[Molecularbiological diagnosis of herpes virus infection of a juvenile Russian tortoise (Agrionemys horsfieldii) with skin and lung lesions].
Herpesvirus infections are significant in the care of turtles and tortoises. Clinical signs range from unspecific symptoms, due to the variety of organ manifestations, to the "classical" picture of rhinitis-stomatitis. The presented case study showed the typical disease only with respect to clinical symptoms following hibernation, but lacks stomatitis, erosions or plaques in the oral mucosa. On the other hand, skin lesions on the extremeties, causative with herpesvirus infection, could be diagnosed. In this case study, various symptoms, sampling procedures and diagnostics using two different PCR methods are presented. Following hibernation, samples from a Russian tortoise (Agrionemys horsfieldii) were taken ante mortem and post mortem and screened with respect to virology, pathology, bacteriology and parasitology. DNA-fragments specific for tortoise herpesvirus were detected in various organs and body liquids. Furthermore basophilic intranuclear inclusion bodies were found. The bacteriological examination showed a high level of Pasteurella testunis in the lungs. By parasitological examination nematodes (Oxyridae) were diagnosed. A potential prophylaxis tortoise herpesvirus is discussed.
Fischer
Sebastian
S
Gesellschaft für Innovative Veterinärdiagnostik (IVD) mbH, Aninstitut der Stiftung Tierärztliche Hochschule Hannover, fischer@ivd-gmbh.de
Strutzberg-Minder
Katrin
K
Müller
Gundi
G
Homuth
Matthias
M
D000818:Animals; D053938:DNA Fragmentation; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000032:analysis; D005260:Female; D006564:Herpesviridae / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D006566:Herpesviridae Infections / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology / Q000662:veterinary*; D008099:Liver / Q000473:pathology / Q000821:virology; D008168:Lung / Q000473:pathology / Q000821:virology; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000379:methods / Q000662:veterinary; D012867:Skin / Q000473:pathology; D014426:Turtles / Q000821:virology*
D004279:DNA, Viral