@article{2669a613946f4c7180531ee1d77f6a69,
title = "Shell Lesions Associated With Emydomyces testavorans Infection in Freshwater Aquatic Turtles",
abstract = "A newly described onygenalean fungus, Emydomyces testavorans, has been isolated from ulcerative shell and skin lesions of freshwater aquatic chelonians. To investigate the shell lesions associated with infection and determine if any lesional features were unique to E. testavorans, tissues from turtles housed in zoological institutions (n = 45) in the United States and free-living turtles (n = 5) submitted for diagnostic biopsy or necropsy were examined. Free-living turtles were from geographically distinct habitats in Florida (n = 1) and Washington (n = 4) at the time of sampling. Histologic shell sections were evaluated for the presence or absence of specific lesional features. Infection with E. testavorans was evaluated in all cases by screening GMS (Grocott-Gomori{\textquoteright}s methenamine silver)-stained histologic sections for the presence of morphologically consistent fungi and by quantitative PCR (polymerase chain reaction) on representative frozen tissue or formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded sections. Additionally, culture was performed for 15 cases with available fresh/frozen tissue. In total, there were 17 PCR-confirmed E. testavorans cases, 29 cases with morphologically consistent fungi on GMS-stained sections, and 21 cases of shell lesions without histologic or molecular evidence of E. testavorans infection. Epithelial inclusion cysts, defined as cystic structures within the dermis lined by keratinized stratified squamous epithelium and containing necrotic bone and keratin debris, were significantly (P <.01) associated with E. testavorans infection. Other significantly associated shell lesions included squamous metaplasia, hyperkeratosis, inflammation, and osteonecrosis (P <.05). This study identified characteristic shell lesions associated with E. testavorans infection. Further studies to prove causality are needed.",
keywords = "Emydomyces testavorans, epithelial inclusion cyst, metaplasia, onygenales, osteonecrosis, shell, turtles",
author = "Woodburn, {Daniel B.} and Kinsel, {Michael J.} and Poll, {Caryn P.} and Langan, {Jennifer N.} and Katherine Haman and Gamble, {Kathryn C.} and Carol Maddox and Jeon, {Albert B.} and Wellehan, {James F.X.} and Ossiboff, {Robert J.} and Allender, {Matthew C.} and Terio, {Karen A.}",
note = "Funding Information: We thank the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW), John G. Shedd Aquarium, Chicago Zoological Society{\textquoteright}s Brookfield Zoo, Lincoln Park Zoo, South Florida Wildlife Center, and Cedar Key Nature Coast Biological Station for providing source biomaterials used in this study. We thank WDFW Biologists Stefanie Bergh, Carly Wickman, Emily Butler, Brian Murphie and WDFW Herpetologist Lisa Hallock. We thank the pathologists and residents of the University of Illinois Zoological Pathology Program for diagnostic assistance with these cases and the Histology Laboratory of the University of Illinois Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory and the University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine for excellent technical assistance. We thank Anne Kimmerlein and Gretchen Anchor for assistance with the statistical analysis. Financial support for portions of this study was generously provided by the Morris Animal Foundation through a Fellowship Training Grant (D16ZO-414). This study has not been reviewed or endorsed by the Foundation, and the views expressed in such publication or presentation do not necessarily reflect the views of the Foundation, its officers, directors, affiliates or agents. Funding Information: The author(s) disclosed receipt of the following financial support for the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article: Financial support for portions of this study was generously provided by the Morris Animal Foundation through a Fellowship Training Grant (D16ZO-414). Publisher Copyright: {\textcopyright} The Author(s) 2021. Copyright: Copyright 2021 Elsevier B.V., All rights reserved.",
year = "2021",
month = may,
doi = "10.1177/0300985820985217",
language = "English (US)",
volume = "58",
pages = "578--586",
journal = "Veterinary Pathology",
issn = "0300-9858",
publisher = "SAGE Publications Ltd",
number = "3",
}