First detection of herpesvirus and prevalence of mycoplasma infection in free-ranging Hermann’s tortoises (<i>Testudo hermanni</i>), and in potential pet vectors - CNRS - Centre national de la recherche scientifique Accéder directement au contenu
Article Dans Une Revue Peer Community Journal Année : 2022

First detection of herpesvirus and prevalence of mycoplasma infection in free-ranging Hermann’s tortoises (Testudo hermanni), and in potential pet vectors

Résumé

Two types of pathogens cause highly contagious upper respiratory tract diseases (URTD) in Chelonians: testudinid herpesviruses (TeHV) and a mycoplasma (Mycoplasma agassizii). In captivity, these infections are frequent and can provoke outbreaks. Pet trade generates an international ow of tortoises, often without sanitary checking; individuals intentionally or accidentally released in the wild may spread pathogens. A better understanding of the transmission of infectious agents from captivity to wild tortoises is needed. Many exotic individuals have been introduced in populations of the endangered western Hermanns tortoise (Testudo hermanni hermanni), notably spur-thighed tortoises (Testudo graeca). We assessed the presence of TeHV and mycoplasma in native western Hermanns tortoises and in potential pet vectors in south-eastern France. Using a large sample (N=572 tortoises), this study revealed, by PCR, the worrying presence of herpesvirus in 7 free-ranging individuals (3 sub-populations). Additionally, Mycoplasma agassizii was detected, by PCR, in 15 of the 18 populations sampled with a frequency ranging from 3.4% (1 of 29 tortoises) to 25% (3 of 12 tortoises). Exotic spurthighed tortoises showed a high frequency of mycoplasma infection in captivity (18.2%) and in individuals (50%) found in native Hermanns tortoise sub-populations, suggesting that this species could be a signicant vector. The paucity of information of TeHV on European tortoise URTD in natural settings, especially in combination with mycoplasma, prompts further studies. Indeed, sick tortoises remain concealed and may not be easily detected in the eld. Our results indicate good health for most infected tortoises but they should be screened in the eld as well as in captivity.

Dates et versions

hal-03540762 , version 1 (24-01-2022)

Identifiants

Citer

Jean-Marie Ballouard, Xavier Bonnet, Julie Jourdan, Albert Martinez-Silvestre, Stéphane Gagno, et al.. First detection of herpesvirus and prevalence of mycoplasma infection in free-ranging Hermann’s tortoises (Testudo hermanni), and in potential pet vectors. Peer Community Journal, 2022, 2, pp.e5. ⟨10.24072/pcjournal.81⟩. ⟨hal-03540762⟩
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