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George H. Balazs - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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Causes of mortality in green turtles from Hawaii and the insular Pacific exclusive of Fibropapillomatosis
Diseases of aquatic organisms, 2015Co-Authors: Thierry M. Work, George H. Balazs, Tammy M. Summers, Jessy R. Hapdei, Alden P. TagarinoAbstract:Fibropapillomatosis (FP) comprises a majority of green turtle stranding in Hawaii; however, green turtles in the Pacific are also susceptible to non-FP related causes of death. We present here necropsy findings from 230 free-ranging green turtles originating from Hawaii, the Mariana archipelago, Palmyra Atoll, American Samoa, and Johnston Atoll that died from non-FP related causes. Most turtles died from fishing-induced or boat strike trauma followed by infec- tious/inflammatory diseases, nutritional problems (mainly cachexia), and an array of physiologic problems. Infectious/inflammatory problems included bacterial diseases of the lungs, eyes, liver or intestines, spirorchid fluke infection, or polyarthritis of unknown origin. Likelihood of a success- ful diagnosis of cause of death was a function of post-mortem decomposition. Fibropapillomatosis was not seen in turtles submitted from outside Hawaii. The preponderance of anthropogenic causes of mortality offers some management opportunities to mitigate causes of death in these animals by, for example, implementing measures to decrease boating and fishing interactions.
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Investigating the potential role of persistent organic pollutants in Hawaiian green sea turtle Fibropapillomatosis.
Environmental science & technology, 2014Co-Authors: Jennifer M. Keller, Thierry M. Work, George H. Balazs, Frances Nilsen, Marc R. Rice, Brenda A. JensenAbstract:It has been hypothesized for decades that environmental pollutants may contribute to green sea turtle Fibropapillomatosis (FP), possibly through immunosuppression leading to greater susceptibility to the herpesvirus, the putative causative agent of this tumor-forming disease. To address this question, we measured concentrations of 164 persistent organic pollutants (POPs) and halogenated phenols in 53 Hawaiian green turtle (Chelonia mydas) plasma samples archived by the Biological and Environmental Monitoring and Archival of Sea Turtle Tissues (BEMAST) project at the National Institute of Standards and Technology Marine Environmental Specimen Bank. Four groups of turtles were examined: free-ranging turtles from Kiholo Bay (0% FP, Hawaii), Kailua Bay (low FP, 8%, Oahu), and Kapoho Bay (moderate FP, 38%, Hawaii) and severely tumored stranded turtles that required euthanasia (high FP, 100%, Main Hawaiian Islands). Four classes of POPs and seven halogenated phenols were detected in at least one of the turtles,...
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New primers reveal the presence of a duplicate histone H3 in the marine turtle leech Ozobranchus branchiatus
Conservation Genetics Resources, 2012Co-Authors: Philip Lavretsky, George H. Balazs, Triet M. Truong, Audrey E. Mcgowin, Jeffrey L. PetersAbstract:Marine leeches, specific to sea turtles, have been implicated as potential vector organisms in the spread of Fibropapillomatosis (FP), a pandemic neoplastic disease with Chelonia mydas having the highest affliction rate. Polymerase chain reaction identified two independent, seemingly functional histone H3 loci for marine turtle leeches Ozobranchus branchiatus collected from C. mydas in Florida and Hawaii. Primers were developed to amplify each product separately. Among the two loci, sequence differentiation ( Φ _ ST ) ranged from 0.161 to 0.182 with identical amino acid translations among the 22 samples. A maximum parsimony tree of GenBank histone H3 sequences from annelids indicated the gene duplication occurred within the Ozobranchidae family. Geographically separated populations yielded Φ _ ST values of 0.004–0.005 but were phylogenetically distinctive. These novel markers will be useful in identifying ectoparasites in FP research, evaluating other histone variants, and chromatin dynamics regulation studies.
