Characterization of Cervidpoxvirus Isolates from Oregon, California, and Eastern Canada

Abstract

Abstract. The present report describes the analysis of 4 Deerpox virus isolates from California, Oregon, and Ontario, Canada. All 4 isolates were associated with cutaneous crusting lesions. Examination of selected samples by electron microscopy demonstrated that the viruses were morphologically similar to orthopoxviruses. Phylogenetic analysis of the A21 gene, which is found in all poxviruses, indicated that the 4 isolates form a lineage distinct from other members except for those belonging to the genus Cervidpoxvirus of the subfamily Chordopoxvirinae. Members of the Cervidpoxvirus lineage encode a set of genes not found in other poxviruses. These include homologs of genes encoding interleukin 1 receptor antagonists (IL-1Ra) and C-type lectin-like receptors (CTLR). In the current investigation, genes encoding homologs of IL-1Ra and CTLR were amplified from all the isolates and were found to be closely related to orthologs found in the Cervidpoxvirus genus, which further supports the inclusion of these isolates in the Cervidpoxvirus genus.

Epitheliotropic Infections in Wildlife Ruminants From the Central Alps and Stelvio National Park

“…The viruses belonging to the genus Deerpoxvirus (DPV) are responsible for non-parapoxviruslike infections in the members of two subfamilies of cervids, American deer (Odocoileinae) and reindeer (Rangiferinae). These viruses, resembling orthopoxviruses in shape, have been reported in North America in wild mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus) in Wyoming (2), black-tailed deer (O. h. columbianus) (3) and pudu (Pudu puda) (4) in California, in wild cervid species in the Northwest Pacific (5), in farmed white-tailed deer in Mississipi (6) and in a goitered gazelle (Gazella subgutturosa) (7). The first genome sequence of Mule Deerpoxvirus (MDPV), from a farmed white-tailed deer fawn in Florida, has been recently published by Sayler et al (8).…”

Experimental Deerpox Infection in Black-Tailed Deer (Odocoileus Hemionus Columbianus)

“…Furthermore, Afonso et al (2005) found distinct genetic differences between the two isolates studied, suggesting multiple strains of virus within the species. This has been further supported by partial characterization of three Odocoileus hemionus origin isolates in our laboratory (Moerdyk-Schauwecker et al, 2009). Therefore it is likely that some strains will be more virulent than others and that these limited transmission studies only begin to define the range of clinical disease that DPV may induce.…”

“…The identity of the virus could not be established at that time. However, our research indicates that this virus is a member of the recently named Cervidpoxvirus genus (Moerdyk-Schauwecker et al, 2009). A novel poxvirus, measuring 245 3 200 nm has also been linked to cutaneous, ocular, and upper alimentary tract lesions in captive pudu, (Pudu puda), a cervid species native to South America (Junge et al, 2000).…”

“…Alternatively, some animals may develop lesions in the oral cavity or upper gastrointestinal tract that result in decreased feed intake, weight loss, and debilitation. The oral lesions observed in fawn 6, and in a spontaneous natural DPV infection (Moerdyk-Schauwecker et al, 2009) were of such severity that differential diagnoses for the gross lesions would include diseases such as malignant catarrhal fever or foot and mouth disease.…”

Serosurvey for Antibody to Deerpox Virus in Five Cervid Species in Oregon, USA

“…This isolate was propagated and titered in Vero cells as previously described (Moerdyk-Schauwecker et al, 2009) for use in a standard serum neutralization (SN) plaque assay.…”