Fatal inflammatory heart disease in a bonobo (Pan paniscus)

Abstract

We report the first probable identification of encephalomyocarditis virus (EMCV) in a bonobo (Pan paniscus) that had been part of a forest re-introduction programme. Clinical presentation was of episodic acute on chronic heart failure and cerebral infarction with end-stage renal failure rather than sudden death which is more commonly associated with EMCV infection. A postmortem diagnosis of probable EMCV was made using gross pathological and histopathological examination. Findings included acute on chronic heart failure combined with the unusual but characteristic histopathological features of non-suppurative necrotizing myocarditis with mononuclear, inflammatory infiltration of the brain.

Encephalomyocarditis virus mortality in semi-wild bonobos (Pan panicus)

“…The authors suggest that some of these deaths could be because of viruses. Indeed, these changes resemble the atypical, chronic form of EMCV that we have previously observed in the bonobo [10]. The real impact of EMCV can only be ascertained by an epidemiological study including specific virological investigation of each death which presents considerable logistical and administrative difficulties.…”

“…Our results do not permit us to say if bonobos are particularly sensitive to EMCV or have been subjected to a particularly high exposure. However, of the 10 bonobos who died at Lola during the period from 1995 to the death of Bonobo 2, two died from EMCV and one probably from EMCV [10]. The bonobo who had previously died of probable EMCV developed a proliferative myocarditis with a clinical presentation of chronic heart failure that is not a typical presentation of EMCV [10].…”

“…One recent out‐break in an Italian zoo involved ring‐tailed lemurs ( Lemur catta ), red‐ruffed lemurs ( Varecia variegara rubra ) and the common marmoset ( Callithrix jacchus ) [4]. In addition, EMCV has been implicated in the deaths of two other species of primates; the bonobo ( Pan paniscus ) [10] and the gibbon ( Hylobates lar ) [3]. A clinical syndrome of rapidly evolving, acute heart failure or sudden death is most commonly described which is thought to be related to the interruption or malfunctioning of the conductive system of the heart, as has been confirmed in experimentally infected mice [17].…”

Encephalomyocarditis virus may use different pathways to initiate infection of primary human cardiomyocytes

“…It can naturally infect a wide range of vertebrate species including swine and non-human primates [1,11,13,16,26], reptiles and insects [9]. Rodents are considered to be natural hosts of EMCV and are thought to be the primary reservoir and disseminators of the virus [28].…”

Human Febrile Illness Caused by Encephalomyocarditis Virus Infection, Peru

“…Infection with EMCV is associated with sporadic cases and outbreaks of myocarditis and encephalitis in domestic pigs, in numerous species of nonhuman primates, and in other mammalian species (2)(3)(4)(5)(6)(7)(8). The disease is often fatal-frequently, sudden death is the fi rst indication of infection-and most outbreaks have been associated with captive animals, such as those found in piggeries, primate research centers, and zoos.…”