Prevalence of Ranavirus in Virginia Turtles as Detected by Tail-Clip Sampling Versus Oral-Cloacal Swabbing

Distribution and Host Range of Ranaviruses

“…Some studies have indicated that increased ranaviral mortality in box turtles may correlate with increased exposure to infected sympatric amphibians, possibly via predation on infected amphibians, exposure to water containing ranavirus shed by amphibians, or via hematophagous insects (Belzer and Seibert 2011 ;Kimble et al 2014 ). A study of wild Eastern painted turtles, an aquatic species, in Virginia, USA, reported infection prevalence of 4.8-31.6 % in different ponds, with no apparent disease (Goodman et al 2013 ).…”

Comparative Pathology of Ranaviruses and Diagnostic Techniques

“…It is instructive to note that the original amphibian ranavirus isolates (Frog virus-1, -2, and -3) were from animals that were, with the exception of one with a renal tumor, ostensibly normal (Granoff et al 1966 ). Subclinical infections have been detected in wild amphibians Rothermel et al 2013 ), chelonians (Allender et al 2013b ;Goodman et al 2013 ), and fi sh (Goldberg 2002 ;Whittington et al 2010 ). Additionally, subclinical infections have been experimentally produced in amphibians (Brunner et al 2004 ;Harp and Petranka 2006 ;Robert et al 2007Robert et al , 2011, chelonians (Johnson et al 2007 ; Brenes et al 2014a , b ), and fi sh (Bang Jensen et al 2011 ;Becker et al 2013 ;Brenes et al 2014a , b ).…”

Ranaviruses

“…7 ). Consistent with this hypothesis, ranavirus prevalence was higher (11/63; 17 %) in highly aquatic eastern painted turtles ( Chrysemys picta picta ) in Virginia, USA (Goodman et al 2013 ).…”

“…It is instructive to note that the original amphibian ranavirus isolates (Frog virus-1, -2, and -3) were from animals that were, with the exception of one with a renal tumor, ostensibly normal (Granoff et al 1966 ). Subclinical infections have been detected in wild amphibians , chelonians (Allender et al 2013b ;Goodman et al 2013 ), and fi sh (Goldberg 2002 ;. Additionally, subclinical infections have been experimentally produced in amphibians , chelonians ; Brenes et al 2014a , b ), and fi sh (Bang Jensen et al 2011 ;Becker et al 2013 ;Brenes et al 2014a , b ).…”