title: Fatal epizootic equine herpesvirus 1 infections in new and unnatural hosts.
abstract: In a zoological collection, four black bears (Ursus americanus) died from neurological disease within six months. Independently in a geographically different zoo, two Thomson's gazelles (Eudorcas thomsoni) and 18 guinea pigs (Cavia porcellus f. dom.) suffered from neurological disorders. In addition, guinea pigs showed abortions and stillbirths. All affected animals displayed a non suppurative meningoencephalitis with intranuclear inclusion bodies. Immunohistology demonstrated equine herpes virus antigen and ultrastructurally herpes viral particles were detected. Virus isolation and molecular analysis identified neurotropic equine herpesvirus (EHV) 1 strains in both epizootics. There is serological evidence of a possible virus transmission from other equids to the affected animals. Cross-species transmission of EHV-1 should be considered in the management of captive wild equids and ungulates, particularly with respect to fatal disease in irreplaceable species.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, University of Veterinary Medicine, Bünteweg 17, D-30559 Hannover, Germany. Peter.Wohlsein@tiho-hannover.de
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Wohlsein
authors.forename: Annika
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Lehmbecker
authors.forename: Ingo
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Spitzbarth
authors.forename: Dorothee
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Algermissen
authors.forename: Wolfgang
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Baumgärtner
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Böer
authors.forename: Maja
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kummrow
authors.forename: Ludwig
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Haas
authors.forename: Beatrice
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Grummer
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000836:Animals, Zoo / Q000821:virology*; D000866:Antelopes / Q000821:virology; D001483:Base Sequence; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D005260:Female; D006168:Guinea Pigs / Q000821:virology; D006566:Herpesviridae Infections / Q000473:pathology / Q000635:transmission / Q000662:veterinary* / Q000821:virology; D004861:Herpesvirus 1, Equid / Q000302:isolation & purification* / Q000472:pathogenicity; D058507:Host Specificity; D008297:Male; D008590:Meningoencephalitis / Q000473:pathology / Q000821:virology*; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D011247:Pregnancy; D011251:Pregnancy Complications, Infectious / Q000821:virology; D001503:Ursidae / Q000821:virology