title: Necrotizing encephalitis of unknown cause in Fennoscandian Arctic foxes (Alopex lagopus).
abstract: A neurologic disease affected a colony of endangered Fennoscandian arctic foxes (Alopex lagopus) kept in captivity for breeding purposes. Several outbreaks of disease occurred between 1994 and 2004. The clinical signs included ataxia, indications of anosmia, blindness, and abnormal behavior. The disease was characterized by severe necrotizing encephalitis affecting mostly the cranial cerebrum, basal ganglia, and olfactory bulbs. Investigations to identify the etiology of the disease included testing for several infectious agents known to cause encephalitis in carnivores. Tests for Toxoplasma gondii, Encephalitozoon cuniculi, Neospora caninum, canine distemper virus, rabies, adenovirus type 1, Borna disease virus, and Listeria monocytogenes were negative. The colony was closed, and the cause of the disease remains undetermined.
authors: Safety Assessment, Astra Zeneca R&D Södertälje, Södertälje, Sweden.
authors: Anna-Lena
authors: AL
authors: Berg
authors: Dolores
authors: D
authors: Gavier-Widén
authors: Kristina
authors: K
authors: Nilsson
authors: Frederik
authors: F
authors: Widén
authors: Mikael
authors: M
authors: Berg
authors: Sune
authors: S
authors: Gregorius
authors: Erik
authors: E
authors: Agren
authors: Maria
authors: M
authors: Erlandsson
authors: Torsten
authors: T
authors: Mörner
mesh_terms: D000820:Animal Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology; D000818:Animals; D001921:Brain / Q000473:pathology; D004660:Encephalitis / Q000473:pathology / Q000662:veterinary*; D005387:Finland; D005589:Foxes; D012537:Scandinavian and Nordic Countries