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Fibropapillomatosis (FP) is a disease specific to sea turtles. The condition is characterized by benign epithelial tumours on the surface of biological tissues.〔 〕 A herpesvirus is believed to be the causative agent of the disease,〔 〕 while turtle leeches are suspected mechanical vectors, transmitting the disease to other individuals.〔 〕 The disease is thought to have a multifactorial etiology, including a tumour-promoting phase that is possibly caused by biotoxins or contaminants.〔 〕 FP exists all over the world but it is most prominent in warmer climates affecting up to 50%-70% of some populations.〔 ==Description== Fibropapillomatosis (FP) is a benign tumour disease of marine turtles, predominantly in the green sea turtle, ''Chelonia mydas'', but it has also been reported in the loggerhead ''Caretta caretta'', olive ridley ''Lepidochelys olivacea'', kemp’s ridley ''Lepidochelys kempii'' and leatherbacks ''Dermochelys coriacea''.〔 This neoplastic disease causes proliferation of papillary cells (hyperplasia) and gives rise to excess fibrous connective tissue in both epidermal and dermal skin layers – or more specifically, proliferation of dermal fibroblasts and epidermal keratinocytes.〔 〕〔 〕 This causes tumorigenesis in sizes less than 1 cm up to more than 30 cm in diameter.〔 FP is most often found externally around the armpits, genitals, neck, eyes and tail of turtles, but do also occur in and around the mouth, and rarely in internal organs or on the carapace. This in turn impedes vision, feeding and movement.〔 Around 25-30% of turtles with external tumours also have internal tumours, primarily in heart, lungs and kidneys.〔 FP incidence is highest among immature and juvenile green turtles, while it is rare in adults.〔 There are two suggestions for this pattern; firstly, the tumours can regress and be cured, which has been documented in some individuals, even when tumours were severe.〔 〕 However, the responses that cause these tumour regressions is unknown. Secondly, the juvenile individuals with FP might die before reaching adulthood.〔 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「Fibropapillomatosis」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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