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Whilde J, Mashkour N, Koda SA, Eastman CB, Thompson D, Burkhalter B, Frandsen HR, Page A, Blackburn NB, Jones K, Ariel E, Dupont SM, Wood L, Duffy DJ. International overview of sea turtle fibropapillomatosis: a survey of expert opinions and trends. Front Cell Dev Biol 2024; 12:1445438. [PMID: 39239565 PMCID: PMC11374714 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2024.1445438] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2024] [Accepted: 08/08/2024] [Indexed: 09/07/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction Marine environments offer a wealth of opportunities to improve understanding and treatment options for cancers, through insights into a range of fields from drug discovery to mechanistic insights. By applying One Health principles the knowledge obtained can benefit both human and animal populations, including marine species suffering from cancer. One such species is green sea turtles (Chelonia mydas), which are under threat from fibropapillomatosis (FP), an epizootic tumor disease (animal epidemic) that continues to spread and increase in prevalence globally. In order to effectively address this epizootic, a more thorough understanding is required of the prevalence of the disease and the approaches to treating afflicted turtles. Methods To identify knowledge gaps and assess future needs, we conducted a survey of sea turtle FP experts. The survey consisted of 47 questions designed to assess general perceptions of FP, the areas where more information is needed, local FP trends, the disease status, and mitigation needs, and was voluntarily completed by 44 experts across a broad geographic range. Results Over 70% of respondents both recognized FP as a cancerous panzootic disease, and reported that FP is increasing in prevalence. They report several factors contributing to this increase. Nearly all of the respondents reported that FP research, patient treatment and rehabilitation required more funding in their area, and reported inadequate facilities and capacity for dealing with FP patients. Treatment approaches varied: just over 70% of the medical experts that responded surgically remove FP tumors, either using laser or scalpel. Just under half of respondents use anti-cancer drugs in their treatment of FP. Internal tumors were reported as justification for euthanasia by 61.5% of respondents, and 30.8% reported severe external tumors to be sufficient grounds for euthanasia. Most medical respondents (93.3%) routinely perform necropsy on deceased or euthanized FP-afflicted turtles. Over 80% of respondents considered large-scale multidisciplinary collaboration 'extremely important' for advancing the field of FP research. Discussion The survey responses provide a valuable insight into the current status of FP in sea turtles, FP treatment, rehabilitation and research, and help to identify critical FP-related areas most in need of attention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jenny Whilde
- Whitney Laboratory for Marine Bioscience and Sea Turtle Hospital, University of Florida, St Augustine, FL, United States
| | - Narges Mashkour
- Whitney Laboratory for Marine Bioscience and Sea Turtle Hospital, University of Florida, St Augustine, FL, United States
| | - Samantha A Koda
- Whitney Laboratory for Marine Bioscience and Sea Turtle Hospital, University of Florida, St Augustine, FL, United States
| | - Catherine B Eastman
- Whitney Laboratory for Marine Bioscience and Sea Turtle Hospital, University of Florida, St Augustine, FL, United States
| | - Drew Thompson
- Whitney Laboratory for Marine Bioscience and Sea Turtle Hospital, University of Florida, St Augustine, FL, United States
| | - Brooke Burkhalter
- Whitney Laboratory for Marine Bioscience and Sea Turtle Hospital, University of Florida, St Augustine, FL, United States
| | - Hilary R Frandsen
- National Park Service, Division of Sea Turtle Science and Recovery, Padre Island National Seashore, Corpus Christi, TX, United States
| | - Annie Page
- Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute, Florida Atlantic University, Fort Pierce, FL, United States
| | - Nicholas B Blackburn
- Menzies Institute for Medical Research, University of Tasmania, Hobart, TAS, Australia
| | - Karina Jones
- School of Veterinary Medicine, Murdoch University, Perth, WA, Australia
| | - Ellen Ariel
- College of Public Health, Medical and Veterinary Sciences, James Cook University, Townsville, QLD, Australia
| | - Sophie M Dupont