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Cause-specific temporal and spatial trends in green sea turtle strandings in the Hawaiian Archipelago (1982–2003)
Marine Biology, 2008Co-Authors: Milani Chaloupka, Thierry M. Work, George H. Balazs, Shawn K K Murakawa, Robert MorrisAbstract:We investigated cause-specific temporal and spatial trends in sea turtle strandings in the Hawaiian Archipelago. Five species of sea turtle were recorded in 3,861 strandings over a 22-year period (1982–2003). Green turtles comprised 97% of these strandings with size and gender composition reflecting the demographic structure of the resident green turtle population and relative green turtle abundance in Hawaiian waters. The cause of strandings was determined by necropsy based on a complete gross external and internal examination. Totally 75% of the 3,732 green turtle strandings were from Oahu where strandings occur year-round. The most common known cause of the green turtle strandings was the tumour-forming disease, Fibropapillomatosis (28%) followed by hook-and-line fishing gear-induced trauma (7%), gillnet fishing gear-induced trauma (5%), boat strike (2.5%), and shark attack (2.7%). Miscellaneous causes comprised 5.4% of strandings whereas 49% of green turtle strandings could not be attributed to any known cause. Green turtle strandings attributable to boat strike were more likely from Kauai and Oahu while fibropapilloma strandings were more likely from Oahu and Maui. Hook-and-line gear strandings were more likely from Oahu due to higher per capita inshore fishing effort. The specific mortality rate (conditional probability) for Fibropapillomatosis was 88%, 69% for gillnet gear and 52% for hook-and-line gear. The probability of a dead green turtle stranding increased from 1982 but levelled off by the mid-1990s. The declining mortality risk was because the prevalence and severity of Fibropapillomatosis has decreased recently and so has the mortality risk attributable to gillnet gear. Despite exposure to disease and inshore fishing gears, the Hawaiian green turtle stock continues to recover following protection since the late 1970s. Nevertheless, measures to reduce incidental capture of sea turtles in coastal Hawaiian fisheries would be prudent, especially since strandings attributable to hook-and-line fishing gear have increased steadily since 1982.
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Cause-specific temporal and spatial trends in green sea turtle strandings in the Hawaiian Archipelago (1982-2003)
Marine Biology, 2008Co-Authors: Milani Chaloupka, Thierry M. Work, George H. Balazs, Shawn K K Murakawa, Robert M. MorrisAbstract:We investigated cause-specific temporal and spatial trends in sea turtle strandings in the Hawaiian Archipelago. Five species of sea turtle were recorded in 3,861 strandings over a 22-year period (1982–2003). Green turtles comprised 97% of these strandings with size and gender composition reflecting the demographic structure of the resident green turtle population and relative green turtle abundance in Hawaiian waters. The cause of strandings was determined by necropsy based on a complete gross external and internal examination. Totally 75% of the 3,732 green turtle strandings were from Oahu where strandings occur year-round. The most common known cause of the green turtle strandings was the tumour-forming disease, Fibropapillomatosis (28%) followed by hook-and-line fishing gear-induced trauma (7%), gillnet fishing gear-induced trauma (5%), boat strike (2.5%), and shark attack (2.7%). Miscellaneous causes comprised 5.4% of strandings whereas 49% of green turtle strandings could not be attributed to any known cause. Green turtle strandings attributable to boat strike were more likely from Kauai and Oahu while fibropapilloma strandings were more likely from Oahu and Maui. Hook-and-line gear strandings were more likely from Oahu due to higher per capita inshore fishing effort. The specific mortality rate (conditional probability) for Fibropapillomatosis was 88%, 69% for gillnet gear and 52% for hook-and-line gear. The probability of a dead green turtle stranding increased from 1982 but levelled off by the mid-1990s. The declining mortality risk was because the prevalence and severity of Fibropapillomatosis has decreased recently and so has the mortality risk attributable to gillnet gear. Despite exposure to disease and inshore fishing gears, the Hawaiian green turtle stock continues to recover following protection since the late 1970s. Nevertheless, measures to reduce incidental capture of sea turtles in coastal Hawaiian fisheries would be prudent, especially since strandings attributable to hook-and-line fishing gear have increased steadily since 1982.
Lawrence H. Herbst - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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Comprehensive health assessment of green turtles Chelonia mydas nesting in southeastern Florida, USA
Endangered Species Research, 2020Co-Authors: Annie Page-karjian, Lawrence H. Herbst, Charles A. Manire, Ryan M. Chabot, Nicole I. Stacy, Ashley S. Morgan, Roldán A. Valverde, Sydney Stewart, Christina M. Coppenrath, Christopher R. GregoryAbstract:Important indicators of population health needed for large-scale sea turtle population recovery efforts include demographics, disease and mortality trends, condition indices, and baseline blood data. With this comprehensive health assessment of adult female green sea turtles Chelonia mydas nesting on Juno Beach, Florida, USA, we (1) established comprehensive baseline health indices; (2) identified individuals with evidence of infection by chelonid alphaherpesviruses 5 and 6 (ChHV5, ChHV6), which are implicated in Fibropapillomatosis and respiratory and skin disease, respectively; and (3) compared measured health indices between turtles that did versus those that did not test positive for ChHV5 and/or ChHV6. All 60 turtles included in the study were in good body condition with no external Fibropapillomatosis tumors. Hematological and biochemical reference intervals were established. Via quantitative PCR (qPCR), 5/60 turtles (8%) tested positive for ChHV5, and all turtles were negative for ChHV6. Of 41 turtles tested for antibodies to ChHV5 and ChHV6, 29% and 15% tested positive, respectively, and 10% tested positive for antibodies to both viruses. Notably, there were no statistically significant differences between health variables for nesting turtles that tested positive for ChHV5 DNA versus those that tested negative; and also no differences between turtles that tested positive for ChHV5 or ChHV6 antibodies and those that did not. This suggests that these viruses are enzootically stable in Florida’s adult green turtles. This study provides a health profile of nesting green turtles in southeastern Florida applicable to temporal and spatial investigations of this and other populations.
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Use of Baculovirus-Expressed Glycoprotein H in an Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay Developed To Assess Exposure to Chelonid Fibropapillomatosis-Associated Herpesvirus and Its Relationship to the Prevalence of Fibropapillomatosis in Sea Turtles
Clinical and vaccine immunology : CVI, 2008Co-Authors: Lawrence H. Herbst, Paul A. Klein, Llewellyn M. Ehrhart, Shefali Lemaire, Ada Ene, David J. Heslin, Dean A. Bagley, Jack LenzAbstract:Chelonid Fibropapillomatosis-associated herpesvirus (CFPHV) is an alphaherpesvirus believed to cause marine turtle Fibropapillomatosis (FP). A serodiagnostic assay was developed for monitoring sea turtle populations for CFPHV exposure. CFPHV glycoprotein H (gH) expressed in recombinant baculovirus was used in an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) to detect virus-specific 7S turtle antibodies. Using captive-reared green turtles (Chelonia mydas) with no history of virus exposure as "known negatives" and others with experimentally induced FP as "known positives," the assay had 100% specificity but low sensitivity, as seroconversion was detected in only half of the turtles bearing experimentally induced tumors. Antibodies were detected only in samples collected after cutaneous fibropapillomas appeared, consistent with observations that tumors are significant sites of virion production and antigen expression and the possibility that prolonged/repeated virus shedding may be required for adequate stimulation of 7S antibody responses to gH. Natural routes of infection, however, may produce higher seroconversion rates. High gH antibody seroprevalences ( approximately 80%) were found among wild green turtles in three Florida localities with different FP prevalences, including one site with no history of FP. In addition, all eight loggerhead turtles (Caretta caretta) tested were seropositive despite FP being uncommon in this species. The possibility that CFPHV infection may be common relative to disease suggests roles for environmental and host factors as modulators of disease expression. Alternatively, the possibility of other antigenically similar herpesviruses present in wild populations cannot be excluded, although antibody cross-reactivity with the lung/eye/trachea disease-associated herpesvirus was ruled out in this study.
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Two herpesviruses associated with disease in wild Atlantic loggerhead sea turtles (Caretta caretta).
Veterinary Microbiology, 2007Co-Authors: Brian A. Stacy, Sadie S. Coberley, Lawrence H. Herbst, James F. X. Wellehan, Allen M. Foley, Charles A. Manire, Michael M. Garner, Milagros D. Brookins, April L. Childress, Elliott R JacobsonAbstract:Abstract 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.
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Fibropapillomatosis of marine turtles
Annual Review of Fish Diseases, 2003Co-Authors: Lawrence H. HerbstAbstract:Abstract Cutaneous Fibropapillomatosis in green sea turtles, Chelonia mydas (GTFP), was first reported over 50 years ago. In the last decade, GTFP has emerged as a significant worldwide epizootic with prevalences as high as 92% in some green turtle populations. Lesions similar to GTFP have been observed in other marine turtle species including olive ridleys, Lepidochelys olivacea , flatbacks, Natator depressus , and loggerheads, Caretta caretta , but disease in these species occurs at lower frequencies and is less well documented. The etiology of GTFP is unknown, and a variety of hypotheses concerning the possible etiology and pathogenesis of GTFP have been proposed and are discussed in this paper. Possible etiologies include viruses, metazoan parasites, ultraviolet radiation, and chemical carcinogens. Recent evidence from controlled transmission experiments implicates a filterable infectious agent as the primary etiology of GTFP. A herpesvirus has been identified in some lesions but has not been isolated and cultured; consequently, Koch's postulates have not yet been fulfilled for this agent. The epizootiology and pathogenesis of GTFP are poorly understood. Epizootiologic evidence, while limited to a few field studies, suggests that environmental conditions in certain near-shore marine habitats favor a high prevalence of disease expression. The possibility that immune system modulators play a role in the persistence and severity of this disease is discussed. Detailed investigations of the epizootiology of GTFP must await identification of the etiologic agent and development of specific diagnostic tests. In addition, until immune function tests can be developed and validated for free-ranging turtles, hypotheses about the role of immune system dysfunction in GTFP epizootics cannot be tested.
