Literaturdatenbank
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Jacobson, E. R., Brown, M., Klein, P. A., Wendland, L. D., Christopher, M., & Berry, K. (2012). Mycoplasmosis and upper respiratory tract disease of desert and gopher tortoises: An update. Proceedings of the Association of Reptile and Amphibian Veterinarians, 2012.
Added by: Admin (06 Jan 2014 18:24:40 UTC) |
| Resource type: Journal Article BibTeX citation key: Jacobson2012b View all bibliographic details  |
Categories: General Keywords: Bakterien - bacteria, Gopherus agassizii, Gopherus polyphemus, Schildkröten - turtles + tortoises, Testudinidae, Veterinärmedizin - veterinary medicine Creators: Berry, Brown, Christopher, Jacobson, Klein, Wendland Collection: Proceedings of the Association of Reptile and Amphibian Veterinarians |
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| Abstract |
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Testudinidae Gopherus polyphemus agassizii In 1989 an outbreak of upper respiratory tract disease (URTD) occurred in desert tortoises from the Desert Tortoise Natural Area, Kern County, California, launching a multifaceted 23-yr disease investigation and research effort. Using electron microscopy, an organism resembling Mycoplasma sp. was identified in tissue from the nasal cavity of affected tortoises. The organism was subsequently isolated and named Mycoplasma agassizii. Transmission studies confirmed it as an etiologic agent of URTD. Serologic and molecular (PCR) tests were developed to determine a specific antibody response indicating exposure and to detect the presence of the organism itself. While these tools have tremendous conservation value, especially during health assessment of wild populations and groups of tortoises being translocated, their ultimate value depends on having individuals with the expertise and background to properly use and interpret test results. For instance, Western blot was recommended for testing plasma samples from tortoises for anti-Mycoplasma antibody,1 but subsequent research demonstrated that reliance on a single M. agassizii strain as an antigen in Western blot assays can yield false-negative results.2 To complicate the situation further, many tortoises with mycoplasmosis can be subclinical, i.e., show no clinical signs despite being infected and having lesions in the upper respiratory tract. Additionally, a second Mycoplasma organism has subsequently been identified (M. testudineum). Preliminary studies indicate that M. testudineum has pathogenic potential in both desert and gopher tortoises, adding another diagnostic challenge to disease testing and management of these vulnerable populations.
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