Novel gammaherpesvirus associated with primary gastric T‐cell lymphoma in a free‐ranging giant armadillo in Brazil

Abstract

The number of viral-associated neoplasms reported in wildlife has increased over the last decades, likely because of growing research efforts and a potentially greater burden of carcinogenic pathogens. Herein, we describe a primary gastric T-cell lymphoma in one free-ranging giant armadillo (Priodontes maximus) from Brazilian Pantanal infected by a novel gammaherpesvirus, proposed as Cingulatid gammaherpesvirus 1 (CiHV-1). By chromogenic in situ hybridisation against Epstein-Barr virus some neoplastic cells were labeled. Subsequently, a molecular screening was carried out to detect the occurrence of this pathogen in other giant armadillos in the same region.Overall, this novel virus was detected in 14.3% (3/21) of the tested giant armadillos.We suggest this herpesvirus, the first in Xenarthra, as a plausible aetiology of the neoplasm. The implications of CiHV-1 for this species are uncertain; while no outbreaks of disease have been recorded, the present study raises concerns. Further research is warranted to assess the real significance of CiHV-1 and its potential oncogenic role in this species.

Occurrence of Typical Domestic Animal Viruses in Wild Carnivorans: An Emerging Threat to the Conservation of Endangered Species

“…Wild brazilian felids have also been associated with feline herpesvirus infections [44]. Gammaherpesviruses (Orthoherpesviridae family, Gammaherpesvirinae subfamily) have a preference for targeting host lymphocyte cell populations, and their infection may result in morbidity or mortality, with a high prevalence observed in wild felids [45,46].…”