Papilloma-like virus infection in Bolivian side-neck turtles

Abstract

Five Bolivian side-neck turtles had multifocal small, round to confluent, white skin lesions distributed over the head. Several gram-negative microorganisms were isolated from the lesions. Light microscopy revealed hyperkeratosis and hyperplasia of the epidermis. Ultrastructural evaluation demonstrated crystalline aggregates of virus particles within nuclei of cells in the stratum granulosum and free within the stratum corneum. On the basis of size, location, arrangement, and tissue affected, the particles resembled papillomaviruses.