title: Longitudinal study of Asian elephants, Elephas maximus, indicates intermittent shedding of elephant endotheliotropic herpesvirus 1 during pregnancy.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  EEHV-1 is a viral infection of elephants that has been associated with a fatal haemorrhagic syndrome in Asian elephants. Previous studies have suggested that pregnant animals may shed more virus than non-pregnant animals.
  
  
  METHODS
  This study examined whether pregnancy affected the frequency or magnitude of shedding of elephant endotheliotropic herpesvirus 1 (EEHV1) using Taq man real-time PCR on trunk washes from four female elephants from a UK collection over three time periods between 2011 and 2014. These periods included pregnancies in two animals (period 1 and period 3). Behavioural observations made by keepers were also assessed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  During period 1 there was a high degree of social hierarchical instability which led to a hierarchy change, and was associated with aggressive behaviour. Also during period 1 EEHV-1 shedding was of a higher magnitude and frequency than in the latter two time periods.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These results suggest that there is no clear relationship between shedding and pregnancy, and that behavioural stressors may be related to an increase in EEHV-1 shedding.
authors.affiliation: School of Veterinary Medicine and Science, University of Nottingham , Sutton Bonington Campus, Loughborough , LE12 5RD, UK.
authors.forename: Laura
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Bennett
authors.affiliation: School of Veterinary Medicine and Science, University of Nottingham , Sutton Bonington Campus, Loughborough , LE12 5RD, UK.
authors.forename: Stephen
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Dunham
authors.affiliation: School of Veterinary Medicine and Science, University of Nottingham , Sutton Bonington Campus, Loughborough , LE12 5RD, UK.
authors.forename: Lisa
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Yon
authors.affiliation: Twycross Zoo , Burton Road, Atherstone, Warwickshire , CV9 3PX, UK.
authors.forename: Sarah
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Chapman
authors.affiliation: School of Veterinary Medicine and Science, University of Nottingham , Sutton Bonington Campus, Loughborough , LE12 5RD, UK.
authors.forename: Megan
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kenaghan
authors.affiliation: School of Veterinary Medicine and Science, University of Nottingham , Sutton Bonington Campus, Loughborough , LE12 5RD, UK.
authors.forename: Laura
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Purdie
authors.affiliation: School of Veterinary Medicine and Science, University of Nottingham , Sutton Bonington Campus, Loughborough , LE12 5RD, UK.
authors.forename: Rachael
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Tarlinton
keywords: Elephants; Herpesviruses; Virology; Viruses; Zoo animals