Fatal spirorchiidosis in European pond turtles (Emys orbicularis) in Switzerland
Infections with intravascular digenean trematodes of the Spirorchiidae family (spirorchiidoses) are of great conservation concern both in marine and freshwater turtles due to their pathogenic potential. Between 2014 and 2021, Spirorchis sp. infections associated with granulomatous inflammation and s...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Elsevier
2022-04-01
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| Series: | International Journal for Parasitology: Parasites and Wildlife |
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| Online Access: | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2213224422000049 |
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| author | Katja Schönbächler Philipp Olias Olivia K. Richard Francesco C. Origgi Eva Dervas Stefan Hoby Walter Basso Inês Berenguer Veiga |
| author_facet | Katja Schönbächler Philipp Olias Olivia K. Richard Francesco C. Origgi Eva Dervas Stefan Hoby Walter Basso Inês Berenguer Veiga |
| author_sort | Katja Schönbächler |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Infections with intravascular digenean trematodes of the Spirorchiidae family (spirorchiidoses) are of great conservation concern both in marine and freshwater turtles due to their pathogenic potential. Between 2014 and 2021, Spirorchis sp. infections associated with granulomatous inflammation and sudden death were detected in European pond turtles (Emys orbicularis) from three conservation breeding facilities in Switzerland. Blood fluke eggs associated with lesions were found in the intestine, spleen, testis, skeletal musculature, heart, kidneys, stomach, pancreas, liver, lung, and meninges from nine pond turtles submitted for necropsy and in the intestinal content from five of these animals. Two novel polymerase chain reactions (PCRs) targeting the 28S ribosomal RNA gene and the ITS2 region and subsequent sequencing revealed 100% nucleotide identity with a Spirorchis sp. previously isolated from an Escambia map turtle (Graptemys ernsti) in the USA. Our findings suggest a spill-over event secondary to direct or indirect contact with invasive North American turtle species in Switzerland. We describe the clinical, haematological, ultrasonographical, endoscopical, parasitological, pathological, and molecular findings associated with spirorchiid blood fluke infections of the Spirorchis genus in E. orbicularis, as well as the biosecurity measures that were developed to prevent the spread of this parasite among breeding and highly endangered free-ranging E. orbicularis populations in Switzerland. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-14T05:56:45Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-e9e1ad639fee4b9894a50e6d5007dd94 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2213-2244 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-14T05:56:45Z |
| publishDate | 2022-04-01 |
| publisher | Elsevier |
| record_format | Article |
| series | International Journal for Parasitology: Parasites and Wildlife |
| spelling | doaj.art-e9e1ad639fee4b9894a50e6d5007dd942022-12-21T23:14:33ZengElsevierInternational Journal for Parasitology: Parasites and Wildlife2213-22442022-04-0117144151Fatal spirorchiidosis in European pond turtles (Emys orbicularis) in SwitzerlandKatja Schönbächler0Philipp Olias1Olivia K. Richard2Francesco C. Origgi3Eva Dervas4Stefan Hoby5Walter Basso6Inês Berenguer Veiga7Berne Animal Park, Tierparkweg 1, 3005, Bern, SwitzerlandInstitute of Animal Pathology, Department of Infectious Diseases and Pathobiology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Länggassstrasse 122, 3012, Bern, SwitzerlandInstitute of Animal Pathology, Department of Infectious Diseases and Pathobiology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Länggassstrasse 122, 3012, Bern, SwitzerlandInstitute of Animal Pathology, Department of Infectious Diseases and Pathobiology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Länggassstrasse 122, 3012, Bern, SwitzerlandInstitute of Veterinary Pathology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 268, 8057, Zurich, SwitzerlandBerne Animal Park, Tierparkweg 1, 3005, Bern, SwitzerlandInstitute of Parasitology, Department of Infectious Diseases and Pathobiology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Länggassstrasse 122, 3012, Bern, Switzerland; Corresponding author.Institute of Animal Pathology, Department of Infectious Diseases and Pathobiology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Länggassstrasse 122, 3012, Bern, Switzerland; Corresponding author. Institute of Virology and Immunology/ Department of Infectious Diseases and Pathobiology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Länggassstrasse 122, 3012, Bern, Switzerland.Infections with intravascular digenean trematodes of the Spirorchiidae family (spirorchiidoses) are of great conservation concern both in marine and freshwater turtles due to their pathogenic potential. Between 2014 and 2021, Spirorchis sp. infections associated with granulomatous inflammation and sudden death were detected in European pond turtles (Emys orbicularis) from three conservation breeding facilities in Switzerland. Blood fluke eggs associated with lesions were found in the intestine, spleen, testis, skeletal musculature, heart, kidneys, stomach, pancreas, liver, lung, and meninges from nine pond turtles submitted for necropsy and in the intestinal content from five of these animals. Two novel polymerase chain reactions (PCRs) targeting the 28S ribosomal RNA gene and the ITS2 region and subsequent sequencing revealed 100% nucleotide identity with a Spirorchis sp. previously isolated from an Escambia map turtle (Graptemys ernsti) in the USA. Our findings suggest a spill-over event secondary to direct or indirect contact with invasive North American turtle species in Switzerland. We describe the clinical, haematological, ultrasonographical, endoscopical, parasitological, pathological, and molecular findings associated with spirorchiid blood fluke infections of the Spirorchis genus in E. orbicularis, as well as the biosecurity measures that were developed to prevent the spread of this parasite among breeding and highly endangered free-ranging E. orbicularis populations in Switzerland.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2213224422000049SpirorchiidosisFreshwater turtleEmys orbicularisSpirorchis sp.ConservationInvasive species |
| spellingShingle | Katja Schönbächler Philipp Olias Olivia K. Richard Francesco C. Origgi Eva Dervas Stefan Hoby Walter Basso Inês Berenguer Veiga Fatal spirorchiidosis in European pond turtles (Emys orbicularis) in Switzerland International Journal for Parasitology: Parasites and Wildlife Spirorchiidosis Freshwater turtle Emys orbicularis Spirorchis sp. Conservation Invasive species |
| title | Fatal spirorchiidosis in European pond turtles (Emys orbicularis) in Switzerland |
| title_full | Fatal spirorchiidosis in European pond turtles (Emys orbicularis) in Switzerland |
| title_fullStr | Fatal spirorchiidosis in European pond turtles (Emys orbicularis) in Switzerland |
| title_full_unstemmed | Fatal spirorchiidosis in European pond turtles (Emys orbicularis) in Switzerland |
| title_short | Fatal spirorchiidosis in European pond turtles (Emys orbicularis) in Switzerland |
| title_sort | fatal spirorchiidosis in european pond turtles emys orbicularis in switzerland |
| topic | Spirorchiidosis Freshwater turtle Emys orbicularis Spirorchis sp. Conservation Invasive species |
| url | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2213224422000049 |
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