PLASMA TRACE ELEMENTS IN MANAGED HUMBOLDT PENGUINS () FROM A SINGLE ZOOLOGICAL COLLECTION IN GERMANY.

Only limited data on concentrations of trace elements in the blood of avian species have been published. This information can play an important role in the conservation of endangered species and their protection from environmental pollutants and can also be clinically relevant in managed individuals. Some elements are essential for the health of the animals in human care, but little is known about expected concentrations for some of these elements.

Trace Elements in Hermann's Tortoises () According to Sex, Season, and Sampling Region in Central Europe.

Some trace elements are essential for the health of vertebrates, but little is known about their function, the amounts required, and the factors influencing their metabolism in tortoises. The aim of this study was therefore to measure trace elements (chromium (Cr), cobalt (Co), copper (Cu), iron (Fe), magnesium (Mg), manganese (Mn), molybdenum (Mo), selenium (Se), zinc (Zn)) in heparinized blood plasma of Hermann's tortoises () ( = 520) from March to September 2022 using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) and to establish specific reference intervals. Additionally, the influence of sex, season, and region of sample collection on the measured values were evaluated.

Capillary Zone Electrophoresis in Humboldt Penguins ().

Electrophoresis is a useful diagnostic tool for detecting inflammation, including inflammation associated with infectious diseases (eg, aspergillosis in penguins). To our knowledge, reference intervals are not available for plasma proteins via electrophoresis in Humboldt penguins (). Therefore, preliminary reference intervals for blood plasma proteins measured by capillary zone electrophoresis were calculated for Humboldt penguins from a single zoological collection, and possible differences between the sexes and the ages of the birds were evaluated.

Clinical Chemistry and Haematology Values of a Captive Population of Humboldt Penguins ().

Reference intervals for clinical chemistry and haematology analytes are essential for the interpretation of blood results, but limited data are available for Humboldt penguins () in zoological collections as well as in the wild. The aim of the present study was therefore to establish reference intervals for a series of clinical chemistry and haematology analytes in a single zoological population of Humboldt penguins. Furthermore, possible variations of the analytes influenced by the age and sex of the individuals were investigated.

in reptiles: a review of occurrence, interactions, shedding and risk factors for human infections.

are considered a part of the normal reptile gut microbiota, but have also been associated with disease in reptiles. Reptile-associated salmonellosis (RAS) can pose a serious health threat to humans, especially children, and an estimated 6% of human sporadic salmonellosis cases have been attributed to direct or indirect contact with reptiles, although the exact number is not known. Two literature searches were conducted for this review.

The Role of Host Species in Experimental Ferlavirus Infection: Comparison of a Single Strain in Ball Pythons () and Corn Snakes ().

Ferlaviruses are a cause of respiratory disease in snakes. Four genogroups (A, B, C, and tortoise) have been described. Disease development is believed to depend on virus, host, and environment-specific factors.

Comparison of Plasma Trace Elements Between 2 Captive Humboldt Penguin () Populations.

Environmental pollutants and their effect on wildlife health play an important role in the conservation of endangered species and can be clinically relevant in captive animals too. Data on relevant concentrations of trace elements in captive birds with no known exposures are rare. For this study, silver, arsenic, gold, barium, cadmium, cobalt, chromium, copper, iron, mercury, magnesium, manganese, molybdenum, thallium, selenium, and zinc were measured by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry in lithium heparinized plasma samples from 18 Humboldt penguins at 2 zoological collections in Germany.

Establishment of a Real-Time PCR Assay for the Detection of in Lizards.

(1) Background: () is a potential cause of dermatitis and cheilitis in lizards. The aim of this study was to establish a real-time PCR assay for the detection of . (2) Methods: Primers and probe were selected targeting the 16S rRNA gene, using sequences of 16S rRNA genes of as well as of other bacterial species derived from GenBank.

Genetic diversity among reptilian orthoreoviruses isolated from pet snakes and lizards.

