HERPESVIRUS INFECTION IN STRANDED PACIFIC HARBOR SEALS OF COASTAL CALIFORNIA

摘要: Histopathological examination revealed multifocal acute to chronic adrenal necrosis in 74 of 162 (45%) Pacific harbor seal pups (Phoca vitulina richardsi) dying during rehabilitation following live stranding along the coast central and northern California (USA). Necrotic cells contained amphophilic, smudgy intranuclear inclusion bodies that were stained positive for DNA. Fifty these seals also had lesions typical sepsis, bacterial omphalophlebitis, pneumonia or gastroenteritis. Twenty four no other than thymic atrophy occasional hepatic necrosis. Prior death, affected a marked lymphopenia. Electron microscopy unenveloped hexagonal round viral particles approximately 100 nm diameter, cytoplasmic enveloped virions 160 diameter. These morphologically consistent with herpesvirus. Inoculation phocine kidney cell lines an tissue homogenate from animals produced cytopathic effect 5 days. cultures showing this similar those observed glands. Cases characteristic 42 95 (44%) male 32 67 (47%) female seals. Affected been 0 63 days below average birth weight species.