- BOREA Research Unit, Laboratoire de Biologie des Organismes et des Ecosystèmes Aquatiques, UMR 8067, MNHN, CNRS, SU, IRD 207, UCN, UA, Station de Recherche Marine de Martinique, Les Anses d'Arlet, France
- Littoral Environnement et Sociétés (LIENSs), UMR 7266, CNRS, La Rochelle Université, La Rochelle, France
| | - Lawrence Wood
- Florida Hawksbill Project, National Save The Sea Turtle Foundation, Ft. Lauderdale, FL, United States
| | - David J Duffy
- Whitney Laboratory for Marine Bioscience and Sea Turtle Hospital, University of Florida, St Augustine, FL, United States
- Department of Biology, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States
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da Cruz KPP, Gattamorta MA, Matushima ER, Salvarani FM. Fibropapillomatosis: A Review of the Disease with Attention to the Situation Northern Coast of Brazil. Animals (Basel) 2024; 14:1809. [PMID: 38929428 PMCID: PMC11200417 DOI: 10.3390/ani14121809] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2024] [Revised: 05/31/2024] [Accepted: 06/13/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Fibropapillomatosis in sea turtles is a potentially debilitating and fatal disease for which there is still a lack of knowledge, especially for specific regions of Brazil. The diagnosis is made through the observation of clinical manifestations, and despite its association with Chelonid Alphaherpesvirus 5 (ChHV5) as the etiological agent, the expression of the disease may also be related to immunological and environmental factors caused by anthropic degradation of the environment. Thus, this review aims to elucidate what is known about this disease globally, and especially in various regions of Brazil, promoting a better understanding of its evolution, spatiotemporal prevalence, and relationship with human activities. Furthermore, the review explores the molecular biology of ChHV5, including its genomic structure, replication cycle, and mechanisms of pathogenesis. The role of environmental factors, such as temperature and pollution, in modulating ChHV5 infection and FP development is also discussed. Additionally, the review summarizes current diagnostic methods for detecting ChHV5 infection in sea turtles, highlighting the importance of early detection and monitoring for effective disease management and conservation efforts. Finally, the review outlines future research directions aimed at improving our understanding of ChHV5 and developing strategies for FP control and prevention in sea turtle populations.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Eliana Reiko Matushima
- Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo 05508220, SP, Brazil;
| | - Felipe Masiero Salvarani
- Instituto de Medicina Veterinária, Universidade Federal do Pará, Castanhal 68740970, PA, Brazil;
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Guo Y, Chen H, Liu P, Wang F, Li L, Ye M, Zhao W, Chen J. Microbial composition of carapace, feces, and water column in captive juvenile green sea turtles with carapacial ulcers. Front Vet Sci 2022; 9:1039519. [PMID: 36590814 PMCID: PMC9797667 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2022.1039519] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2022] [Accepted: 12/01/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction Green sea turtles are endangered marine reptiles. Carapacial ulcers will develop on juvenile green sea turtles during artificial rescue, seriously affecting their health and potentially leading to death. Methods To determine the pathogens causing ulcerative carapacial disease, we performed 16S and ITS high-throughput sequencing, and microbial diversity analysis on samples from carapacial ulcers, healthy carapaces, feces, and seawater of juvenile green sea turtles. Results Our analysis showed that changes in microbial diversity of green sea turtle feces and seawater were not significantly associated with ulcerative carapacial disease. Discussion Psychrobacter sp. is the dominant species in the carapacial ulcers of green sea turtles. The bacterium is present in both healthy turtles and seawater where carapacial ulcers did not occur and decreasing seawater temperatures are likely responsible for the infection of juvenile green turtles with Psychrobacter sp. This is the first study on carapacial ulcers in captive juvenile green sea turtles. Our research provides theoretical guidance for the prevention and control of carapacial ulcers in captive juvenile green sea turtles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yide Guo
- College of Life Science and Technology, Harbin Normal University, Harbin, Heilongjiang, China,Guangdong Key Laboratory of Animal Conservation and Resource Utilization, Guangdong Public Laboratory of Wild Animal Conservation and Utilization, Institute of Zoology, Guangdong Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Hualing Chen
- Huidong Sea Turtle National Reserve Management Bureau, Sea Turtle Bay, Huidong, Guangdong, China
| | - Ping Liu
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Animal Conservation and Resource Utilization, Guangdong Public Laboratory of Wild Animal Conservation and Utilization, Institute of Zoology, Guangdong Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Fumin Wang
- Huidong Sea Turtle National Reserve Management Bureau, Sea Turtle Bay, Huidong, Guangdong, China
| | - Linmiao Li
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Animal Conservation and Resource Utilization, Guangdong Public Laboratory of Wild Animal Conservation and Utilization, Institute of Zoology, Guangdong Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Mingbin Ye
- Huidong Sea Turtle National Reserve Management Bureau, Sea Turtle Bay, Huidong, Guangdong, China
| | - Wenge Zhao
- College of Life Science and Technology, Harbin Normal University, Harbin, Heilongjiang, China,*Correspondence: Wenge Zhao
| | - Jinping Chen
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Animal Conservation and Resource Utilization, Guangdong Public Laboratory of Wild Animal Conservation and Utilization, Institute of Zoology, Guangdong Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China,Jinping Chen
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Affuso A, Di Palma C, Meomartino L, Pace A, Montagnaro S, Russo V, Mennonna G, Micieli F, Maffucci F, Hochscheid S, Lamagna F, D’Aquino I, Lamagna B. Symblepharon, Ankyloblepharon, and Salt Gland Dysfunction in a Loggerhead Sea Turtle (Caretta caretta). Vet Sci 2022; 9:vetsci9060281. [PMID: 35737333 PMCID: PMC9229700 DOI: 10.3390/vetsci9060281] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2022] [Revised: 05/30/2022] [Accepted: 06/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Adhesions involving the bulbar and the palpebral conjunctiva (Symblepharon) may interfere with tear drainage, cause chronic conjunctivitis, and reduce ocular motility. This condition may be associated with adhesion of the edges of the upper and lower eyelids (ankyloblepharon). The present case describes bilateral symblepharon, ankyloblepharon and salt gland dysfunction in a juvenile Caretta caretta. The loggerhead presented both eyelids swollen, ulcerated, and not separable when rescued. Eye examination was not possible, but ultrasonography showed right bulbar integrity, while the left eye was smaller, with a thicker cornea that had lost its normal doubled lined structure. Surgical dissection of the fibrous adhesions between the palpebral and bulbar conjunctiva, cornea, and third eyelid was performed, and large dacryoliths were removed. The microscopic findings were consistent with chronic keratoconjunctivitis. Ultrastructurally, no virus-like particles were observed. In addition, tissue samples were negative for herpesvirus by qualitative PCR. The eyelids of both eyes and the corneal epithelium of the right eye healed; moreover, the vision was restored in the right eye. There were no recurrences after 12 months of follow-up, and the turtle was released 16 months after the end of treatments on the southern Tyrrhenian coast in the western Mediterranean Sea. To the authors’ knowledge, this is the first report of symblepharon with ankyloblepharon and salt gland dysfunction in Caretta caretta turtle. Ocular ultrasonography was helpful in the preliminary diagnostic work-up.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Affuso
- Marine Turtle Research Group, Department of Marine Animal Conservation and Public Engagement, Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, 80055 Portici, Italy; (A.A.); (A.P.); (F.M.); (S.H.)
| | - Cristina Di Palma
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Production, University of Naples “Federico II”, 80137 Naples, Italy; (S.M.); (V.R.); (F.M.); (F.L.); (I.D.); b (B.L.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-081-2536025; Fax: +39-081-2536021
| | - Leonardo Meomartino
- Interdepartmental Radiology Centre, University of Naples “Federico II”, 80137 Naples, Italy; (L.M.); (G.M.)
| | - Antonino Pace
- Marine Turtle Research Group, Department of Marine Animal Conservation and Public Engagement, Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, 80055 Portici, Italy; (A.A.); (A.P.); (F.M.); (S.H.)
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Production, University of Naples “Federico II”, 80137 Naples, Italy; (S.M.); (V.R.); (F.M.); (F.L.); (I.D.); b (B.L.)
| | - Serena Montagnaro
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Production, University of Naples “Federico II”, 80137 Naples, Italy; (S.M.); (V.R.); (F.M.); (F.L.); (I.D.); b (B.L.)
| | - Valeria Russo
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Production, University of Naples “Federico II”, 80137 Naples, Italy; (S.M.); (V.R.); (F.M.); (F.L.); (I.D.); b (B.L.)
| | - Giuseppina Mennonna
- Interdepartmental Radiology Centre, University of Naples “Federico II”, 80137 Naples, Italy; (L.M.); (G.M.)
| | - Fabiana Micieli
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Production, University of Naples “Federico II”, 80137 Naples, Italy; (S.M.); (V.R.); (F.M.); (F.L.); (I.D.); b (B.L.)
| | - Fulvio Maffucci
- Marine Turtle Research Group, Department of Marine Animal Conservation and Public Engagement, Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, 80055 Portici, Italy; (A.A.); (A.P.); (F.M.); (S.H.)
| | - Sandra Hochscheid
- Marine Turtle Research Group, Department of Marine Animal Conservation and Public Engagement, Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, 80055 Portici, Italy; (A.A.); (A.P.); (F.M.); (S.H.)
| | - Francesco Lamagna
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Production, University of Naples “Federico II”, 80137 Naples, Italy; (S.M.); (V.R.); (F.M.); (F.L.); (I.D.); b (B.L.)
| | - Ilaria D’Aquino
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Production, University of Naples “Federico II”, 80137 Naples, Italy; (S.M.); (V.R.); (F.M.); (F.L.); (I.D.); b (B.L.)
| | - Barbara Lamagna
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Production, University of Naples “Federico II”, 80137 Naples, Italy; (S.M.); (V.R.); (F.M.); (F.L.); (I.D.); b (B.L.)
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Yetsko K, Farrell JA, Blackburn NB, Whitmore L, Stammnitz MR, Whilde J, Eastman CB, Ramia DR, Thomas R, Krstic A, Linser P, Creer S, Carvalho G, Devlin MA, Nahvi N, Leandro AC, deMaar TW, Burkhalter B, Murchison EP, Schnitzler C, Duffy DJ. Molecular characterization of a marine turtle tumor epizootic, profiling external, internal and postsurgical regrowth tumors. Commun Biol 2021; 4:152. [PMID: 33526843 PMCID: PMC7851172 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-021-01656-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2020] [Accepted: 12/31/2020] [Indexed: 01/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Sea turtle populations are under threat from an epizootic tumor disease (animal epidemic) known as fibropapillomatosis. Fibropapillomatosis continues to spread geographically, with prevalence of the disease also growing at many longer-affected sites globally. However, we do not yet understand the precise environmental, mutational and viral events driving fibropapillomatosis tumor formation and progression.Here we perform transcriptomic and immunohistochemical profiling of five fibropapillomatosis tumor types: external new, established and postsurgical regrowth tumors, and internal lung and kidney tumors. We reveal that internal tumors are molecularly distinct from the more common external tumors. However, they have a small number of conserved potentially therapeutically targetable molecular vulnerabilities in common, such as the MAPK, Wnt, TGFβ and TNF oncogenic signaling pathways. These conserved oncogenic drivers recapitulate remarkably well the core pan-cancer drivers responsible for human cancers. Fibropapillomatosis has been considered benign, but metastatic-related transcriptional signatures are strongly activated in kidney and established external tumors. Tumors in turtles with poor outcomes (died/euthanized) have genes associated with apoptosis and immune function suppressed, with these genes providing putative predictive biomarkers.Together, these results offer an improved understanding of fibropapillomatosis tumorigenesis and provide insights into the origins, inter-tumor relationships, and therapeutic treatment for this wildlife epizootic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kelsey Yetsko
- The Whitney Laboratory for Marine Bioscience and Sea Turtle Hospital, University of Florida, St. Augustine, FL, 32080, USA
| | - Jessica A Farrell
- The Whitney Laboratory for Marine Bioscience and Sea Turtle Hospital, University of Florida, St. Augustine, FL, 32080, USA
- Department of Biology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, 32611, USA
| | - Nicholas B Blackburn
- Department of Human Genetics, School of Medicine, University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, Brownsville, TX, USA
- South Texas Diabetes and Obesity Institute, School of Medicine, University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, Brownsville, TX, USA
- Menzies Institute for Medical Research, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia
| | - Liam Whitmore
- The Whitney Laboratory for Marine Bioscience and Sea Turtle Hospital, University of Florida, St. Augustine, FL, 32080, USA
- Department of Biological Sciences, School of Natural Sciences, Faculty of Science and Engineering, University of Limerick, Limerick, Ireland
| | - Maximilian R Stammnitz
- Transmissible Cancer Group, Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB3 0ES, UK
| | - Jenny Whilde
- The Whitney Laboratory for Marine Bioscience and Sea Turtle Hospital, University of Florida, St. Augustine, FL, 32080, USA
| | - Catherine B Eastman
- The Whitney Laboratory for Marine Bioscience and Sea Turtle Hospital, University of Florida, St. Augustine, FL, 32080, USA
| | - Devon Rollinson Ramia
- The Whitney Laboratory for Marine Bioscience and Sea Turtle Hospital, University of Florida, St. Augustine, FL, 32080, USA
| | - Rachel Thomas
- The Whitney Laboratory for Marine Bioscience and Sea Turtle Hospital, University of Florida, St. Augustine, FL, 32080, USA
| | - Aleksandar Krstic
- Systems Biology Ireland & Precision Oncology Ireland, School of Medicine, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin, 4, Ireland
| | - Paul Linser
- The Whitney Laboratory for Marine Bioscience and Sea Turtle Hospital, University of Florida, St. Augustine, FL, 32080, USA
| | - Simon Creer
- Molecular Ecology and Fisheries Genetics Laboratory, School of Biological Sciences, Bangor University, Bangor, Gwynedd, LL57 2UW, UK
| | - Gary Carvalho
- Molecular Ecology and Fisheries Genetics Laboratory, School of Biological Sciences, Bangor University, Bangor, Gwynedd, LL57 2UW, UK
| | | | - Nina Nahvi
- Sea Turtle Inc., South Padre Island, TX, USA
| | - Ana Cristina Leandro
- Department of Human Genetics, School of Medicine, University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, Brownsville, TX, USA
- South Texas Diabetes and Obesity Institute, School of Medicine, University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, Brownsville, TX, USA
| | | | - Brooke Burkhalter
- The Whitney Laboratory for Marine Bioscience and Sea Turtle Hospital, University of Florida, St. Augustine, FL, 32080, USA
| | - Elizabeth P Murchison
- Transmissible Cancer Group, Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB3 0ES, UK
| | - Christine Schnitzler
- The Whitney Laboratory for Marine Bioscience and Sea Turtle Hospital, University of Florida, St. Augustine, FL, 32080, USA
- Department of Biology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, 32611, USA
| | - David J Duffy
- The Whitney Laboratory for Marine Bioscience and Sea Turtle Hospital, University of Florida, St. Augustine, FL, 32080, USA.
- Department of Biology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, 32611, USA.
- Department of Biological Sciences, School of Natural Sciences, Faculty of Science and Engineering, University of Limerick, Limerick, Ireland.
- Systems Biology Ireland & Precision Oncology Ireland, School of Medicine, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin, 4, Ireland.
- Molecular Ecology and Fisheries Genetics Laboratory, School of Biological Sciences, Bangor University, Bangor, Gwynedd, LL57 2UW, UK.
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