INTRANUCLEAR COCCIDIOSIS IN RADIATED TORTOISES (GEOCHELONE RADIATA)

Two juvenile radiated tortoises, Geochelone radiata, maintained in an outdoor enclosure in north-central Florida with four other radiated to rtoises, were examined because of anorexia and lethargy. Hematologic a nd plasma biochemical evaluations indicated a mild to severe anemia, e levated white blood cell counts, hyponatremia, hyperuricosemia, and hy perglycemia. Both tortoises were considered near death and were euthan ized. Histologic examination of multiple tissues revealed nephritis, h epatitis, enteritis, and pancreatitis. Light microscopic examination r evealed an intranuclear protozoan in renal epithelial cells, hepatocyt es, pancreatic acinar cells, and duodenal epithelial cells. Electron m icroscopic examination revealed developmental stages of an intranuclea r coccidian parasite. This report is the first of an intranuclear cocc idian in a chelonian. Oocysts could not be identified in feces of cage mates or tortoises from the originating breeding family. Identificatio n to genus could not be made, and the source of infection could not be determined.