title: COCCIDIAL INFECTION OF THE ADRENAL GLANDS OF LEATHERBACK SEA TURTLES (DERMOCHELYS CORIACEA).
abstract: Histologic lesions incidental to the cause of death were observed in the adrenal glands of 17 subadult and adult leatherback sea turtles ( Dermochelys coriacea ) found dead or moribund on or near shore in North America. Round bodies, 250-300 μm in diameter composed of an outer capsule and large multinucleated cells surrounding a central mass of acellular material were distributed throughout the affected glands. Protozoal etiology was suspected based on some resemblance to coccidia; however, features diagnostic for coccidial infection were lacking in all but one case, which had a focal area of adrenalitis containing zoites. A novel eucoccidian partial 18S rRNA genetic sequence was consistently detected in adrenal glands with lesions. With the use of quantitative PCR, a specific area of the V4 region of the coccidian 18S gene was quantified in affected adrenal glands and correlated significantly with density of the histologic lesions. A second distinct, but closely related, 18S sequence was also amplified from the adrenal gland of one turtle and from a fecal sample containing unsporulated coccidian oocysts. The two 18S sequences identified from leatherback sea turtles form a clade within the family Eimeriidae. Further investigation is required to understand better the morphology of the life stages, life cycle, and potential effects of this coccidian parasite on adrenal function.
authors.affiliation: 1   University of Florida, College of Veterinary Medicine, PO Box 110126, 2015 SW 16th Avenue, Gainesville, Florida 32608, USA.
authors.forename: Sara D
authors.initials: SD
authors.lastname: Ferguson
authors.affiliation: 1   University of Florida, College of Veterinary Medicine, PO Box 110126, 2015 SW 16th Avenue, Gainesville, Florida 32608, USA.
authors.forename: James F X
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Wellehan
authors.affiliation: 2   Connecticut Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory, Department of Pathobiology and Veterinary Science, University of Connecticut, Storrs, Connecticut 06269, USA.
authors.forename: Salvatore
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Frasca
authors.affiliation: 3   New England Aquarium, Central Wharf, Boston, Massachusetts 02110, USA.
authors.forename: Charles J
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Innis
authors.affiliation: 4   National Marine Fisheries Service, Southwest Fisheries Science Center, 8901 La Jolla Shores Drive, La Jolla, California 92037, USA.
authors.forename: Heather S
authors.initials: HS
authors.lastname: Harris
authors.affiliation: 5   California Department of Fish and Wildlife, Office of Spill Prevention and Response, Marine Wildlife Veterinary Care and Research Center, 1451 Shaffer Road, Santa Cruz, California 95060, USA.
authors.forename: Melissa
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Miller
authors.affiliation: 3   New England Aquarium, Central Wharf, Boston, Massachusetts 02110, USA.
authors.forename: E Scott
authors.initials: ES
authors.lastname: Weber
authors.affiliation: 1   University of Florida, College of Veterinary Medicine, PO Box 110126, 2015 SW 16th Avenue, Gainesville, Florida 32608, USA.
authors.forename: Heather Stockdale
authors.initials: HS
authors.lastname: Walden
authors.affiliation: 1   University of Florida, College of Veterinary Medicine, PO Box 110126, 2015 SW 16th Avenue, Gainesville, Florida 32608, USA.
authors.forename: Ellis C
authors.initials: EC
authors.lastname: Greiner
authors.affiliation: 3   New England Aquarium, Central Wharf, Boston, Massachusetts 02110, USA.
authors.forename: Constance
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Merigo
authors.affiliation: 6   National Marine Fisheries Service, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, University of Florida, PO Box 110885, 2187 Mowry Road, Gainesville, Florida 32611, USA.
authors.forename: Brian A
authors.initials: BA
authors.lastname: Stacy
mesh_terms: D000311:Adrenal Glands / Q000382:microbiology*; D000818:Animals; D003044:Coccidia / Q000472:pathogenicity*; D003048:Coccidiosis / Q000662:veterinary*; D009656:North America; D014426:Turtles / Q000382:microbiology*
keywords: 18S rRNA; Eimeriidae; mortality; oocysts; protozoa; qPCR; sea turtle