Prevalence of Agamid adenoviruses of the bearded dragons (Pogona vitticeps) in Japan

Abstract

In this study, we surveyed the prevalence and characteristics of agamid adenovirus (genus Atadenovirus) infections in bearded dragons (Pogona vitticeps) in Japan. Swab samples were collected from the oral cavity and pharynx of 44 healthy bearded dragons and 24 bearded dragons with clinical signs of respiratory disease. PCR confirmed agamid adenovirus in 25 of the 44 healthy lizards (56.8%). Of the 24 bearded dragons with respiratory clinical signs, 14 were agamid adenovirus-positive (58.3%). Sex was determined for 21 of the 24 bearded dragons with respiratory clinical signs (9 males and 12 females). Agamid adenovirus was confirmed in two of the nine males (22.2%) and 10 of the 12 females (83.3%), indicating a higher prevalence of adenovirus in the females. Overall, the prevalence of agamid adenovirus in bearded dragons with respiratory clinical signs was almost the same as that in clinically healthy bearded dragons, suggesting that the virus is widespread in this species. In addition, we detected no apparent seasonality in the occurrence of agamid adenovirus infection. The mean value of globulin was slightly higher in seven of the female lizards with confirmed agamid adenovirus