Reovirus infections in reptiles are frequently detected and associated with various clinical diseases; yet, our knowledge about their genetic diversity and evolutionary relationships remains limited. In this study, we characterize at the genomic level five reptile origin orthoreovirus strains isolated from exotic snakes and lizards in Hungary and Germany. The genomic organization of the study strains was similar to that of the representative strains of reptile origin reoviruses belonging to species and .

Detection of nidoviruses in samples collected from captive snakes in Europe between 2016 and 2021.

Background: Nidoviruses are increasingly detected in various snake species worldwide, but much remains to be learned about their distribution and the factors influencing their epidemiology.

Methods: This retrospective study evaluated the results of routine nidovirus testing, by PCR, of 5210 swab samples from pet snakes from various European countries that were submitted to a commercial veterinary laboratory in Germany between 2016 and 2021.

Results: The overall detection rate was 19.

Infectious disease threats to amphibians in Greece: new localities positive for Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis.

In the early 2000s, numerous cases of European amphibian population declines and mass die-offs started to emerge. Investigating those events led to the discovery that wild European amphibians were confronted with grave disease threats caused by introduced pathogens, namely the amphibian and the salamander chytrid fungi Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd) and B. salamandrivorans (Bsal) and ranaviruses.

PLASMA VITAMIN AND MINERAL CONCENTRATIONS IN CAPTIVE GREATER FLAMINGOS () AS INFLUENCED BY DIET CHANGE.

The greater flamingo () is often maintained in managed care. Although values for plasma concentrations of minerals and vitamins have been published for this species, limited studies investigate the effects of diet changes on these values. Plasma concentrations of selected vitamins (A [and the provitamin A carotenoid β-carotene] and E), minerals (Ca, Cu, Fe, K, Mg, Mn, Na, inorganic P, Se, and Zn), and total protein (TP) were measured in a zoo collection of greater flamingos in November 2018 (n = 48) and in November 2019 (n = 52), 30 d after a change from the summer diet, which was the same in both years, to different winter diets.

Antibodies against Two Testudinid Herpesviruses in Pet Tortoises in Europe.

Herpesviruses are important pathogens of tortoises, and several serologically and genetically distinct virus types have been described in these animals. Virus neutralization testing is commonly used in Europe to determine previous infection with the two types most often found in pet European tortoises, testudinid herpesvirus (TeHV) 1 and 3. In this retrospective study, the results of serological testing for antibodies against each of these viruses in serum or plasma samples from 1728 tortoises were evaluated, and antibody detection rates were compared based on virus type, host species, year, season, and country of origin.

COMPARISON OF CLINICAL CHEMISTRY ANALYTES IN GREATER FLAMINGOS () AND AMERICAN FLAMINGOS () IN A ZOO IN EUROPE.

Reference intervals for clinical chemistry analytes are important for the interpretation of blood results, but reference intervals available in journal articles for specific flamingo collections are often based on a small number of individuals or are only available for a limited number of analytes. Differences in husbandry and nutritional conditions may impact reference intervals. The goal of this study was to establish reference intervals from a mixed population of greater () and American () flamingos when husbandry parameters are equal and to compare the results between the different species, sexes, and age groups in order to evaluate differences between these factors.

DETECTION OF MYCOPLASMA AND CHLAMYDIA IN PYTHONS WITH AND WITHOUT SERPENTOVIRUS INFECTION.

Serpentoviruses (order ) are an important cause of respiratory disease in snakes. Although transmission studies have shown that serpentoviruses can cause respiratory disease in pythons, the possible role of additional potential pathogens is not yet understood. Very little information is available on the role of mycoplasma and chlamydia infections in disease in pythons.

A testudinid herpesvirus 1 (TeHV1)-associated disease outbreak in a group of Horsfield's tortoises (Testudo horsfieldii).

In spring 2020, a severe disease outbreak with high morbidity and mortality was observed in a collection of 15 Horsfield's tortoises (). Affected tortoises showed upper respiratory- and gastrointestinal tract signs, including rhinitis and stomatitis. Testudinid herpesvirus 1 (TeHV1) and spp.

Herpesviruses in Captive Chelonians in Europe Between 2016 and 2020.

