Hellbenders (n=97) were collected from the Little and Hiwassee Rivers in eastern Tennessee, USA, during 2009 and 2010. Location and morphometrics for each animal were recorded, and nonlethal tissue samples were collected to estimate the prevalence of infection with Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd) and Ranavirus in each watershed and year. Real-time polymerase chain reaction was performed on skin swabs for Bd and on tail clips for ranaviruses. Overall prevalences of DNA of Bd, Ranavirus, and coinfections (i.e., detectable DNA of both pathogens in the same individual) were 26%, 19%, and 5%, respectively. Differences in infection prevalence were detected between watersheds and years. Gross lesions were observed in 31 animals (32%), but the types of lesions were not consistent with chytridiomycosis or ranaviral disease. This is the first report of infection of eastern hellbenders with Bd and Ranavirus. Despite infection by both pathogens, it is unclear whether chytridiomycosis or ranaviral disease develops in wild populations of hellbenders. More research is needed to determine the susceptibility of hellbenders to Bd and ranaviruses and their role in the epidemiology of these pathogens.
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CONSERVATION MEDICINE|
July 01 2012
PREVALENCE OF INFECTION BY BATRACHOCHYTRIUM DENDROBATIDIS AND RANAVIRUS IN EASTERN HELLBENDERS (CRYPTOBRANCHUS ALLEGANIENSIS ALLEGANIENSIS) IN EASTERN TENNESSEE
Marcy J. Souza;
Marcy J. Souza
4
1 Department of Biomedical and Diagnostic Sciences, University of Tennessee College of Veterinary Medicine, 2407 River Dr., Knoxville, Tennessee 37996, USA
4 Corresponding author (email: [email protected])
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Matthew J. Gray;
Matthew J. Gray
2 Center for Wildlife Health, Department of Forestry, Wildlife and Fisheries, University of Tennessee, 274 Ellington Plant Sciences Building, Knoxville, Tennessee 37996, USA
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Phillip Colclough;
Phillip Colclough
3 Knoxville Zoological Gardens, PO Box 6040, Knoxville, Tennessee, 37914, USA
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Debra L. Miller
Debra L. Miller
1 Department of Biomedical and Diagnostic Sciences, University of Tennessee College of Veterinary Medicine, 2407 River Dr., Knoxville, Tennessee 37996, USA
2 Center for Wildlife Health, Department of Forestry, Wildlife and Fisheries, University of Tennessee, 274 Ellington Plant Sciences Building, Knoxville, Tennessee 37996, USA
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J Wildl Dis (2012) 48 (3): 560–566.
Article history
Received:
October 04 2011
Accepted:
December 23 2011
Citation
Marcy J. Souza, Matthew J. Gray, Phillip Colclough, Debra L. Miller; PREVALENCE OF INFECTION BY BATRACHOCHYTRIUM DENDROBATIDIS AND RANAVIRUS IN EASTERN HELLBENDERS (CRYPTOBRANCHUS ALLEGANIENSIS ALLEGANIENSIS) IN EASTERN TENNESSEE. J Wildl Dis 1 July 2012; 48 (3): 560–566. doi: https://doi.org/10.7589/0090-3558-48.3.560
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