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Identification and Expression of Immunogenic Proteins of a Disease-Associated Marine Turtle Herpesvirus
Journal of virology, 2002Co-Authors: Sadie S. Coberley, Richard C. Condit, Lawrence H. Herbst, Paul A. KleinAbstract:Herpesviruses are associated with several diseases of marine turtles, including lung-eye-trachea disease (LETD) and Fibropapillomatosis. Two approaches were used to identify immunodominant antigens of LETV, the LETD-associated herpesvirus. The first approach targeted glycoprotein B, which is known to be immunogenic and neutralizing in other species. The second strategy identified LETV proteins recognized on Western blots by antibodies in immune green turtle plasma. A 38-kDa protein was resolved by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis, sequenced, and identified as a scaffolding protein encoded by the overlapping open reading frames of UL26 and UL26.5. Glycoprotein B and the scaffolding protein were cloned and expressed in Escherichia coli. The expressed proteins were recognized on Western blots by antibodies in immune green turtle plasma. Phylogenetic studies based on UL26, DNA polymerase, and glycoprotein B revealed that LETV clusters with the alphaherpesviruses.
Paul A. Klein - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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Use of Baculovirus-Expressed Glycoprotein H in an Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay Developed To Assess Exposure to Chelonid Fibropapillomatosis-Associated Herpesvirus and Its Relationship to the Prevalence of Fibropapillomatosis in Sea Turtles
Clinical and vaccine immunology : CVI, 2008Co-Authors: Lawrence H. Herbst, Paul A. Klein, Llewellyn M. Ehrhart, Shefali Lemaire, Ada Ene, David J. Heslin, Dean A. Bagley, Jack LenzAbstract:Chelonid Fibropapillomatosis-associated herpesvirus (CFPHV) is an alphaherpesvirus believed to cause marine turtle Fibropapillomatosis (FP). A serodiagnostic assay was developed for monitoring sea turtle populations for CFPHV exposure. CFPHV glycoprotein H (gH) expressed in recombinant baculovirus was used in an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) to detect virus-specific 7S turtle antibodies. Using captive-reared green turtles (Chelonia mydas) with no history of virus exposure as "known negatives" and others with experimentally induced FP as "known positives," the assay had 100% specificity but low sensitivity, as seroconversion was detected in only half of the turtles bearing experimentally induced tumors. Antibodies were detected only in samples collected after cutaneous fibropapillomas appeared, consistent with observations that tumors are significant sites of virion production and antigen expression and the possibility that prolonged/repeated virus shedding may be required for adequate stimulation of 7S antibody responses to gH. Natural routes of infection, however, may produce higher seroconversion rates. High gH antibody seroprevalences ( approximately 80%) were found among wild green turtles in three Florida localities with different FP prevalences, including one site with no history of FP. In addition, all eight loggerhead turtles (Caretta caretta) tested were seropositive despite FP being uncommon in this species. The possibility that CFPHV infection may be common relative to disease suggests roles for environmental and host factors as modulators of disease expression. Alternatively, the possibility of other antigenically similar herpesviruses present in wild populations cannot be excluded, although antibody cross-reactivity with the lung/eye/trachea disease-associated herpesvirus was ruled out in this study.
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Identification and Expression of Immunogenic Proteins of a Disease-Associated Marine Turtle Herpesvirus
Journal of virology, 2002Co-Authors: Sadie S. Coberley, Richard C. Condit, Lawrence H. Herbst, Paul A. KleinAbstract:Herpesviruses are associated with several diseases of marine turtles, including lung-eye-trachea disease (LETD) and Fibropapillomatosis. Two approaches were used to identify immunodominant antigens of LETV, the LETD-associated herpesvirus. The first approach targeted glycoprotein B, which is known to be immunogenic and neutralizing in other species. The second strategy identified LETV proteins recognized on Western blots by antibodies in immune green turtle plasma. A 38-kDa protein was resolved by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis, sequenced, and identified as a scaffolding protein encoded by the overlapping open reading frames of UL26 and UL26.5. Glycoprotein B and the scaffolding protein were cloned and expressed in Escherichia coli. The expressed proteins were recognized on Western blots by antibodies in immune green turtle plasma. Phylogenetic studies based on UL26, DNA polymerase, and glycoprotein B revealed that LETV clusters with the alphaherpesviruses.
