Detection of pathogenic elephant endotheliotropic herpesvirus in routine trunk washes from healthy adult Asian elephants (Elephas maximus) by use of a real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction assay.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the pathogenesis and transmission of elephant endotheliotropic herpesvirus (EEHV1) by analyzing various elephant fluid samples with a novel EEHV1-specific real-time PCR assay.


METHODS
5 apparently healthy captive Asian elephants (Elephas maximus) from the same herd.


METHODS
A real-time PCR assay was developed that specifically detects EEHV1. The assay was used to evaluate paired whole blood and trunk-wash samples obtained from the 5 elephants during a 15-week period. Deoxyribonucleic acid sequencing and viral gene subtyping analysis were performed on trunk-wash DNA preparations that had positive results for EEHV1. Viral gene subtypes were compared with those associated with past fatal cases of herpesvirus-associated disease within the herd.


RESULTS
The PCR assay detected viral DNA to a level of 1,200 copies/mL of whole blood. It was used to detect EEHV1 in trunk secretions of 3 of the 5 elephants surveyed during the 15-week period. Viral gene subtyping analysis identified 2 distinct elephant herpesviruses, 1 of which was identical to the virus associated with a previous fatal case of herpesvirus-associated disease within the herd.


CONCLUSIONS
EEHV1 was shed in the trunk secretions of healthy Asian elephants. Trunk secretions may provide a mode of transmission for this virus. Results of this study may be useful for the diagnosis, treatment, and management of EEHV1-associated disease and the overall management of captive elephant populations.
Stanton
Jeffrey J
JJ
Department of Molecular Virology and Microbiology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA.
Zong
Jian-Chao
JC
Latimer
Erin
E
Tan
Jie
J
Herron
Alan
A
Hayward
Gary S
GS
Ling
Paul D
PD
D000818:Animals; D001483:Base Sequence; D003001:Cloning, Molecular; D017931:DNA Primers; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000097:blood / Q000235:genetics*; D004606:Elephants / Q000097:blood / Q000821:virology*; D005784:Gene Amplification; D005814:Genes, Viral; D016679:Genome, Viral; D005838:Genotype; D006564:Herpesviridae / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D009169:Mycobacterium tuberculosis / Q000302:isolation & purification; D016366:Open Reading Frames; D010957:Plasmids / Q000235:genetics; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000379:methods / Q000662:veterinary; D012016:Reference Values; D016415:Sequence Alignment; D012689:Sequence Homology, Nucleic Acid
D017931:DNA Primers; D004279:DNA, Viral