Detection of a Tortoise Herpesvirus Type 1 in a Hermann's Tortoise (Testudo hermanni boettgeri) in Germany

Abstract

ABSTRACT A Hermann's tortoise (Testudo hermanni boettgeri) from Germany was presented for medical examination showing signs of upper respiratory tract disease and hyperuricemia. The tortoise was kept with a Russian tortoise (Testudo horsfieldii) for 1 month before presentation. After 1 month of treatment, the respiratory symptoms disappeared. Herpesvirus (HV) was detected from an oral swab by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The use of different PCRs and sequencing a portion of the DNA polymerase gene demonstrated that the virus was identical to other HV isolates from Russian tortoises (tortoise herpesvirus 1, ToHV1) but distinct from HV isolates from other tortoises, including previously described HVs from Hermann's tortoises (ToHV3). This is the first description of the detection of a ToHV1 in a Hermann's tortoise.