Antibody against Testudo herpesvirus is not common in Chinese soft-shelledturtles

Seventy-sis serum samples of Chinese soft-shelled turtles (Trionyx sinensis ) were collected at Jiangsu Province, China. The neutralization test (NT) w as performed with the sera, Testudo herpesvirus (THV) and turtle heart cell s (THC). Neutralizing antibodies were detected in five of 76 samples and th e titres were 1:10-1:20. Having optimized the conditions, the dot-enzyme-li nked immunosorbent assay (Dot-ELISA) was developed and eight serum samples exhibited positive results. Five samples were positive by both NT and Dot-E LISA. The percentage of positive samples was only 6.6% (NT) and 11% (ELISA) . It is suggested that THV infection is not a serious problem for the Chine se soft-shelled turtle culture in this region.