TY - JOUR
T1 - Two herpesviruses associated with disease in wild Atlantic loggerhead sea turtles (Caretta caretta)
AU - Stacy, Brian A.
AU - Wellehan, James F.X.
AU - Foley, Allen M.
AU - Coberley, Sadie S.
AU - Herbst, Lawrence H.
AU - Manire, Charles A.
AU - Garner, Michael M.
AU - Brookins, Milagros D.
AU - Childress, April L.
AU - Jacobson, Elliott R.
N1 - Funding Information:
This study was possible thanks to the participants in the Florida Sea Turtle Stranding and Salvage Network. In particular, we thank Karrie Singel, Nashika Brewer, Rhonda Bailey, Kim Sonderman and Ed deMaye of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, Dr. Nancy Metee and Sandy Fournies and the staff of Marinelife Center at Juno Beach, Deborah Fauquier and the staff of the Mote Marine Laboratory, and the University of Florida, Zoological Medicine Service. We also thank Dr. Jack Gaskin for proving LETV samples. This study was supported by Awards 2003-0206-011 and 2006-0087-004 from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation using funding from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. The views and conclusions contained is this document are those of the authors and should not be interpreted as representing the opinions or policies of the U.S. Government or the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation.
PY - 2008/1/1
Y1 - 2008/1/1
N2 - Herpesviruses are associated with lung-eye-trachea disease and gray patch disease in maricultured green turtles (Chelonia mydas) and with fibropapillomatosis in wild sea turtles of several species. With the exception fibropapillomatosis, no other diseases of wild sea turtles of any species have been associated with herpesviral infection. In the present study, six necropsied Atlantic loggerhead sea turtles (Caretta caretta) had gross and histological evidence of viral infection, including oral, respiratory, cutaneous, and genital lesions characterized by necrosis, ulceration, syncytial cell formation, and intranuclear inclusion bodies. Nested polymerase chain reaction targeting a conserved region of the herpesvirus DNA-dependent-DNA polymerase gene yielded two unique herpesviral sequences referred to as loggerhead genital-respiratory herpesvirus and loggerhead orocutaneous herpesvirus. Phylogenetic analyses indicate that these viruses are related to and are monophyletic with other chelonian herpesviruses within the subfamily α-herpesvirinae. We propose the genus Chelonivirus for this monophyletic group of chelonian herpesviruses.
AB - Herpesviruses are associated with lung-eye-trachea disease and gray patch disease in maricultured green turtles (Chelonia mydas) and with fibropapillomatosis in wild sea turtles of several species. With the exception fibropapillomatosis, no other diseases of wild sea turtles of any species have been associated with herpesviral infection. In the present study, six necropsied Atlantic loggerhead sea turtles (Caretta caretta) had gross and histological evidence of viral infection, including oral, respiratory, cutaneous, and genital lesions characterized by necrosis, ulceration, syncytial cell formation, and intranuclear inclusion bodies. Nested polymerase chain reaction targeting a conserved region of the herpesvirus DNA-dependent-DNA polymerase gene yielded two unique herpesviral sequences referred to as loggerhead genital-respiratory herpesvirus and loggerhead orocutaneous herpesvirus. Phylogenetic analyses indicate that these viruses are related to and are monophyletic with other chelonian herpesviruses within the subfamily α-herpesvirinae. We propose the genus Chelonivirus for this monophyletic group of chelonian herpesviruses.
KW - Caretta caretta
KW - Chelonivirus
KW - Herpesvirus
KW - Loggerhead genital-respiratory herpesvirus
KW - Loggerhead orocutaneous herpesvirus
KW - Loggerhead sea turtle
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U2 - 10.1016/j.vetmic.2007.07.002
DO - 10.1016/j.vetmic.2007.07.002
M3 - Article
C2 - 17706378
AN - SCOPUS:36548998746
SN - 0378-1135
VL - 126
SP - 63
EP - 73
JO - Veterinary Microbiology
JF - Veterinary Microbiology
IS - 1-3
ER -