Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for the detection of herpesvirus in tortoises

A polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based method using a herpesvirus consensu s primer was assessed for the identification of herpesviral infections in t ortoises. A single band of about 230 bp was detected in PCR products from t wo out of twenty swabs taken from the oral cavity, three out of three paraf fin-embedded tissue sections from the liver (two cases) and oral mucosa (on e case), and one out of two fresh tissue samples from the oral mucosa. Nucl eotide sequencing of these PCR products indicated that the herpesvirus pres ent in these tortoises might belong to the alphaherpesvirinae. PCR using sw abs and biopsy tissues was a sensitive and highly specific method for the d iagnosis of herpesviral infections in tortoises.