Prevalence and cultivation of a Chelonid herpesvirus associated with Fibropapillomas of the green turtle, Chelonia mydas, and the loggerhead turtle, Caretta caretta, in Florida.

Abstract

Fibropapillomatosis (FP) is a growing threat to the survival of green turtle, Chelonia mydas, populations worldwide and has been shown to be affecting loggerhead, Caretta caretta, and olive ridley, Lepidochelys olivacea, populations as well. Transmission studies in captivity carried out by this laboratory have demonstrated that FP in green turtles is caused by an infectious subcellular agent. (Herbst, et al, 1995), (Herbst et ai, 1996a). We have demonstrated a new Chelonid herpesvirus in experimentally induced and spontaneous fibropapillomas of green turtles using electronmicroscopic, molecular, and serological techniques (Jacobson et ai, 1991), (Herbst, et ai, 1995), (Herbst, et ai, 1996b), (Lackovich, et al 1998a), (Herbst, et ai, 1998), (Garber, et al 1998). Recent studies by others have confirmed our early characterization of this virus as a member of the Alphaherpesvirinae subfamily (Quackenbush, et al, 1998, Herbst, et al, 1996b, Garber, et ai, 1998). Although this herpesvirus is considered a candidate for the etiology of FP, it has not yet been cultivated in vitro. Fulfillment of Koch's postulates through a controlled transmission study using cultured herpesvirus would test its role as the etiologic agent of FP. These studies were initiated to provide previously unavailable information about the prevalence of this virus in tumors and skin of green and loggerhead turtles in Florida and to attempt to cultivate it in vitro. (13 page document)