Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for detecting herpesvirus exposure in Mediterranean tortoises (Spur-thighed tortoise [Testudo graeca] and Hermann'stortoise [Testudo hermanni])

An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was developed for the detectio n of antibodies to a herpesvirus associated with an upper respiratory tract disease in Mediterranean tortoises [spur-thighed tortoise (Testudo graeca) and Hermann's tortoise (Testudo hermanni)]. This serodiagnostic test was v alidated through a hyperimmunization study. The mean of the A(405) readings of the plasma samples collected at time zero of the hyperimmunization stud y plus three times the standard deviation was used as the cutoff for seropo sitivity in tortoises. ELISA results were compared to serum neutralization (SN) values for the same samples by using the McNemar test. The results obt ained by SN and ELISA were not significantly different (P>0.05). This new E LISA could be used as an important diagnostic tool for screening wild popul ations and private and zoo collections of Mediterranean tortoises.