Kane Lauren P, Allender Matthew C, Archer Grace, Dzhaman Elena, Pauley John, Moore A Russell, Ruiz Marilyn O, Smith Rebecca L, Byrd John, Phillips Christopher A
1 Wildlife Epidemiology Laboratory, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Illinois, 2001 S Lincoln Avenue, Urbana, Illinois 61802, USA.
2 Chicago Zoological Society, Brookfield Zoo, 8400 W 31st Street, Brookfield, Illinois 60513, USA.
J Wildl Dis. 2017 Apr;53(2):285-295. doi: 10.7589/2016-06-138. Epub 2017 Jan 18.
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.
影响上呼吸道的疾病，如疱疹病毒，在世界各地人工饲养的龟类中已有详尽描述，但它们在野生种群中的重要性却鲜为人知。为了描述地龟疱疹病毒1型（TerHV1）的疾病流行病学特征，2013年和2014年，研究人员在美国田纳西州和伊利诺伊州对409只野生东部箱龟（Terrapene carolina carolina）进行了TerHV1检测，采用TaqMan定量PCR技术。从365只成年龟（154只雌性、195只雄性、16只性别未知）和44只幼龟身上采集了全血和口腔黏膜拭子。检测阳性率为31.3%（n = 128）。与9月（38%；n = 44）和5月（11%；n = 17）相比，7月的龟类感染TerHV1呈阳性的可能性更高（50%；n = 67）。2014年采样的龟类阳性率（50%；n = 98）显著高于2013年（14%；n = 30）。在多变量模型中，仅保留了季节、年份以及季节与年份之间的相互作用；与2013年5月相比，2014年7月（优势比：30.5）和9月（优势比：41.8）的龟类感染TerHV1呈阳性的可能性最大。按采集州、性别或年龄组划分，阳性率无统计学差异。阳性龟的红细胞压积（25.5%）和总固体含量（4.8 mg/dL）显著高于阴性龟（23.0%；4.3 mg/dL）。阳性龟的嗜酸性粒细胞浓度增加，淋巴细胞和单核细胞减少。未发现与疱疹病毒检测相关的临床症状。在东部箱龟中检测到了广泛的TerHV1感染的DNA证据，了解这种病毒的流行病学特征可能有助于对野生和人工饲养个体的管理。
