Turtle fraservirus

Test code: S0251 - Ultrasensitive qualitative detection of turtle fraservirus by reverse transcription coupled real time PCR

Turtle fraservirus 1 (TFV-1) was recently isolated from wild freshwater turtles in Florida (Waltzek et al., 2022). This virus is a negative-sense RNA virus composed of two RNA segments, the L segment and the S segment. A new family, Tosoviridae, has been proposed for this virus to commemorate the discovery of the virus in the Tosohatchee Wildlife Management Area.

This virus has been confirmed to be able to infect Florida softshell turtles, as well as Florida’s cooter species (genus Pseudemys), eastern snapping turtles (Chelydra serpentina), and red-eared sliders (Trachemys scripta elegans). Infected turtles show weakness, lethargy, and swollen, closed or sunken eyelids. There is discharge from the nose, eyes and discoloration of the shell. Occasionally, infected turtles show difficulty in breathing, reluctance to flee and irregular swimming. Many infected turtles also develop secondary microbial infections and vascular injury from spirochiidiasis. Currently the transmission route is not clear.

Culture detection of the virus is not specific and not sensitive. Diagnosis of this viral infection is more effective using molecular detection of the virus by PCR.

Utilities:

• Help confirm the disease causing agent
• Identify carriers of this virus
• Help ensure that animal colonies and wild populations are free of this virus
• Early prevention of spread of this virus among animals
• Minimize human exposure to the virus
• Safety monitoring of biological products that derive from animals

References:
Waltzek, T.B. et al. A novel group of negative-sense RNA viruses associated with epizootics in managed and free-ranging freshwater turtles in Florida, USA. PLOS Pathogens, March 11, 2022.

https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.ppat.1010258

Specimen requirements: Nasal swab, or eye swab, or cloacal swab, or oropharyngeal swab, or 0.2 ml fresh or frozen tissue, or 0.2 ml cell culture.

Contact Zoologix if advice is needed to determine an appropriate specimen type for a specific diagnostic application. For specimen types not listed here, please contact Zoologix to confirm specimen acceptability and shipping instructions.

For all specimen types, if there will be a delay in shipping, or during very warm weather, refrigerate specimens until shipped and ship with a cold pack unless more stringent shipping requirements are specified. Frozen specimens should be shipped so as to remain frozen in transit. See shipping instructions for more information.

Turnaround time: 2 business days

Methodology: Qualitative reverse transcription coupled real time PCR

Normal range: Nondetected