Identification of a gammaherpesvirus belonging to the malignant catarrhal fever group of viruses in Pyrenean chamois (Rupicapra p. pyrenaica)

Abstract

High prevalence (46 %) of a gammaherpesvirus was confirmed by molecular detection in the lungs of hunted Pyrenean chamois. The partial glycoprotein B sequence up to the DNA polymerase gene showed 96.6 % nucleotide sequence identity to the Rupicapra rupicapra gammaherpesvirus 1 and 81.5 % to ovine herpesvirus 2. This novel sequence clusters within sequences derived from the malignant catarrhal fever group of viruses, and the corresponding virus is tentatively named Rupicapra pyrenaica gammaherpesvirus 1 (RpHV-1). No specific histological lesions were associated with RpHV-1, nor were any detrimental effects on host health. The epidemiological, phylogenetic and histopathological results suggest that Pyrenean chamois is the natural host of RpHV-1.

Malignant catarrhal fever in cattle in the Irkutsk Region

“…The clinical picture and pathological changes in the described cases were similar to MCF descriptions in veterinary literature (3,7,8,11,21,28,32). However, the duration of the disease in Kharchev was 5 ± 0.7 days, whereas it is usually 1-26 days (21).…”

“…Infected animals usually die within 5 to 10 days (ranging from 1 to 26 days) after the first clinical signs, which are more prominent and distinct in a long-term course of the disease. MCF is clinically characterised by fever (>41°C), loss of appetite, depression, nasal and ocular discharge, necrotic and diphtheria lesions of the oral cavity mucosa, diarrhoea, swollen lymph nodes, and corneal opacity leading to blindness (7,20,25). Diseased animals may also have neurological disorders, such as ataxia and nystagmus.…”

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

“…Causative agents of MCF involve a set of phylogenetically closely related herpesviruses within the genus Macavirus , in the subfamily Gammaherpesvirinae; these include alcelaphine herpesvirus 1 (AlHV‐1), alcelaphine herpesvirus 2, caprine herpesvirus 2 (CpHV‐2), ibex‐MCFV, MCFV‐muskox, MCFV–white‐tailed deer (WTD) and ovine herpesvirus 2 (OvHV‐2) (Evermann, ; Gasper et al, ). Recently, another MCFV member, rupicapra pyrenaica gammaherpesvirus 1 (RpHV‐1), was identified in hunted Pyrenean chamois ( Rupicapra p. pyrenaica ) (Fernández‐Aguilar et al, ). Among these MCFVs, AlHV‐1 and OvHV‐2 are comprehensively characterized.…”

Ibex-Associated Malignant Catarrhal Fever in Duikers (Cephalophus Spp)

“…The MCFV group currently comprises 10 members, 7 of which have been associated with disease. 6,17,19 Common histologic lesions of MCF include lymphoproliferation, vasculitis, and mucosal ulceration. 17,19…”

“…The MCFV group currently comprises 10 members, 7 of which have been associated with disease. 6,17,19 Common histologic lesions of MCF include lymphoproliferation, vasculitis, and mucosal ulceration. 17,19 MCF poses a serious risk to zoological collections, and while zoos make every attempt to avoid housing MCFsusceptible animals together with, or close to, known carrier species, chronic infections in adapted host species are generally nonclinical and only detected by the presence of MCFVspecific antibodies in these species.…”