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Detection of Antibodies to a Disease-Associated Herpesvirus of the Green Turtle, Chelonia mydas
Journal of clinical microbiology, 2001Co-Authors: Sadie S. Coberley, Susan A. Schaf, Elliott R. Jacobson, Lawrence H. Herbst, Daniel R. Brown, Llewellyn M. Ehrhart, Dean A. Bagley, Ritchie H. Moretti, Paul A. KleinAbstract:Lung-eye-trachea disease-associated herpesvirus (LETV) is linked with morbidity and mortality in mariculture-reared green turtles, but its prevalence among and impact on wild marine turtle populations is unknown. An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was developed for detection of anti-LETV antibodies and could distinguish LETV-exposed green turtles from those with antibodies to Fibropapillomatosis-associated herpesvirus (FPHV). Plasma from two captive-reared green turtles immunized with inactivated LETV served as positive controls. Plasma from 42 healthy captive-reared green turtles and plasma from 30 captive-reared green turtles with experimentally induced Fibropapillomatosis (FP) and anti-FPHV antibodies had low ELISA values on LETV antigen. A survey of 19 wild green turtles with and 27 without FP (with and without anti-FPHV antibodies, respectively) identified individuals with antibodies to LETV regardless of their FP status. The seroprevalence of LETV infection was 13%. The presence of antibodies to LETV in plasma samples was confirmed by Western blot and immunohistochemical analyses. These results are the first to suggest that wild Florida green turtles are exposed to LETV or to an antigenically closely related herpesvirus(es) other than FPHV and that FPHV and LETV infections are most likely independent events. This is the first ELISA developed to detect antibodies for a specific herpesvirus infection of marine turtles. The specificity of this ELISA for LETV (ability to distinguish LETV from FPHV) makes it valuable for detecting exposure to this specific herpesvirus and enhances our ability to conduct seroepidemiological studies of these disease-associated agents in marine turtles.
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Further strategies for evaluating the etiological role of atumor-associated herpesvirus in marine turtle Fibropapillomatosis
2001Co-Authors: Paul A. Klein, Elliott R JacobsonAbstract:In 1992, an interdisciplinary research team headquartered at the University of Florida began studies in key targeted areas of Fibropapillomatosis (FP) etiology and pathogenesis. At that time, little was known about FP outside of field studies documenting its prevalence in different areas of the world and studies of tumor histopathology. Our primary objective was to develop a broad-based scientific understanding of FP by applying principles of tumor biology, immunology, pathology, virology, molecular biology, and epidemiology to FP in the green turtle, Chelonia mydas. Long-term goals included the development of assays for FP and study of any role of environmental co-factors in the disease. This report is a continuation of that effort and the results reported here bring us closer to understanding the role of a tumor-associated herpesvirus in marine turtle Fibropapillomatosis. This research has demonstrated that marine turtle herpesviruses can persist for extended periods of time as infectious agents in the marine environment and that wild green turtles in Florida are exposed to the LETD-associated herpesvirus. This is the first description of LETV infection in free-ranging. marine turtles. In addition, data is presented that supports the hypothesis that LETV and FPHV infections are independent. These data reveal new levels of complexity that must be addressed before reliable serodiagnostic assays for herpesvirus infections of chelonians can be developed for widespread application. The results reported here also raise new concerns about the potential impact of infections by new herpesviruses on populations of wild marine turtles, an area which has previously been unexplored by turtle biologists. (8 page document)
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Pathogenic, Molecular, and Immunological Properties of a Virus Associated with Sea TurtleFibropapillomatosis. Phase II : Viral Pathogenesis and Development of Diagnostic Assays
2000Co-Authors: Paul A. Klein, Sadie S. Coberley, Lawrence H. Herbst, Daniel R. Brown, Llewellyn M. Ehrhart, Ritchie H. Moretti, Karen A. Bjorndal, Alan B. Bolten, Joel K. LackovichAbstract:Research conducted under this RWO from July 1, 1997 through June 30, 2000 has provided important new information about the pathogenesis, virology, and immunology of marine turtle Fibropapillomatosis. In particular, we have provided strong evidence for the association of a herpesvirus with Fibropapillomatosis of the green turtle,Chelonia mydas, and the loggerhead turtle, Caretta caretta, in Florida. In addition we have provided new evidence for the absence of papillomaviruses from sea turtle fibropapillomas. Although unsuccessful, important new attempts were made to cultivate the FP-associated herpesvirus in vitro in collaboration with the National Wildlife Health Center. During this period of time, we completed publication of the first comprehensive description of the comparative pathology and pathogenesis of experimentally induced and spontaneous fibropapillomas of green turtles (Chelonia mydas). We initiated innovative studies on the persistence of a Chelonian herpesviruses in the marine environment demonstrating for the first time that the environmental survivability of Chelonian herpesviruses makes them real threats to marine turtle health. Finally, we explored development of a serological assay for FP using synthetic herpesvirus peptides and developed methodologies for detection of antibodies to LETV [Iung-eye-trachea virus] a disease-associated herpesvirus of the green turtle, Chelonia mydas.. This last initiative is ongoing and will further our efforts to develop specific immunological assays for the FP-associated herpesvirus and FP. (17 page document)
Thierry M. Work - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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Health condition of juvenile Chelonia mydas related to Fibropapillomatosis in southeast Brazil
Diseases of aquatic organisms, 2015Co-Authors: Marcello Renan De Deus Santos, Agnaldo Silva Martins, Cecília Baptistotte, Thierry M. WorkAbstract:Packed cell volume (PCV), plasma biochemistry, visual body condition (BC), and calculated body condition index (BCI) were evaluated in 170 wild juvenile green sea turtles Chelonia mydas from an aggregation in the effluent canal of a steel mill in Brazil. Occurrence of cutaneous Fibropapillomatosis (FP) was observed in 44.1% of the animals examined. BCI alone did not differ significantly between healthy animals and those afflicted with FP. However, all turtles with low BCI were severely afflicted and were uremic, hypoglycemic, and anemic in relation to healthy animals. Severe FP was not always reflected by a poor health condition of the individual. Clinical evaluation and plasma biochemistry indicated that most animals afflicted with FP were in good health condition. Differences in FP manifestations and associated health conditions in different geographic regions must be assessed by long-term health monitoring programs to help define priorities for conservation efforts.
