FIBROPAPILLOMATOSIS IN CHELONIA MYDAS: IMPLICATIONS FOR THE CONSERVATION OF MARINE POPULATIONS.

Resumo

Fibropapillomatosis in sea turtles is a neoplastic disease of major sanitary and conservation importance, widely associated with Chelonid alphaherpesvirus 5. The disease has been reported in several regions worldwide, especially in coastal areas affected by environmental degradation, and is considered one of the main diseases affecting sea turtle populations. This study aims to gather and analyze scientific evidence related to the etiological, epidemiological, clinical, diagnostic, and therapeutic aspects of the disease, as well as its relationship with environmental factors. This is a narrative literature review conducted through research in scientific databases such as SciELO and PubMed. Scientific articles published within the last 10 years and books related to the health and conservation of sea turtles were used. The search was performed using keywords such as “sea turtles,” “fibropapillomatosis,” and “ Chelonid alphaherpesvirus 5.” The results indicate that fibropapillomatosis has a multifactorial etiology involving the interaction between the viral agent, the host immune response, and adverse environmental conditions. Factors such as marine pollution, chemical contamination, eutrophication, and physicochemical changes in aquatic ecosystems may contribute to the development and spread of the disease. In this context, a higher prevalence is observed in juvenile green sea turtles, considered the most affected group. The disease may cause external and internal tumors, leading to significant impairments in vision, locomotion, feeding, and other vital functions, ultimately compromising the animals’ survival. Diagnosis is based on clinical evaluation, histopathological examination, and molecular methods. Surgical treatment, especially using laser therapy, stands out as the main therapeutic approach currently available, although recurrence rates may vary. It is concluded that fibropapillomatosis represents an impo rtant indicator of marine ecosystem health, highlighting the need for integrated strategies involving environmental monitoring, clinical management, and conservation efforts to ensure greater protection for sea turtle populations.