A testudinid herpesvirus 1 (TeHV1)-associated disease outbreak in a group of Horsfield’s tortoises (Testudo horsfieldii)

Dedication

This manuscript is dedicated to the memory of Prof. Erhard F. Kaleta, who contributed greatly the study of herpesviruses in a variety of species.

Abstract

In spring 2020, a severe disease outbreak with high morbidity and mortality was observed in a collection of 15 Horsfield’s tortoises (Testudo horsfieldii). Affected tortoises showed upper respiratory- and gastrointestinal tract signs, including rhinitis and stomatitis. Testudinid herpesvirus 1 (TeHV1) and Mycoplasma spp. were detected by PCR in oral swabs of affected animals. Histological examination of one deceased animal showed intranuclear inclusion bodies typical for herpesvirus infections in liver, spleen and oesophagus. The virus was likely introduced into the collection 2 years earlier by a clinically healthy Horsfield’s tortoise that was tested positive for TeHV1 by PCR.

Zusammenfassung

Im Frühling 2020 wurde in einer Gruppe von 15 Vierzehenschildkröten (Testudo horsfieldii) ein Krankheitsausbruch mit hoher Morbidität und Mortalität beobachtet. Betroffene Tiere zeigten vorwiegend Symptome des oberen Respirations- und Gastrointestinaltrakts wie Rhinitis und Stomatitis. Mittels PCR wurden bei erkrankten Tieren das Testudinid-Herpesvirus Typ 1 (TeHV1) und Mycoplasma spp. nachgewiesen. Die histologische Untersuchung einer verstorbenen Schildkröte ergab intranukleäre Einschlusskörperchen in Leber, Niere und Ösophagus, die für eine Herpesvirusinfektion typisch waren. Das Virus wurde vermutlich bereits 2018 durch ein klinisch unauffälliges Tier, das mittels PCR TeHV1-positiv getestet wurde, in den Bestand eingetragen.

Key words

Tortoise - herpesvirus - mycoplasma - stomatitis - skin lesions - latency

Schlüsselwörter

Landschildkröte - Herpesvirus - Mykoplasmen - Stomatitis - Hautläsionen - Latenz

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