Meeting Abstract
P3.35 Saturday, Jan. 5 Bacteria infection and colonization patterns on and within the eggs of developing Trachemys scripta HOLGERSSON, MCN*; NICHOLS, W; PAITZ, RT; BOWDEN, R; Illinois St. Univ.; Illinois St. Univ.; Illinois St. Univ.; Illinois St. Univ. mcholge@ilstu.edu
The behavior and habitat of turtles inevitably expose them to infectious agents, including a variety of bacteria. Many species of bacteria colonize turtles, residing upon their shell and skin or within their digestive tracts. In most cases turtles are adequately equipped to prevent bacterial inhabitants from causing disease. This apparent symbiosis, however, has made turtles a vector for bacteria that are hazardous to humans; the best known of these is Salmonella. Previous research has focused upon the relationship between turtles and Salmonella within the context of human health and has largely ignored the natural biological relationship. This study examined the primary route of bacterial infection of eggs in red-eared slider turtles (Trachemys scripta) to determine if/how bacterial loads (particularly Salmonella) move within the egg once infected. Eggs were collected from wild caught females, incubated under lab conditions, and dissected at days 0, 15, 30, and 45 to assess bacterial loads of the shell, albumen, yolk, and embryo throughout development. Initial evaluation of bacteria presence upon and within incubating eggs suggests that bacteria can persist on the egg shell throughout incubation. Preliminary data indicate that yolk, albumen, and embryo bacterial loads follow a pulsed pattern with bacteria at undetectable or low levels at day 0, showing a heavy presence by day 15, decreasing to undetectable or low levels by day 30, and resuming heavy levels by day 45. These data suggest that the shell may act as a reservoir for bacteria and promote reinfection. The shifts in bacterial loads may be the result of a combination of factors, including maternal immune priming, variable developmental investment, and incubation conditions.
