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Veterinary microbiology2010; 149(3-4); 456-460; doi: 10.1016/j.vetmic.2010.11.024

Fatal epizootic equine herpesvirus 1 infections in new and unnatural hosts.

Abstract: In a zoological collection, four black bears (Ursus americanus) died from neurological disease within six months. Independently in a geographically different zoo, two Thomson's gazelles (Eudorcas thomsoni) and 18 guinea pigs (Cavia porcellus f. dom.) suffered from neurological disorders. In addition, guinea pigs showed abortions and stillbirths. All affected animals displayed a non suppurative meningoencephalitis with intranuclear inclusion bodies. Immunohistology demonstrated equine herpes virus antigen and ultrastructurally herpes viral particles were detected. Virus isolation and molecular analysis identified neurotropic equine herpesvirus (EHV) 1 strains in both epizootics. There is serological evidence of a possible virus transmission from other equids to the affected animals. Cross-species transmission of EHV-1 should be considered in the management of captive wild equids and ungulates, particularly with respect to fatal disease in irreplaceable species.
Copyright © 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
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Publication Date: 2010-11-24 PubMed ID: 21167662DOI: 10.1016/j.vetmic.2010.11.024Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary

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The research article discusses a case where four black bears, two Thomson’s gazelles and 18 guinea pigs developed neurological disorders and died due to an infection by a strain of the equine herpesvirus. There is a possibility that these animals contracted the virus from other equids, urging a need for better management of captive wild equids and ungulates to prevent such cross-species transmission in future.

Detailed Overview

  • The research began with an observation of unusual deaths in a zoological collection where four black bears died from a neurological disease over a span of six months. Separately, in a different zoo, the same neurological disorders were found in two Thomson’s gazelles and 18 guinea pigs. Along with the neurological diseases, the guinea pigs also showed symptoms of abortions and stillbirths.
  • All of the affected animals exhibited non-purulent meningoencephalitis, an inflammation of the brain, along with intranuclear inclusion bodies, which are irregularities found in the nucleus of a cell typically during viral infections.
  • After conducting immunohistological studies (a method to detect antigens in cells of a tissue), the researchers discovered the antigen of equine herpes virus in the affected animals, indicating that they were infected by this virus. Confirmation of this was further obtained through ultrastructural studies, where the virus particles were visually spotted.
  • The isolated virus from these animals was subjected to molecular analysis. The results indicated that it was a neurotropic strain of the equine herpesvirus (EHV) 1 behind both the outbreaks or epizootics. ‘Neurotropic’ refers to viruses that are capable of infecting nerve cells.
  • Upon serological examination (a test done to identify antibodies in a patient’s blood), there were indications that the virus transmission might have happened from other equids (a family of mammals that includes horses and zebras) to the animals that were affected.
  • In conclusion, the researchers suggest the consideration of possible cross-specic transmission of EHV-1 in the management of captive wild equids and ungulates (hooved mammals). This is particularly important to prevent fatal diseases in irreplaceable or endangered species.

Cite This Article

APA
Wohlsein P, Lehmbecker A, Spitzbarth I, Algermissen D, Baumgärtner W, Böer M, Kummrow M, Haas L, Grummer B. (2010). Fatal epizootic equine herpesvirus 1 infections in new and unnatural hosts. Vet Microbiol, 149(3-4), 456-460. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.vetmic.2010.11.024

Publication

Veterinary microbiology
ISSN: 1873-2542
NlmUniqueID: 7705469
Country: Netherlands
Language: English
Volume: 149
Issue: 3-4
Pages: 456-460

Researcher Affiliations

Wohlsein, Peter
  • Department of Pathology, University of Veterinary Medicine, Bünteweg 17, D-30559 Hannover, Germany. Peter.Wohlsein@tiho-hannover.de
Lehmbecker, Annika
    Spitzbarth, Ingo
      Algermissen, Dorothee
        Baumgärtner, Wolfgang
          Böer, Michael
            Kummrow, Maja
              Haas, Ludwig
                Grummer, Beatrice

                  MeSH Terms

                  • Animals
                  • Animals, Zoo / virology
                  • Antelopes / virology
                  • Base Sequence
                  • Cells, Cultured
                  • Female
                  • Guinea Pigs / virology
                  • Herpesviridae Infections / pathology
                  • Herpesviridae Infections / transmission
                  • Herpesviridae Infections / veterinary
                  • Herpesviridae Infections / virology
                  • Herpesvirus 1, Equid / isolation & purification
                  • Herpesvirus 1, Equid / pathogenicity
                  • Host Specificity
                  • Male
                  • Meningoencephalitis / pathology
                  • Meningoencephalitis / virology
                  • Molecular Sequence Data
                  • Pregnancy
                  • Pregnancy Complications, Infectious / virology
                  • Ursidae / virology

                  Citations

                  This article has been cited 17 times.
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