Outbreak of canine parvovirus 2b and Clostridium difficile infection in Asian small-clawed otters

Abstract

A concurrent outbreak of infection by canine parvovirus 2b (CPV-2b) and Clostridium difficile producing A and/or B toxins occurred in Asian small-clawed otters ( Amblonyx cinereus). The 5 clinically affected otters were 6- to 24-mo-old intact females that had severe diarrhea, dehydration, were acutely comatose, and died 1–4 d after the onset of clinical signs. Postmortem examination was performed in 3 of 7 otters. Macroscopically, the small intestine was diffusely reddened and contained red-to-brown, malodorous, watery digesta without formed feces (3 of 3). Histologic examination identified loss of enterocytes and necrosis of crypt epithelial cells. Denuded villi were often covered by mixed bacterial colonies with a predominance of gram-positive cocci to short rods in addition to larger gram-positive and -negative rods. There was also splenic lymphoid follicle depletion (2 of 3). Immunofluorescence assay revealed CPV antigen in enterocytes (2 of 3), mesenteric lymph nodes (3 of 3), and spleen (1 of 3). Immunohistochemistry revealed CPV antigen in enterocytes, lymphocytes, and dendritic cells of the Peyer patches and spleen (3 of 3), and lingual epithelial cells (1 of 2). CPV was isolated from tissues from 2 of 3 otters, and DNA sequencing identified CPV-2b for the 1 isolate tested. C. difficile producing A and/or B toxins were identified in the intestinal content by ELISA (3 of 3). To our knowledge, an outbreak of CPV-2b infection and C. difficile with clinically significant gastrointestinal disease has not been described previously in otters. The source of the viral infections remains unknown; however, these agents should be considered in otters and other mesocarnivores with similar clinical and pathologic findings.

Bacterial and Viral Co-Infection in the Intestine: Competition Scenario and Their Effect on Host Immunity

“…Diarrhea is one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality in humans globally [1], which has a greater impact on children under 5 years of age [2][3][4]. In addition to human disease, various poultry and domestic animals lose their economic value due to diarrhea [5][6][7][8]. Gastrointestinal infections can be caused by a variety of pathogens, such as bacteria, viruses, and parasites.…”

Intestinal T-cell lymphoma in an Asian small-clawed otter: case report and literature review of lymphoma in the subfamily Lutrinae

“…11,14 The most common pathologic condition in Asian smallclawed otters is nephrolithiasis. 10,20 Infectious diseases such as infection by canine parvovirus 2a (Carnivore protoparvovirus 1), 14 or canine parvovirus 2b and Clostridioides difficile coinfection, 16 have been reported. Dirofilariasis (Dirofilaria immitis), 15 visceral pentastomiasis, 3 osteoporosis, 5 and cyanide toxicosis caused by ingestion of loquat (Eriobotrya japonica), 18 have also been described.…”

New canine parvovirus 2a infection in an imported Asian small-clawed otter (<i>Aonyx cinereus</i>) in Japan

“…Bleeding as a result of the gastric ulceration was associated with vomiting due to CPV infection, which resulted in anemia that may have been the primary cause of death. Parvovirus-induced disease could cause a predisposition to secondary infections, potentially increasing mortality rates [ 26 ]. Candida spp.…”

“…CPV-2a or CPV-2b infections have been described in Asian small-clawed otters in the US [ 8 , 26 ]. To the best of the author’s knowledge, this is the first report of new CPV-2a infection in Asian small-clawed otters, and new CPV-2a infection should be considered in cases involving gastrointestinal symptoms in this otter species.…”