Molecular epidemiology and pathology of spirorchiid infection in green sea turtles (Chelonia mydas).

ABSTRACT: Spirorchiid blood fluke infections affect endangered turtle populations globally, and are reported as a common cause of mortality in Queensland green sea turtles. Both the flukes and their ova are pathogenic and can contribute to the stranding or death of their host. Of particular interest are ova-associated brain lesions, which have been associated with host neurological deficits. Accurate estimations of disease frequency and the relative effect of infection relating to different spirorchiid species are made difficult by challenges in morphological identification of adults of some genera, and a lack of species-level identifying features for ova. A new specifically designed molecular assay was used to detect and identify cryptic spirorchiids and their ova in Queensland green sea turtle tis

SUBMITTER: Chapman PA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5345959 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature