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Clinical, virological and epidemiological characterization of an outbreak of Testudinid Herpesvirus 3 in a chelonian captive breeding facility: Lessons learned and first evidence of TeHV3 vertical transmission

Clinical, virological and epidemiological characterization of an outbreak of Testudinid Herpesvirus 3 in a chelonian captive breeding facility: Lessons learned and first evidence of TeHV3 vertical transmission

Authors :
Patrizia Casagrande Proietti
Valentina Stefanetti
Carmen Maresca
Lorenzo Santoni
Monica Sforna
Maria Pia Franciosini
Andrea Felici
Francesco C. Origgi
Maria Luisa Marenzoni
Source :
PLoS ONE, Marenzoni, Maria Luisa; Santoni, Lorenzo; Felici, Andrea; Maresca, Carmen; Stefanetti, Valentina; Sforna, Monica; Franciosini, Maria Pia; Casagrande Proietti, Patrizia; Origgi, Francesco (2018). Clinical, virological and epidemiological characterization of an outbreak of Testudinid Herpesvirus 3 in a chelonian captive breeding facility: Lessons learned and first evidence of TeHV3 vertical transmission. PLoS ONE, 13(5), e0197169. Public Library of Science 10.1371/journal.pone.0197169 , PLoS ONE, Vol 13, Iss 5, p e0197169 (2018)
Publication Year :
2018
Publisher :
Public Library of Science, 2018.

Abstract

Testudinid herpesviruses (TeHVs) have a worldwide distribution among tortoises. However, information such as risk factors promoting the occurrence or the recrudescence of the associated disease and the mid-term sequelae of an outbreak comprising the extent and dynamic of the viral shedding have been only minimally investigated. Critical management information is also lacking or anecdotal. Furthermore, major aspects of the viral pathogenesis including the likelihood of vertical transmission of the virus are virtually unknown. The present study describes the occurrence and the management of an outbreak of Testudinid herpesvirus genotype 3 (TeHV3) in a large, private collection of chelonians. Clinical, pathological, molecular and serological characterization of the outbreak were carried out. Seventy-five percent of the infected tortoises died. Complementation of molecular and serological testing was a critical point for successful management implementations. A case-control study was performed to analyze possible risk factors associated with the infection. Furthermore, a subgroup of six asymptomatic infected tortoises was monitored for two consecutive seasons after the outbreak: all the infected tortoises were determined to be intermittent shedders, except one, which was a persistent shedder. Post-hibernation was associated with the highest number of shedders. Finally, evidence of the most likely vertical transmission of the virus was obtained for the first time.

Details

Language :
English
Database :
OpenAIRE
Journal :
PLoS ONE, Marenzoni, Maria Luisa; Santoni, Lorenzo; Felici, Andrea; Maresca, Carmen; Stefanetti, Valentina; Sforna, Monica; Franciosini, Maria Pia; Casagrande Proietti, Patrizia; Origgi, Francesco (2018). Clinical, virological and epidemiological characterization of an outbreak of Testudinid Herpesvirus 3 in a chelonian captive breeding facility: Lessons learned and first evidence of TeHV3 vertical transmission. PLoS ONE, 13(5), e0197169. Public Library of Science 10.1371/journal.pone.0197169 <http://dx.doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0197169>, PLoS ONE, Vol 13, Iss 5, p e0197169 (2018)
Accession number :
edsair.doi.dedup.....b983ca800c2248f871aab60048847c48
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.7892/boris.129625