Paul A. Klein, Ph.D.
Professor

Current Research Interests:

Immunology, virology, microbial pathogenesis and host defense mechanisms in lower vertebrates. Serodiagnosis and seroepidemiology of infectious diseases of wildlife.

Dept. of Pathology, Immunology and Laboratory Medicine University of Florida College of Medicine P.O. Box 100275 Gainesville, FL 32610-0275 Office Location and Express Mail address: Dept. of Pathology, Immunology and Laboratory Medicine University of Florida College of Medicine Basic Science Building B3-31 Office: (352) 392-2608 Fax: (352) 392-1619 Senior Secretary: Lee Stutevoss (352) 392-2609 Email: paklein@ufl.edu

Our research is focused on major epizootics affecting several endangered and threatened chelonian species (sea turtles and tortoises). We have identified a new species of pathogenic mycoplasma and shown it to be responsible for epizootics of chronic upper respiratory tract disease (URTD) in threatened desert and gopher tortoises. In 2002, the National Science Foundation funded a five year $2.2M multidisciplinary grant to allow us to study the impact of URTD on gopher tortoises and their ecosystems in Florida. Without the gopher tortoise, the biological diversity of upland habitats would be severely diminished since as many as 360 animal species depend on the gopher tortoise for survival. We are interested in learning more about how natural factors combine with human-induced ones, such as relocation and fire exclusion, and how those relationships interact with biological and microbial factors to determine the incidence, virulence, and spread of disease. Second, we are investigating herpesviruses that are associated with several diseases of marine turtles including lung-eye-trachea disease (LETD) and fibropapillomatosis (FP), a tumor epizootic threatening the survival of sea turtles worldwide. We have shown by transmission studies that FP is caused by a virus and our current focus is on the etiological role of a unique herpesvirus that we have identified in this disease. We have provided new evidence that endangered wild Florida green turtle populations are being exposed to LETV, the LETD-associated herpesvirus, and that LETV and the FP-associated herpesvirus (FPHV) are separate infections of marine turtles. Our research group participates in the University of Florida Marine Mammal Program and the Emerging Pathogens Initiative to provide understanding and tools needed to prevent foreign animal diseases and other emerging pathogens from impacting the health of Floridians, our ecosytems, and the State's economy.

    Related Links:

• The Turtle Hospital
• Emerging Pathogens Initiative
• The Marine Mammal Program at UF
• The Desert Tortoise Council

Curriculum Vitae (click to download MS-Word document)
Publications (click to download MS-Word document)