KINETICS OF VIRAL LOADS AND GENOTYPIC ANALYSIS OF ELEPHANT ENDOTHELIOTROPIC HERPESVIRUS-1 INFECTION IN CAPTIVE ASIAN ELEPHANTS (ELEPHAS MAXIMUS)

摘要: Elephant endotheliotropic herpesviruses (EEHVs) can cause fatal hemorrhagic disease in juvenile Asian elephants (Elephas maximus); however, sporadic shedding of virus trunk washes collected from healthy also has been detected. Data regarding the relationship viral loads blood compared with are lacking, and questions about whether undergo multiple infections EEHVs have not addressed previously. Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction was used to determine kinetics EEHV1 loads, genotypic analysis performed on DNA detected various fluid samples obtained five that survived detectable DNAemia at least two separate occasions. In three displaying clinical signs illness, preclinical detectable, peak whole-blood occurred 3-8 days after onset signs. persisted for 7-21 days, no illness were observed. Detection peaked approximately 21 DNAemia, genotypes during matched those subsequent same elephant. each elephants, distinct identified whole different time points. case, these represented both an EEHV1A EEHV1B subtype. These data suggest knowledge could be useful management before or illness. Furthermore, sequential infection subtypes occurs suggesting they do elicit cross- protective sterilizing immunity. will individuals involved husbandry care