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Causes of mortality in green turtles from Hawaii and the insular Pacific exclusive of Fibropapillomatosis
Diseases of aquatic organisms, 2015Co-Authors: Thierry M. Work, George H. Balazs, Tammy M. Summers, Jessy R. Hapdei, Alden P. TagarinoAbstract:Fibropapillomatosis (FP) comprises a majority of green turtle stranding in Hawaii; however, green turtles in the Pacific are also susceptible to non-FP related causes of death. We present here necropsy findings from 230 free-ranging green turtles originating from Hawaii, the Mariana archipelago, Palmyra Atoll, American Samoa, and Johnston Atoll that died from non-FP related causes. Most turtles died from fishing-induced or boat strike trauma followed by infec- tious/inflammatory diseases, nutritional problems (mainly cachexia), and an array of physiologic problems. Infectious/inflammatory problems included bacterial diseases of the lungs, eyes, liver or intestines, spirorchid fluke infection, or polyarthritis of unknown origin. Likelihood of a success- ful diagnosis of cause of death was a function of post-mortem decomposition. Fibropapillomatosis was not seen in turtles submitted from outside Hawaii. The preponderance of anthropogenic causes of mortality offers some management opportunities to mitigate causes of death in these animals by, for example, implementing measures to decrease boating and fishing interactions.
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The story of invasive algae, arginine, and turtle tumors does not make sense
2014Co-Authors: Thierry M. Work, Milani Chaloupka, Mathias Ackermann, James W Casey, Lawrence Herbst, Jennifer M Lynch, Brian A. StacyAbstract:We are presenting a rebuttal letter to the following article that appeared recently on PeerJ: Van Houtan KS, Smith CM, Dailer ML, and Kawachi M. 2014. Eutrophication and the dietary promotion of sea turtle tumors. PeerJ 2:e602. This article is available at the following URL: https://peerj.com/articles/602/. We argue that the article lacks an inferential framework to answer the complex question regarding the drivers of the turtle tumor disease Fibropapillomatosis in Hawaii. The article also contains procedural flaws and does not provide any compelling evidence of a link between algae, arginine, and turtle tumors.
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Investigating the potential role of persistent organic pollutants in Hawaiian green sea turtle Fibropapillomatosis.
Environmental science & technology, 2014Co-Authors: Jennifer M. Keller, Thierry M. Work, George H. Balazs, Frances Nilsen, Marc R. Rice, Brenda A. JensenAbstract:It has been hypothesized for decades that environmental pollutants may contribute to green sea turtle Fibropapillomatosis (FP), possibly through immunosuppression leading to greater susceptibility to the herpesvirus, the putative causative agent of this tumor-forming disease. To address this question, we measured concentrations of 164 persistent organic pollutants (POPs) and halogenated phenols in 53 Hawaiian green turtle (Chelonia mydas) plasma samples archived by the Biological and Environmental Monitoring and Archival of Sea Turtle Tissues (BEMAST) project at the National Institute of Standards and Technology Marine Environmental Specimen Bank. Four groups of turtles were examined: free-ranging turtles from Kiholo Bay (0% FP, Hawaii), Kailua Bay (low FP, 8%, Oahu), and Kapoho Bay (moderate FP, 38%, Hawaii) and severely tumored stranded turtles that required euthanasia (high FP, 100%, Main Hawaiian Islands). Four classes of POPs and seven halogenated phenols were detected in at least one of the turtles,...
