Preparation and clinical application of thrombocyte-leukocyte rich plasma in green turtles (Chelonia mydas). Technical note

Traumatic injuries in turtles pose a significant challenge for veterinarians, requiring extended follow-up and rehabilitation periods. With conventional healing methods often yielding limited results, the realm of regenerative medicine in reptiles and amphibians has offered promising alternatives. Among these, the utilization of thrombocyte-leukocyte rich plasma and analogous hemocomponents akin to platelet-rich plasma in mammals has garnered attention. Hence, the objective of this study was to explore therapeutic hemocomponents in reptiles, specifically thrombocyte-leukocyte rich plasma, and its application in a clinical case involving Chelonia mydas. Autologous thrombocyte-leukocyte rich plasma was prepared via a density gradient centrifugation process to isolate the buffy coat and concentrate thrombocytes and leukocytes in the final formulation. The selected clinical case involved a green turtle (Chelonia mydas) undergoing rehabilitation at the Karumbé center, exhibiting lesions and abscesses in the jaw and flipper regions. Treatment entailed abscess removal, antibiotic administration, and the application of gelified thrombocyte-leukocyte rich plasma in the affected areas. Results demonstrated a recovery rate of 20.8% for thrombocytes and leukocytesin the thrombocyte- leukocyte rich plasma preparation, which effectively gelled upon application. Regarding the clinical case evolution, after 2 months of follow-up, an improvement in wound healing was observed. In conclusion, this is the first report of the preparation of thrombocyte-leukocyte rich plasma in Chelonia mydas and its application in a clinical case with favorable progression. However, more cases are needed in this species and type of lesion to obtain conclusive results on its beneficial effects in turtles.