[Herpesvirus detection in clinically healthy West African mud turtles (Pelusioscastaneus)]. / Nachweis eines Herpesvirus bei klinisch gesunden Klappbrust-Pelomedusenschildkröten (Pelusios castaneus).

OBJECTIVE: First description of a herpesvirus in West African mud turtles. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A herpesvirus was detected in two clinically healthy West African mud turtles (Pelusios castaneus) by PCR during a quarantine exam. The animals had been imported from Togo, West Africa to Germany for the pet trade. RESULTS: Analysis of a portion of the genome of the detected virus showed that it is a previously unknown virus related to other chelonid herpesviruses. The virus was named pelomedusid herpesvirus 1. DISCUSSION: This case highlights the importance of testing for infectious agents during quarantine, even in clinically healthy animals.