Enteric coronavirus infection in a juvenile dromedary (Camelus dromedarius).
A case of an enteric coronavirus infection in a 6-week-old dromedary calf is described. The animal had diarrhea for 5 days and died despite symptomatic treatment. Numerous viral particles, approximately 140 nm in diameter, with club-like projections were detected in the feces by electron microscopy. These characteristics were consistent with a coronavirus. Immunohistochemical reactivity with 2 antigenic group II coronavirus-specific antibodies confirmed the presence of viral antigen in colonic epithelial cells. The death of the animal was attributed to a neutrophilic and emphysematous colitis that likely was caused by an infection with a Clostridium sp.
Wünschmann
Arno
A
Department of Veterinary Diagnostic Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Minnesota, St Paul 55108, USA.
Frank
Rodney
R
Pomeroy
Kem
K
Kapil
Sanjay
S
D000818:Animals; D002162:Camelus / Q000821:virology*; D003015:Clostridium Infections / Q000150:complications / Q000473:pathology; D003092:Colitis / Q000150:complications / Q000473:pathology; D017934:Coronavirus / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000648:ultrastructure; D018352:Coronavirus Infections / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology / Q000662:veterinary* / Q000821:virology; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D005243:Feces / Q000821:virology; D005260:Female; D007410:Intestinal Diseases / Q000473:pathology / Q000662:veterinary* / Q000821:virology*