IN-VITRO EVALUATION OF A-5021 ANTI-VIRAL ACTIVITY AGAINST TESTUDINID HERPESVIRUS 3 AND INITIAL PHARMACOKINETIC STUDY IN HERMANN'S TORTOISE (Testudo hermanni)

Conference (2013, April 23)

Testudinid herpesvirus infections in tortoises belonging to the Testudinidae family are well known for decades, but their pathogenesis remains poorly understood and treatments are often empirical. This ... [more ▼]

Testudinid herpesvirus infections in tortoises belonging to the Testudinidae family are well known for decades, but their pathogenesis remains poorly understood and treatments are often empirical. This study describes the in vitro evaluation of selected anti-herpesvirus compounds against Testudinid Herpesvirus 3 (THV-3). A-5021, a compound with known broad-spectrum anti-herpetic activity, showed to be 9 times more potent than acyclovir, with an EC50 of 13.2 µM and inducing a complete inhibition of viral replication at 37.7 µM. Initial pharmacokinetic parameters were determined after a single sub-cutaneous administration of 5 and 10 mg/kg in Hermann’s tortoises (Testudo hermanni, n=3). Blood samples were collected at different time points and plasma concentrations of A-5021 were determined. No adverse effects were clinically observed and plasma concentrations remained above the EC50 for 2.8 and 4.2 h after administration of 5 and 10 mg/kg, respectively. These preliminary data provide a basis for further proof-of-concept studies for a potential prophylactic or therapeutic treatment of THV-3 infection in tortoises [less ▲]

Pneumonia with Aeromonas sobria in a Carpet Python

Conference (2011, August 11)

Aeromonas sobria was isolated and identified upon post-mortem examination from the respiratory tract and the blood of a carpet python (Morelia spilota variegata). The snake was referred to the Faculty of ... [more ▼]

Aeromonas sobria was isolated and identified upon post-mortem examination from the respiratory tract and the blood of a carpet python (Morelia spilota variegata). The snake was referred to the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine of Liège for necropsy, just the day after it suddenly died without previous clinical sign. Lung and liver biopsies were performed and fixed in neutral buffered 10% formalin and paraffin embedded. Blood samples were collected via cardiocentesis, and air sac abscesses were cultured. Bacterial strains were identified as Aeromonas sobria by 16S rDNA sequencing. Based on histological and bacterial examinations, the death of this snake was attributed to a septicemia, following an acute primary, or secondary exudative pneumonia. Aeromonas sp. is established as a potential pathogen in reptiles. Among this genus, Aeromonas hydrophila is the most frequently isolated. A. sobria has been reported as a primary pathogen in farmed perch (Perca fluviatilis) and humans. Conversely, few data are available concerning the pathogenicity of A. sobria in reptiles. Other non-bacterial agents (virus, fungus, endoparasites) or predisposing factors (such as obesity) can also be responsible for respiratory tract disease in snakes . Unfortunately, in the current case, virological investigations were not performed. [less ▲]

Radiography and computed tomography of snake's lungs

Poster (2010)