General Information

Picorna viruses are non-enveloped RNA viruses, and in tortoises also known as virus "X". They are detected regularly in tortoises, and found associated with other infectious pathogens, particularly with herpes virus and mycoplasma.

Clinically, picorna virus is seen in young animals associated with a softening of the carapace. In adult tortoises infections are seen as rhinitis, stomatitis, ascites and sudden death.