Comparison of 16 chelonid herpesviruses by virus neutralization tests and restriction endonuclease digestion of viral DNA

A total of 16 chelonid herpesviruses that were isolated between 1992 and 19 98 were compared with one another on the basis of serology and restriction enzyme digestion patterns of viral DNA. The viruses stem from tortoises of tl-A-ee different species in four different European countries and the Unit ed States of America. The majority of the isolates were similar to one anot her, One isolate, however, differed strongly from all others both serologic ally and in the restriction cleavage pattern of its DNA, showing that there are at least two different sero- and genotypes of herpesviruses that infec t tortoises.