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5 April 2019 DETECTION OF MYCOPLASMA SP. IN INDOCHINESE BOX TURTLES (CUORA BOURRETI)
Peter M. DiGeronimo, Colin Hansen, La'Toya V. Latney, Laura A. Adamovicz, Matthew C. Allender
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Abstract

Mycoplasma species are important pathogens of captive and free-ranging chelonians. Bourret's box turtle (Cuora bourreti) is a critically endangered species of Indochinese box turtle in the family Geoemydidae. Four privately owned wild-caught Bourret's box turtles were presented for clinical evaluation for anorexia and lethargy following shipment from a reptile wholesaler 3 wk prior. Choanal-cloacal swabs of two of the turtles were positive for Mycoplasma sp. by polymerase chain reaction. Sequencing of the 16S rRNA gene and 16S-23S rRNA intergenic spacer was 99% homologous to an unclassified Mycoplasma sp. previously documented in free-ranging and captive North American species of the family Emydidae. The potential of Mycoplasma sp. to induce disease in Bourret's box turtles is unknown. Global trade in live reptiles is believed to have facilitated this potential expansion of host range.

Copyright 2019 by American Association of Zoo Veterinarians
Peter M. DiGeronimo, Colin Hansen, La'Toya V. Latney, Laura A. Adamovicz, and Matthew C. Allender "DETECTION OF MYCOPLASMA SP. IN INDOCHINESE BOX TURTLES (CUORA BOURRETI)," Journal of Zoo and Wildlife Medicine 50(1), 254-257, (5 April 2019). https://doi.org/10.1638/2018-0091
Accepted: 13 November 2018; Published: 5 April 2019
KEYWORDS
Bourret's box turtle
Cuora bourreti
Emydidae
Geoemydidae
Indochinese box turtle
Mycoplasma sp
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