Title
Long-term oral clarithromycin administration in chelonians with subclinical Mycoplasma spp. infection
Author(s)
Rettenmund, Christy L.;Boyer, Donal M.;Orrico, William J.;Parker, Sarah G.;Seimon, Tracie A.;Wilkes, Rebecca P.;Pare, Jean
Published
2017
Publisher
Journal of Herpetological Medicine and Surgery
Published Version DOI
https://doi.org/10.5818/16-09-087.1
Abstract
Choanal swabs were collected three times at two-week intervals from seventeen asymptomatic captive chelonians, eight Forsten's tortoises (Indotestudo forstenii) and nine Sulawesi forest turtles (Leucocephalon yuwonoi), to document individual Mycoplasma spp. shedding patterns. Four of the Forsten's tortoises and six of the Sulawesi forest turtles tested positive repeatedly for Mycoplasma spp. DNA using a PCR assay. Clarithromycin, a macrolide antibiotic, was administered orally to all animals at 20 mg/kg, every two to three days for a total of 90 days. While no adverse effects were noted, this extended three-month long course of clarithromycin failed to suppress Mycoplasma spp. shedding in all but one of the ten Mycoplasma spp. PCR-positive animals.
Keywords
chelonian;clarithromycin;Forsten's tortoise;Indotestudo forstenii;Leucocephalon yuwonoi;Mycoplasma;Sulawesi Forest turtle

Access Full Text

A full-text copy of this article may be available. Please email the WCS Library to request.



Back

PUB22506