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Cause-specific temporal and spatial trends in green sea turtle strandings in the Hawaiian Archipelago (1982–2003)
Marine Biology, 2008Co-Authors: Milani Chaloupka, Thierry M. Work, George H. Balazs, Shawn K K Murakawa, Robert MorrisAbstract:We investigated cause-specific temporal and spatial trends in sea turtle strandings in the Hawaiian Archipelago. Five species of sea turtle were recorded in 3,861 strandings over a 22-year period (1982–2003). Green turtles comprised 97% of these strandings with size and gender composition reflecting the demographic structure of the resident green turtle population and relative green turtle abundance in Hawaiian waters. The cause of strandings was determined by necropsy based on a complete gross external and internal examination. Totally 75% of the 3,732 green turtle strandings were from Oahu where strandings occur year-round. The most common known cause of the green turtle strandings was the tumour-forming disease, Fibropapillomatosis (28%) followed by hook-and-line fishing gear-induced trauma (7%), gillnet fishing gear-induced trauma (5%), boat strike (2.5%), and shark attack (2.7%). Miscellaneous causes comprised 5.4% of strandings whereas 49% of green turtle strandings could not be attributed to any known cause. Green turtle strandings attributable to boat strike were more likely from Kauai and Oahu while fibropapilloma strandings were more likely from Oahu and Maui. Hook-and-line gear strandings were more likely from Oahu due to higher per capita inshore fishing effort. The specific mortality rate (conditional probability) for Fibropapillomatosis was 88%, 69% for gillnet gear and 52% for hook-and-line gear. The probability of a dead green turtle stranding increased from 1982 but levelled off by the mid-1990s. The declining mortality risk was because the prevalence and severity of Fibropapillomatosis has decreased recently and so has the mortality risk attributable to gillnet gear. Despite exposure to disease and inshore fishing gears, the Hawaiian green turtle stock continues to recover following protection since the late 1970s. Nevertheless, measures to reduce incidental capture of sea turtles in coastal Hawaiian fisheries would be prudent, especially since strandings attributable to hook-and-line fishing gear have increased steadily since 1982.
Elliott R Jacobson - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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Two herpesviruses associated with disease in wild Atlantic loggerhead sea turtles (Caretta caretta).
Veterinary Microbiology, 2007Co-Authors: Brian A. Stacy, Sadie S. Coberley, Lawrence H. Herbst, James F. X. Wellehan, Allen M. Foley, Charles A. Manire, Michael M. Garner, Milagros D. Brookins, April L. Childress, Elliott R JacobsonAbstract:Abstract 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.
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Evaluation of magnetic resonance imaging for detection of internal tumors in green turtles with cutaneous Fibropapillomatosis
Javma-journal of The American Veterinary Medical Association, 2004Co-Authors: Lara A. Croft, Susan A. Schaf, John P. Graham, Elliott R JacobsonAbstract:Objective—To describe the gross cross-sectional anatomy of green turtles (Chelonia mydas) and evaluate magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for detection of internal tumors in green turtles with cutaneous Fibropapillomatosis. Design—Prospective study. Animals—3 dead green turtles, 1 healthy green turtle, and 8 green turtles with cutaneous Fibropapillomatosis. Procedures—Gross cross-sectional anatomy of a dead turtle was described. Each live turtle underwent a complete physical examination, and dorsoventral whole-body survey radiographic views were obtained. Magnetic resonance imaging was performed in dorsal and transverse planes. Radiographs and magnetic resonance images were examined for evidence of internal nodules. Results were compared with necropsy findings in 5 of 8 turtles. Results—Nodules in the lungs of 2 turtles were detected via radiography, whereas pulmonary nodules were detected in 5 turtles via MRI. No other visceral nodules were detected via radiography; however, masses in the stomach and adjac...
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Further strategies for evaluating the etiological role of atumor-associated herpesvirus in marine turtle Fibropapillomatosis
2001Co-Authors: Paul A. Klein, Elliott R JacobsonAbstract:In 1992, an interdisciplinary research team headquartered at the University of Florida began studies in key targeted areas of Fibropapillomatosis (FP) etiology and pathogenesis. At that time, little was known about FP outside of field studies documenting its prevalence in different areas of the world and studies of tumor histopathology. Our primary objective was to develop a broad-based scientific understanding of FP by applying principles of tumor biology, immunology, pathology, virology, molecular biology, and epidemiology to FP in the green turtle, Chelonia mydas. Long-term goals included the development of assays for FP and study of any role of environmental co-factors in the disease. This report is a continuation of that effort and the results reported here bring us closer to understanding the role of a tumor-associated herpesvirus in marine turtle Fibropapillomatosis. This research has demonstrated that marine turtle herpesviruses can persist for extended periods of time as infectious agents in the marine environment and that wild green turtles in Florida are exposed to the LETD-associated herpesvirus. This is the first description of LETV infection in free-ranging. marine turtles. In addition, data is presented that supports the hypothesis that LETV and FPHV infections are independent. These data reveal new levels of complexity that must be addressed before reliable serodiagnostic assays for herpesvirus infections of chelonians can be developed for widespread application. The results reported here also raise new concerns about the potential impact of infections by new herpesviruses on populations of wild marine turtles, an area which has previously been unexplored by turtle biologists. (8 page document)
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Association of herpesvirus with Fibropapillomatosis of the green turtle Chelonia mydas and the loggerhead turtle Caretta caretta in Florida.
