mechanical vectors and fibropapillomas

[Ursula Keuper-Bennett]

Hello,

  I am investigating the possibility that marine turtle fibropapillomas 
is transmitted by mechanical vectors.

  In the case I am interested in, the mechanical vectors are fish that 
first clean/pick at the tumours of infected turtles and then swim off to 
bite at the eyes or other body parts of clean turtles.

  The fish we see doing this are the saddle wrasse and the white-spot 
toby although this year, long nose butterflyfish have gotten into the 
act.

  I am looking for a precedent for other papillomas to see if it is  
reasonable to suspect these fish as being mechanical vectors for the 
disease.  

  Thank you.


                      ^                  Ursula Keuper-Bennett
                     0 0                 Mississauga, Ontario
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