Caprine herpesvirus 2-associated malignant catarrhal fever of captive sika deer (Cervus nippon) in an intensive management system

Abstract

BackgroundCaprine herpesvirus 2 (CpHV-2) infection usually induces chronic malignant catarrhal fever (MCF) in sika deer (Cervus nippon), with the primary signs of weight loss, dermatitis and alopecia.Case presentationHere, we report a case of CpHV-2-associated acute MCF in a sika deer herd raised in an intensive management system distant to the reservoir goats. Affected deer developed clinical signs of high fever (41 °C) followed by nasal discharge and lameness. Severe lesions of hemorrhage, necrosis and infiltration of lymphoid cells could readily be observed in the lung, kidney, heart valves and subcutaneous tissue surrounding a tendon. Etiologically, identical CpHV-2 specific DNA sequences were detected in peripheral blood lymphocyte (PBL) from the affected deer and reservoir goats.ConclusionIn summary, domestic goats were the reservoir of the CpHV-2, which is the causative agent of the outbreak of MCF in the three hinds. The disease was probably transmitted via aerosol infection. In addition, necrosis and inflammation in subcutaneous tissue surrounding a tendon was the reason for lameness. Therefore, MCF should be put into a differential diagnostic list when similar disease occurs in sika deer herds.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (10.1186/s12917-018-1365-8) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Malignant catarrhal fever: An emerging yet neglected disease in captive sika deer ( Cervus nippon ) herds in China

“…Of the 23 identified MCFVs, 21 were proven to be OvHV‐2. The remaining 2 CpHV‐2 isolates were responsible for an acute MCF case in a sika deer herd in Siping, as reported earlier (Zhu, Huang, et al, ). However, one should be cautious when interpreting this OvHV‐2/CpHV‐2 ratio.…”

“…All confirmed MCF cases in sika deer seemed to be peracute or acute based on the disease course and severity. The affected sika deer herds were all raised in an intensive management system, as described before (Zhu, Huang, et al, ). However, all cases were also reported as resulting from direct or indirect contact with domestic sheep or goats.…”

“…For instance, the first case to occur in Hebei and Case F in Baotou, IMAR (Table ) was first described as enterotoxigenic diarrhoea and enterotoxemia, respectively, by local veterinarians. Case E in Siping, Jilin Province, was misdiagnosed as foot and mouth disease (FMD) (Zhu, Huang, et al, ). Failing to detect the corresponding causative bacteria or viruses prompt us to consider MCFV as the possible aetiologic agent.…”

“…Previous experiments successfully established air‐borne infection via aerosolization of nasal secretions (Gailbreath, Taus, Cunha, Knowles, & Li, ; Kim, Li, & Crawford, ; Hong Li et al, ). In addition, the possible role of vectors, such as wild rodents, ticks or bats, was also discussed (Zhu, Huang, et al, ). In addition, we noticed that most farmers believed the leaves of Mongolian oak ( Quercus mongolica ) were good feed supplements for sika deer.…”

“…In addition, CpHV‐2, the causative agent of the more‐chronic SA‐MCF, could also be a problem in most countries (Foyle et al, ; Vikøren et al, ). In most cases, domestic goats, which serve as the reservoir for the virus, are easily accessible to susceptible animals (Zhu, Huang, et al, ).…”