First report of malignant catarrhal fever in a captive pudu (Pudu puda). (April 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Modesto, Paola; Grattarola, Carla; Biolatti, Cristina; Varello, Katia; Casalone, Cristina; Mandola, Maria Lucia; Caruso, Claudio; Dondo, Alessandro; Goria, Maria; Rocca, Francesco; Decaro, Nicola; Leonardi, Cristina; Iulini, Barbara; Acutis, Pier Luigi
• Is Part Of: Research in veterinary science. Volume 99(2015)
• Page Start: 212
• Page End: 214
• Publication Date: 2015-04
• Subjects: Caprine herpesvirus 2 -- Malignant catarrhal fever -- Pudu puda -- Real time PCR -- Zoo animal; Veterinary medicine -- Periodicals; Veterinary Medicine -- Periodicals; Médecine vétérinaire -- Périodiques; Médecine vétérinaire -- Recherche -- Périodiques; Diergeneeskunde; 636.089
• DOI: 10.1016/j.rvsc.2015.02.010
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0034-5288

Abstract

Highlights: We depict for the first time a case of malignant catarrhal fever in a captive pudu. A region of caprine herpesvirus 2 (CpHV-2) DNA was amplified by real-time PCR and pan-herpes nested PCR. Transumant goat herds were supposed as the source of infection. It is advisable to test CpHV-2 in case of sudden death of exotic ruminants. Biosafety procedures should be implemented to protect health of valuable animals. Abstract: A male, six-year-old pudu ( Pudu puda ) from an Italian zoo was submitted for postmortem examination after sudden death. Necroscopy revealed non-suppurative bronchopneumonia and degeneration of the liver and haemorrhagic lesions of the thymus, pericardium and spleen. Microscopically, multifocal perivascular mononuclear cell infiltrates were observed in the kidneys, lungs, spleen, and the portal triads of the liver. Histological examination of the brain showed meningitis, vasculitis and perivascular cuffs of mononuclear inflammatory cells. A region of the DNA polymerase gene of malignant catarrhal fever viruses was amplified by real-time PCR and nested PCR. PCR products from the tissue samples were sequenced and analysed. The sequences showed 99% similarity with a portion of the caprine herpesvirus 2 DNA polymerase gene. This is the first report of malignant catarrhal fever in a captive pudu.