle (Chelonia mydas) (Rebell et al 1975).…”

“…Although the vast majority of literature demonstrating the clinical presentation and disease progression of herpesviruses in chelonians is derived from captive tortoises and turtles (Tables 2.1 and 2.2), herpesviruses have also been identified in apparently healthy free-ranging Testudinids and Emydids (Ossiboff et al 2015b;Kane et al 2017). The clinical signs of herpesvirus infection vary by host species and virus, but upper respiratory signs and necrotizing stomatitis has been frequently reported (Tables 2.1 and 2.2).…”

Plasma antibacterial activities in ornate (Terrapene ornata) and eastern box turtles (Terrapene carolina)

“…Immune function has not been well studied in turtles of the family Emydidae, despite their susceptibility to infectious diseases (ranavirus, Terrapene herpesvirus 1 & 2, Terrapene adenovirus, Mycoplasma sp.) that may threaten individual survival and population viability (Adamovicz et al, 2018; Johnson et al, 2008; Kane et al, 2017; Yonkers et al, 2015). Box turtles ( Terrapene spp .)…”

Population pharmacokinetics of enrofloxacin and its metabolite ciprofloxacin in clinically diseased or injured Eastern box turtles (Terrapene carolina carolina), yellow‐bellied sliders (Trachemys scripta scripta), and river cooters (Pseudemys concinna)

“…Infectious agents in wild and captive chelonians in North America include Mycoplasma , herpesvirus, ranavirus, and multiple co‐infections as significant causes of morbidity and mortality (Adamovicz et al, ; De Voe et al, ; Feldman et al, ; Kane et al, ; Sim et al, , ). There is a significant impact of vehicular trauma on both terrestrial and freshwater aquatic turtle populations, especially given the relatively higher risk of mortality for female turtles (Gibbs & Shriver, ; Steen et al, ).…”