Journalartikel

Jahr der Veröffentlichung: 2014

Seiten: 310-320

Zeitschrift: Tierärztliche Praxis, Ausgabe K: Kleintiere, Heimtiere

Bandnummer: 42

Heftnummer: 5

ISSN: 1434-1239

DOI Link: https://doi.org/10.1055/s-0038-1623777

Verlag: Thieme Publishing

Abstract: 
Objective: A disease is described in juvenile tortoises (Testudo graeca and Geochelone elegans) consisting mainly of a soft carapace, soft plastron and deformed skeleton. The aim of this study was to deter, mine histopathological lesions and the biological properties of the isolated viruses. Materials and methods: Clinical signs and gross pathology were determined on diseased and healthy appearing tortoises. Paraffin sections were stained with HE, PAS and Prussian Blue and histologically examined. Terrapene heart (TH-1) cell cultures served for virus isolations from 64 tissues and 104 swabs. One isolate (isolate 1243/37 tongue) was used in neutralization tests on 19 sera. Results: Retarded growth and increasingly soft plastron and carapace were the prominent signs in diseased tortoises. Pathological lesions consisted of dilated urinary sac, enlarged kidneys and livers. Hist . pathologically, hepatic hemosiderosis, hypoplastic anaemia, congestive glomerulonephrosis and osteodystrophy were seen. A novel virus ("virus X") was isolated from 64 organs and 79 of 104 swabs. The isolated viruses were identified as a novel chelonid picornavirus based on cytopathic effect, resistance to chloroform and stability at low pH. Co-cultivation with 5-iodo-2'-deoxyuridine and actinomycin D did not reduce virus titres. Electron microscopically, round, non-enveloped particles (25-30 nm) were detected. Neutralizing antibodies to the isolate 1243/37tongue were present in 17 of 19 sera from seven species of tortoises. Conclusion and clinical relevance: Nephropathy, osteodystrophy and virus isolations suggest a viral aetiology. Metabolic bone disease is the major differential diagnosis. Further investigations in vivo are needed to evaluate the likely effects of the picornavirus on tortoises.

Harvard-Zitierstil: Heuser, W., Pendl, H., Knowles, N., Keil, G., Herbst, W., Lierz, M., et al. (2014) Soft plastron, soft carapace with skeletal abnormality in juvenile tortoises. Histopathology and isolation of a novel picornavirus from Testudo graeca and Geochelone elegans, Tierärztliche Praxis, Ausgabe K: Kleintiere, Heimtiere, 42(5), pp. 310-320. https://doi.org/10.1055/s-0038-1623777

APA-Zitierstil: Heuser, W., Pendl, H., Knowles, N., Keil, G., Herbst, W., Lierz, M., & Kaleta, E. (2014). Soft plastron, soft carapace with skeletal abnormality in juvenile tortoises. Histopathology and isolation of a novel picornavirus from Testudo graeca and Geochelone elegans. Tierärztliche Praxis, Ausgabe K: Kleintiere, Heimtiere. 42(5), 310-320. https://doi.org/10.1055/s-0038-1623777