| Autor: |
Perrault JR; Loggerhead Marinelife Center, Juno Beach, FL 33408, USA., Levin M; Department of Pathobiology and Veterinary Science, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT 06269, USA., Mott CR; Inwater Research Group, Jensen Beach, FL 34957, USA., Bovery CM; Gumbo Limbo Nature Center, Boca Raton, FL 33432, USA., Bresette MJ; Inwater Research Group, Jensen Beach, FL 34957, USA., Chabot RM; Inwater Research Group, Jensen Beach, FL 34957, USA., Gregory CR; Infectious Diseases Laboratory, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA., Guertin JR; Inwater Research Group, Jensen Beach, FL 34957, USA., Hirsch SE; Loggerhead Marinelife Center, Juno Beach, FL 33408, USA., Ritchie BW; Infectious Diseases Laboratory, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA., Weege ST; Inwater Research Group, Jensen Beach, FL 34957, USA., Welsh RC; Inwater Research Group, Jensen Beach, FL 34957, USA., Witherington BE; Inwater Research Group, Jensen Beach, FL 34957, USA., Page-Karjian A; Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute, Florida Atlantic University, Fort Pierce, FL 34946, USA. |
| Abstrakt: |
Chelonid alphaherpesviruses 5 and 6 (ChHV5 and ChHV6) are viruses that affect wild sea turtle populations. ChHV5 is associated with the neoplastic disease fibropapillomatosis (FP), which affects green turtles ( Chelonia mydas ) in panzootic proportions. ChHV6 infection is associated with lung-eye-trachea disease (LETD), which has only been observed in maricultured sea turtles, although antibodies to ChHV6 have been detected in free-ranging turtles. To better understand herpesvirus prevalence and host immunity in various green turtle foraging aggregations in Florida, USA, our objectives were to compare measures of innate and adaptive immune function in relation to (1) FP tumor presence and severity, and (2) ChHV5 and ChHV6 infection status. Free-ranging, juvenile green turtles ( N = 45) were captured and examined for external FP tumors in Florida's Big Bend, Indian River Lagoon, and Lake Worth Lagoon. Blood samples were collected upon capture and analyzed for ChHV5 and ChHV6 DNA, antibodies to ChHV5 and ChHV6, in vitro lymphocyte proliferation using a T-cell mitogen (concanavalin A), and natural killer cell activity. Despite an overall high FP prevalence (56%), ChHV5 DNA was only observed in one individual, whereas 20% of turtles tested positive for antibodies to ChHV5. ChHV6 DNA was not observed in any animals and only one turtle tested positive for ChHV6 antibodies. T-cell proliferation was not significantly related to FP presence, tumor burden, or ChHV5 seroprevalence; however, lymphocyte proliferation in response to concanavalin A was decreased in turtles with severe FP ( N = 3). Lastly, green turtles with FP ( N = 9) had significantly lower natural killer cell activity compared to FP-free turtles ( N = 5). These results increase our understanding of immune system effects related to FP and provide evidence that immunosuppression occurs after the onset of FP disease. |
