Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Eye infection signs from herpesvirus in a captive loggerhead turtle
By Oriá, Arianne P et al.·Published in Veterinary ophthalmology·2021·School of Veterinary Medicine and Zootechny, Brazil·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Atypical ocular Chelonoid herpesvirus manifestations in a captive Loggerhead turtle (Caretta caretta).
- Species:
- reptile
Plain-English summary
A 3-year-old loggerhead turtle was brought in with eye problems, including thick discharge, swelling, redness, and retracted eyeballs. After thorough testing, the turtle was diagnosed with an infection caused by Chelonid alphaherpesvirus 5 (ChAHV 5). The vet treated the turtle with L-lysine, acyclovir, and vitamin A, which successfully cleared up the eye issues. A follow-up exam five months later showed no signs of the virus, and the turtle has remained healthy for four years since the treatment.
People also search for: turtle eye problems · loggerhead turtle conjunctivitis treatment · Chelonid herpesvirus in turtles
Abstract
A captive loggerhead turtle (Caretta caretta) of unknown sex, 3 years of age, presented with bilateral mucoid secretions, severe chemosis, conjunctival hyperemia, and globe retraction. The animal was evaluated ophthalmologically and systemically, and hematological, microbiological, and conjunctival cytological and biopsy samples were collected for complementary diagnosis. The histopathological examination showed amphophilic intranuclear inclusions associated with severe inflammatory infiltrate. The diagnosis of Chelonid alphaherpesvirus 5 (ChAHV 5) was confirmed with end point PCR. Following systemic treatment with L-lysine, acyclovir and vitamin A, the ocular signs resolved. No amphophilic intranuclear inclusions were seen in a follow-up biopsy 5 months later, and there has been no recurrence of clinical ophthalmic signs during a 4-year follow-up. It is suggested that ChAHV 5 be considered as a differential diagnosis in captive marine turtles that present for conjunctival disease other than fibropapillomatosis.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33058466/