Diseases of aquatic organisms, 1999Co-Authors: Joel K. Lackovich, Lawrence H. Herbst, Daniel R. Brown, Ritchie H. Moretti, Bruce L. Homer, Richard L. Garber, Douglas R. Mader, Amy D. Patterson, Jorge Oros, Elliott R JacobsonAbstract:Sea turtle Fibropapillomatosis (FP) is a disease marked by proliferation of benign but debilitating cutaneous fibropapillomas and occasional visceral fibromas. Transmission experiments have implicated a chloroform-sensitive transforming agent present in filtered cell-free tumor homogenates in the etiology of FP. In this study, consensus primer PCR methodology was used to test the association of a chelonian herpesvirus with Fibropapillomatosis. Fibropapilloma and skin samples were obtained from 17 green and 2 loggerhead turtles affected with FP stranded along the Florida coastline. Ninety-three cutaneous and visceral tumors from the 19 turtles, and 33 skin samples from 16 of the turtles, were tested. All turtles affected with FP had herpesvirus associated with their tumors as detected by PCR. Ninety-six percent (89/93) of the tumors, but only 9% (3/33) of the skin samples, from affected turtles contained detectable herpesvirus. The skin samples that contained herpesvirus were all within 2 cm of a fibropapilloma. Also, 1 of 11 scar tissue samples from sites where fibropapillomas had been removed 2 to 51 wk earlier from 5 green turtles contained detectable herpesvirus. None of 18 normal skin samples from 2 green and 2 loggerhead turtles stranded without FP contained herpesvirus. The data indicated that herpesvirus was detectable only within or close to tumors. To determine if the same virus infected both turtle species, partial nucleotide sequences of the herpesvirus DNA polymerase gene were determined from 6 loggerhead and 2 green turtle samples. The sequences predicted that herpesvirus of loggerhead turtles differed from those of green turtles by only 1 of 60 amino acids in the sequence examined, indicating that a chelonian herpesvirus exhibiting minor intratypic variation was the only herpesvirus present in tumors of both green and loggerhead turtles. The FP-associated herpesvirus resisted cultivation on chelonian cell lines which support the replication of other chelonian herpesviruses. These results lead to the conclusion that a chelonian herpesvirus is regularly associated with Fibropapillomatosis and is not merely an incidental finding in affected turtles.
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Comparative pathology and pathogenesis of spontaneous and experimentally induced fibropapillomas of green turtles (Chelonia mydas).
Veterinary pathology, 1999Co-Authors: Lawrence H. Herbst, Elliott R Jacobson, Paul A. Klein, Ritchie H. Moretti, George H. Balazs, T. Brown, John P. SundbergAbstract:Tumor biopsy samples from 25 Floridian and 15 Hawaiian green turtles (Chelonia mydas) with spontaneous green turtle Fibropapillomatosis (GTFP) and from 27 captive-reared green turtles with experimen- tally induced GTFP were examined microscopically to differentiate the histologic features that result from GTFP pathogenesis and those that result from incidental factors that may vary according to geographic region. Com- mon histologic features for spontaneous and experimentally induced tumors included fibroblast proliferation in the superficial dermis, epidermal acanthosis and hyperkeratosis, epidermal basal cell degeneration with dermal- epidermal cleft formation, spinous layer degeneration with intraepidermal vesicle and pustule formation, and ulceration. Visceral tumors, found in eight of 10 (80%) free-ranging turtles with cutaneous disease that were examined after death, had extensive interstitial fibrous proliferation. The presence of spirorchid trematode eggs and associated foreign body granulomas, common secondary findings within spontaneous tumors, varied by geographic location, and these findings were not observed in experimentally induced tumors. Eosinophilic intranuclear inclusions and intranuclear herpesvirus-associated antigen immunoreactivity were found in 18 of 38 (47%) experimentally induced cutaneous tumors and nine of 119 (7.5%) spontaneous tumors from Floridian but not Hawaiian turtles. The possible involvement of GTFP-associated herpesvirus in the pathogenesis of epidermal degenerative changes and GTFP pathogenesis is discussed. Green turtle Fibropapillomatosis (GTFP) is a disease of green turtles (Chelonia mydas) that is characterized by multiple cutaneous papillomas, fibromas, and fibro- papillomas, as well as occasional visceral fibromas. Concern over recent increases in the prevalence of GTFP around the world has focused attention on iden- tifying the cause and understanding the pathogenesis of this disease so that management strategies can be developed to minimize its impact on populations of endangered green turtles. 18