Relationships Among Aural Abscesses, Organochlorine Compounds, and Vitamin a in Free-Ranging Eastern Box Turtles (Terrapene Carolina Carolina)

Abstract

ABSTRACT:Aural abscesses are a common health problem in free-ranging eastern box turtles (Terrapene carolina carolina), and they have been associated with high body burdens of organochlorine (OC) compounds, which are known disruptors of vitamin A. The objective of this study was to determine if the presence of pathologic lesions in box turtles were correlated with increased and decreased levels of hepatic OC compounds and vitamin A, respectively. A graded scale for the pathologic changes observed in tissue samples collected from abscessed and nonabscessed box turtles over a 2-yr period (2003-04) was developed, and the levels of OC compounds and vitamin A in livers collected from the same turtles were determined through chemical analysis. Sixty-eight turtles (40 with aural abscesses and 28 without) were included in the study. Relationships between variables were analyzed using Spearman's Rank Correlation Test, where P#0.05 was considered significant. Twenty-seven different OC compounds were identified. Mean6standard deviation (SD) total OC compound level for all turtles was 0.3560.83 ppm (range 0-5.81 ppm), and mean6SD vitamin A level was 72.8698.6 ppm (range 0-535.7 ppm). There was no correlation between pathologic score and total hepatic OC compound concentration (r520.18, P50.16). However, pathologic score was positively correlated with o,p9-DDT (r50.25, P50.05). Vitamin A was positively correlated with pathologic score (r50.32, P50.01), which was contrary to the expected result. There was no linear correlation between vitamin A and total hepatic OC compound concentration (r520.04, P50.75). However, a nonlinear regression provided a significant fit (r 2 50.12, P50.02), indicating an initial increase in vitamin A as the OC compound burden increased, followed by a decline as OC compound levels increased further. The hepatic OC compound residue concentrations in these box turtles were lower compared to levels found in freshwater aquatic turtles but similar to levels in other terrestrial reptile species. This study provides mixed results in support of a role of OC compounds, presumably of environmental origin, in the etiology of aural abscesses in free-ranging box turtles.

Genetic relationship of Salmonella isolates found in subcutaneous abscesses in leopard geckos (Eublepharis macularius)

“…Deficiency of vitamin A and low humidity seems to be involved with abnormal shedding and ophthalmological problems (2,12). Excessively intensive breeding, compromised animal welfare, poor hygiene and hypovitaminosis A could be primary reasons of abscess formation (3,4,19). Introduction of new animals could also contribute to the disruption of the microbiological balance on the breeding farm.…”

A case report of intrarenal epidermoid cysts in a yellow-bellied slider ( Trachemys scripta scripta )

“…Hypovitaminosis A in omnivorous turtles is thought to be secondary to a deficient diet or the presence of vitamin A disruptors (e.g., organochlorine compounds) (Sleeman et al, 2008). The diet provided in this case is not currently recommended, while a diet rich in whole preys (i.e., small fish) and plants is considered more suitable in this species (Mans and Braun, 2014).…”

Environmental contaminants, endocrine disruption, and transgender: Can “born that way” in some cases be toxicologically real?

“…In this manner, DDT and other pesticides and pollutants have become ubiquitously distributed, such that the entire globe is contaminated, with inhabitant life forms subject to a growing list of recognized hormone mimicking properties. 6,7 To this effect, the author has analyzed tissues of large ocean-floor dwelling crabs collected from deep waters off the east coast of the United States, beluga whales ranging north of the far north coast of Alaska, salamanders from apparently ultra-pristine mountain streams of Tennessee, marine turtles floating cold-shocked off the northeastern U.S. coast, terrestrial turtles sampled from remote United States national forest mountain sites, and numerous similar species, and has never failed to detect residues of DDT in their bodies. 8,9 Results such as these suggest that DDT would generally be detectable in human tissues as well, which is in fact the case.…”