INCIDENCE OF WEST NILE VIRUS IN EASTERN BOX TURTLES

Abstract

Blood samples were collected from 53 Eastern Box Turtles (Terrapene carolina) captured at Patuxent Wildlife Research Center in Laurel, MD. Samples were tested for antibody titers consistent with exposure to West Nile virus. All fifty three samples were negative, implying that West Nile virus is not present in this population or is present at such low levels that it does not have a significant impact. There is very little known about normal blood hematology and chemistry ranges in box turtles. Packed cell volume, total solids, red blood cell count, and white blood cell differential tests were performed on each of the blood samples. Alkaline phosphatase, gamma-glutamyI transpeptidase, aspartate aminotransferase, amylase, glucose, phosphorous, calcium, albumin, globulin, cholesterol, creatine kinase, creatinine, and total protein levels were also measured. Results and descriptive statistics on each of the parameters are reported.