Herpesviruses are important pathogens in tortoises and turtles, yet little is known about the epidemiology of these viruses. We analyzed herpesviruses detected by PCR in samples from captive chelonians in Europe according to virus strain, host species, year and season in which the animal was tested, and country in which the animal was kept. A total of 4,797 samples submitted to a diagnostic laboratory in Europe between January 2016 and December 2020 were evaluated.

Two Novel Adenoviruses in Free-Living British lizards.

In this study, we describe two novel adenoviruses isolated from (i) a common lizard (Zootoca vivipara) found dead and examined post-mortem and (ii) pooled samples from free-living sand lizards (Lacerta agilis agilis). Sequencing indicated the two were closely related atadenovirus strains which were distinct from previously recorded adenoviruses in lizards. Adenoviruses are not always associated with disease in squamates, but morbidity and mortality have been reported.

Variation in mineral types of uroliths from ferrets () submitted for analysis in North America, Europe, or Asia over an 8-year period.

Objective: To compare mineral types of naturally occurring uroliths in ferrets () from North America, Europe, and Asia and to identify potential risk factors associated with cystine urolithiasis in ferrets.

Samples: 1,054 laboratory submission records of uroliths obtained from ferrets between January 1, 2010, and December 31, 2018.

Procedures: For this cross-sectional study, the medical records databases at 4 diagnostic laboratories were searched for records of submissions of uroliths obtained from ferrets.

Comparison of Capillary Zone Electrophoresis in Greater Flamingos () and American Flamingos ().

Electrophoresis can be used to aid in the diagnosis of infectious diseases (eg, aspergillosis) in avian species. Reference intervals for blood plasma proteins of 2 different flamingo species ( and ) and their hybrids were calculated by capillary zone electrophoresis (CZE) and differences between these species, sexes, and age groups were evaluated. Lithium-heparinized plasma samples from 111 animals from a zoological collection were analyzed by CZE and statistically evaluated.

A NOVEL IGUANID HERPESVIRUS DETECTED IN ASYMPTOMATIC GREEN IGUANAS () IN POLAND.

While herpesviruses are well-known pathogens in a wide variety of chelonian species, they have only sporadically been documented in squamate reptiles. Those that have been described have most often been associated with hepatic disease and oral lesions. During a study on infectious disease in pet reptiles in Poland, herpesviruses were detected in swabs from three green iguanas () from two different owners that were presented to two different veterinary clinics in Warsaw.

Diagnostics of Infectious Respiratory Pathogens in Reptiles.

Methods for the detection of pathogens associated with respiratory disease in reptiles, including viruses, bacteria, fungi, and parasites, are constantly evolving as is the understanding of the specific roles played by various pathogens in disease processes. Some are known to be primary pathogens with high prevalence in captive reptiles, for example, serpentoviruses in pythons or mycoplasma in tortoises. Others are very commonly found in reptiles with respiratory disease but are most often considered secondary, for example, gram-negative bacteria.

DETECTION OF TESTADENOVIRUSES AND ATADENOVIRUSES IN TORTOISES AND TURTLES IN EUROPE.

Adenoviruses have been regularly detected in squamate reptiles; evidence of infection in chelonians is described much less frequently. The adenoviruses found in turtles and tortoises have been genetically diverse, and have included members of the genus , a proposed testadenovirus genus, and, in a single case, an . In this study, samples from 949 chelonians submitted to a diagnostic laboratory were screened for the presence of adenoviruses by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) targeting a portion of the DNA polymerase gene.

Cheilitis Associated with a Novel Herpesvirus in Two Panther Chameleons (Furcifer pardalis).

Intracellular epidermal inclusions were detected within histological sections of skin biopsies from two panther chameleons (Furcifer pardalis) with chronic cheilitis. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) confirmed the abundant presence of icosahedral intracytoplasmic and intranuclear viral particles in infected keratinocytes, with an average diameter of 120-125 nm, consistent with herpesviruses (HVs). TEM also revealed the presence of virions in intercellular spaces and keratinocyte nuclei and features suggestive of capsid assembly, nuclear egress with primary envelopment and anterograde transport leading to virion assembly and release.