title: [Electron microscopic detection of herpesviruses in a mass death of Greek tortoises (Testudo hermanni) and four-toed turtles (Agrionemys horsfieldii)].
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Institut für Hygiene und Infektionskrankheiten der Tiere, Justus-Liebig-Universität, Giessen.
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Lange
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Herbst
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Wiechert
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Schliesser
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D006564:Herpesviridae / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D006566:Herpesviridae Infections / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000662:veterinary*; D007422:Intestines / Q000382:microbiology / Q000473:pathology; D008099:Liver / Q000473:pathology; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D014426:Turtles
vernacular_title: Elektronenmikroskopischer Nachweis von Herpesviren bei einem Massensterben von griechischen Landschildkröten (Testudo hermanni) und Vierzehenschildkröten (Agrionemys horsfieldii).