“The University of Florida team discovered the pathogen, a new species of spiral-shaped bacteria from the genus Helicobacter, in three wild gopher tortoises from North Central Florida that were seen at the UF Small Animal Hospital between 2012 and 2019. All three tortoises showed signs of nasal discharge and all rapidly became seriously ill, unlike with previously known causes of upper respiratory disease in tortoises. Examination of fluid from their noses revealed the bacteria.
Sequencing of several genes revealed the novel bacteria. Two of the tortoises died despite treatment attempts. Another one was near death and had to be euthanized.
The researchers then developed a highly specific and rapid genetic sequencing test that was used to survey nasal samples from 31 rehabilitating gopher tortoises. “
