Amdoparvovirus-associated disease in striped skunks (Mephitis mephitis). Issue 4 (July 2023)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Alex, Charles E.; Watson, Katherine D.; Schlesinger, Maya; Jackson, Ken; Mete, Asli; Chu, Peter; Pesavento, Patricia A.
• Is Part Of: Veterinary pathology. Volume 60:Issue 4(2023)
• Page Start: 438
• Page End: 442
• Publication Date: 2023-07
• Subjects: amdoparvovirus -- histology -- in situ hybridization -- mephitis -- Striped skunk; Veterinary pathology -- Periodicals; Pathology, Veterinary -- Periodicals; 636.089607
• DOI: 10.1177/03009858231173468
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0300-9858

Abstract

Disease caused by the archetypical amdoparvovirus (APV), Aleutian mink disease virus (AMDV), has been well studied, but APV infections in other carnivores are poorly understood. Skunk amdoparvovirus (SKAV), one of a handful of newly discovered APVs, is apparently species-specific in striped skunks ( Mephitis mephitis ) and has a high prevalence across North America. We have evaluated the infection status and viral tissue distribution in a cohort of 26 free-ranging California skunks from a single rehabilitation facility who were euthanized due to poor prognosis for recovery from neurologic disease. SKAV was detected in the majority of this cohort, and virus was associated with a spectrum of lesions including tubulointerstitial nephritis, meningoencephalitis, myocarditis, and arteritis. Affected tissue and patterns of inflammation were partially overlapping with those of AMDV infection but were notably distinct in the kidney.