Clinico-pathologic features of fatal disease attributed to new variants of endotheliotropic herpesviruses in two Asian elephants (Elephas maximus).

摘要: The first herpesviruses described in association with serious elephant disease were referred to as endotheliotropic (EEHV) because of their ability infect capillary endothelial cells and cause potentially fatal disease. Two related viruses, EEHV1 EEHV2, have been based on genetic composition. This report describes the similarities differences clinicopathologic features 2 cases herpesvirus infections Asian elephants caused by a previously unrecognized virus within betaherpesvirus subfamily. EEHV3 is markedly divergent from studied probosciviruses, polymerase chain reaction sequence analysis segments viral genome. In addition ascites, widespread visceral edema, petechiae, damage reported, important findings infection presence grossly visible renal medullary hemorrhage, tropism for larger veins arteries various tissues, relatively high density herpetic inclusions, involvement retinal vessels. These indicate less selective organ tropism, this may confer higher degree virulence EEHV3.