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.