Lange H, Herbst W, Wiechert J M, Schliesser T
Institut für Hygiene und Infektionskrankheiten der Tiere, Justus-Liebig-Universität, Giessen.
Tierarztl Prax. 1989;17(3):319-21.
In a population of about 130 tortoises, consisting mainly of Hermann's tortoises (Testudo hermanni) and Four-toed tortoises (Agrionemys horsfieldii), 50% of the reptiles died within 3 months in autumn 1987. Post mortem analysis of 5 necropsied turtles revealed thick, caseous coatings in the upper digestive tract, hepatomegaly and enteritis. By microbiological examination a lot of ubiquitous bacteria could be isolated. By electron microscopy of concentrated and negatively stained gut specimens herpes virus particles were found in two Hermann's tortoises and one Four-toed tortoise. Isolation experiments in embryonic turtle tissue cultures showed no evidence of a cytopathogenic agent. The results are discussed in respect of their importance for the high mortality observed in the population of mediterranean land turtles.
在一个约有130只乌龟的群体中，主要由 Hermann 陆龟（Testudo hermanni）和四爪陆龟（Agrionemys horsfieldii）组成，1987年秋季有50%的爬行动物在3个月内死亡。对5只经尸检的乌龟进行的死后分析显示，上消化道有厚厚的干酪样涂层、肝肿大和肠炎。通过微生物学检查可分离出许多常见细菌。对浓缩和负染的肠道标本进行电子显微镜检查时，在两只 Hermann 陆龟和一只四爪陆龟中发现了疱疹病毒颗粒。在胚胎龟组织培养中的分离实验未显示有细胞致病因子的迹象。就这些结果对地中海陆龟种群中观察到的高死亡率的重要性进行了讨论。
