Alphaherpesvirus‐associated disease in greater bilbies (Macrotis lagotis)

Abstract

This is the first report of a herpesvirus-associated disease in greater bilbies.

A novel alphaherpesvirus and concurrent respiratory cryptococcosis in a captive koala (Phascolarctos cinereus)

“…18, 20-22, 25, 31, 42-44 The lesions observed in this koala were very similar to those described from a colony of 9 greater bilbies (Macrotis lagotis), that died suddenly from acute, severe respiratory disease, with infection of an alphaherpesvirus closely related to MaHV-1. 29 As described in the bilbies, the koala had eosinophilic inclusion bodies in the respiratory epithelium of the bronchi, bronchioles, alveoli, and adrenocortical cells and hepatocytes associated with cellular necrosis and hyaline membrane formation in pulmonary alveoli. 29 Other histological changes noted in this koala included peribronchial, peribronchiolar and interstitial fibrosis, indicating a chronic respiratory disease process.…”

“…29 As described in the bilbies, the koala had eosinophilic inclusion bodies in the respiratory epithelium of the bronchi, bronchioles, alveoli, and adrenocortical cells and hepatocytes associated with cellular necrosis and hyaline membrane formation in pulmonary alveoli. 29 Other histological changes noted in this koala included peribronchial, peribronchiolar and interstitial fibrosis, indicating a chronic respiratory disease process. Domesticated mammals infected with herpesviruses have shown similar pathology to that of the koala and bilbies.…”

“…22 An alphaherpesvirus similar to MaHV-1 has been described causing mild upper respiratory disease and sudden death with 100% mortality in a captive breeding colony of greater bilbies (Macrotis lagotis). 29 Experimental challenge studies in eastern grey kangaroos (Macropus giganteus) infected with MaHV-1, demonstrated that MaHV-1 was latent and was reactivated following immunosuppression induced by corticosteroid treatment, the authors proposing dissemination of the herpesvirus via the respiratory route. 48 MaHV-2 has caused two separate disease outbreaks with acute respiratory disease, hepatitis and sudden deaths in two geographically isolated groups of grey Dorcopsis wallabies (Dorcopsis muelleri luctuosa).…”

“…17 Herpesviruses have been documented since 1976 in Australian marsupials causing mortalities in various captive and wild species, including; grey dorcopsis wallabies (Dorcopsis luctuosa), parma wallabies (Macropus parma), tammar wallabies (Macropus eugenii), eastern grey kangaroos (Macropus giganteus), western grey kangaroos (Macropus fuliginosis), red kangaroos (Macropus rufus), common wombats (Vombatus ursinus), long-nosed potoroos (Potoris tridactylus), Quokkas (Setonix brachyurus), woylies (Bettongia penicillata), rufous bettongs (Aepyprymnus rufescens), greater bilbies (Macrotis lagotis) and Lumholtz's tree kangaroos (Dendrolagus lumholtz). [18][19][20][21][22][23][24][25][26][27][28][29][30][31] The alphaherpesviruses identified causing mortalities in marsupials include Macropodid alphaherpesvirus 1 (MaHV-1), Macropodid alphaherpesvirus 2 (MaHV-2), and Macropodid alphaherpesvirus 4 (MaHV-4). 27,[31][32][33][34] To date, no known alphaherpesviruses have been described causing disease in koalas, but two gammaherpesviruses, Phascolarctid gammaherpesvirus 1 and 2 (PhaHV-1 and PhaHV-2), have been well described from koalas, but do not appear to be associated with clinical disease.…”

In this issue – June 2016

“…In 2009, a captive breeding colony of nine greater bilbies died suddenly over a 2‐week period, with little to no clinical signs prior. This is the first report of a herpesvirus‐associated disease in greater bilbies …”