PREVALENCE OF TERRAPENE HERPESVIRUS 1 IN FREE-RANGING EASTERN BOX TURTLES (TERRAPENE CAROLINA CAROLINA) IN TENNESSEE AND ILLINOIS, USA

• DOI: 10.7589/2016-06-138
• Publication Date: 2017-01-18T18:40:42Z
• Authors: Lauren P. Kane; Matthew C. Allender; Grace Archer; Elena Dzhaman; John Pauley; A. Russell Moore; Marilyn O. Ruiz; Rebecca L. Smith; John Byrd; Christopher A. Ph...
• Keywords: Male; 0301 basic medicine; 03 medical and health sciences; Prevalence; Animals; Female; Illinois; Tennessee; Herpesviridae; Turtles; 3. Good health

Diseases affecting the upper respiratory tract, such as herpesviruses, are well described in captive chelonians worldwide, but their importance free-ranging populations is less known. To characterize disease epidemiology of terrapene herpesvirus 1 (TerHV1), 409 eastern box turtles ( Terrapene carolina carolina) Tennessee and Illinois, US were tested for TerHV1 2013 2014 using TaqMan quantitative PCR. Whole blood swabs oral mucosa collected from 365 adults (154 females, 195 males, 16 unknown sex) 44 juveniles. The prevalence detection was 31.3% (n=128). Turtles more likely to be positive July (50%; n=67) compared September (38%; n=44) May (11%; n=17). sampled had a significantly higher n=98) than (14%; n=30). In multivariate model, only season, year, interaction between season year maintained; most (odds ratio: 30.5) 41.8) 2013. not statistically different by state collection, sex, or age class. Packed cell volume (25.5%) total solids (4.8 mg/dL) negative (23.0%; 4.3 mg/dL). Positive increased eosinophil concentrations, fewer lymphocytes, monocytes. No clinical sign associated with herpesvirus. Widespread DNA evidence infection detected turtles, knowledge this virus may aid management individuals.