Relating fibropapilloma tumor severity to blood parameters in green turtles Chelonia mydas

Abstract

Fibropapillomatosis is a neoplastic disease that is commonly found in the green turtles Chelonia mydas in tropical and subtropical regions of the world. In the current project, juvenile green turtles were captured with large-mesh tangle nets in the Indian River Lagoon and on nearshore reefs of Indian River County, Florida, USA, in 1998 and 1999. The purpose of the study was to determine the relationship between the severity of the disease and the general health of green turtles as indicated by blood parameters. All turtles were measured and examined, and the overall severity of the disease was rated by the size, number, and location of external fibropapilloma tumors. Hematocrit, total protein, and hemoglobin concentration were measured and compared with tumor scores (tumor severity appraisal). As the tumor score increased, the blood parameters of turtles decreased; for instance, the percentage of decrease in hematocrit for mildly afflicted, moderately afflicted, and severely afflicted groups were 2.6, 18.3, and 45.5%, respectively. Severely afflicted turtles suffered from anemia, while individuals with mild affliction did not.

Monitoring green sea turtles in Brazilian feeding areas: relating body condition index to fibropapillomatosis prevalence

“…Studies on haematological and biochemical parameters have indicated reference intervals for green turtles, and contribute to the determination of their health status; a helpful tool in decision-making regarding rehabilitation and release (Bolten & Bjorndal, 1992; Aguirre et al ., 1995; Hasbún et al ., 1998; Samour et al ., 1998; Hamman et al ., 2006; Flint et al ., 2010; Fong et al ., 2010; Osborne et al ., 2010; Labrada et al ., 2010 a , 2010 b ; Anderson et al ., 2011; Hirama et al ., 2014; Lewbart et al ., 2014). Variability in haematological and biochemical values may also occur in healthy turtles according to their geographic location, habitat, genetics, maturity, sex, breeding and migratory status, and diet (Herbst & Jacobson, 2003; Stamper et al ., 2005; Deem et al ., 2006; Hamann et al ., 2006; Whiting et al ., 2007).…”

Health assessment of juvenile green turtles in southern São Paulo State, Brazil: a hematologic approach

“…28 Other external body features, such as the presence or absence of fibropapilloma (FPs), epibiotic load, and body condition also provide information about the general health of individuals. 11,19,37 Diseases in green turtles, including fibropapillomatosis, have been connected to heavily polluted areas, agricultural runoff, and areas with high human density. 4 FPs are associated with infection by chelonid herpesvirus 5 (species Chelonid alphaherpesvirus 5).…”

Evidence of sewage-driven eutrophication and harmful algal blooms in Florida's Indian River Lagoon

“…Schaefer et al (2011) found a positive correlation between the number of IRL bottlenose dolphins colonized by Escherichia coli and the number of septic tanks in the area they lived; with the highest number of both being in the northern segments of the IRL. Similarly, the health of juvenile green sea turtles Chelonia mydas Linnaeus as measured through blood parameters and the severity and prevalence of fibropapillomatosis (caused by an alphaherpesvirus) was significantly poorer in the IRL population than those captured on adjacent nearshore wormrock reefs (Hirama et al, 2014).…”