Fatal infection caused by a genetically distinct elephant endotheliotropic herpesvirus type 5 in a captive Asian elephant in Germany
We have detected EEHV5 in a fatal disease case of a male Asian elephant. Whole genome sequencing revealed substantial differences of our DNA isolate compared to available EEHV5 sequences. This report of fatal haemorrhagic disease associated with EEHV5 infection should raise awareness for EEHV5 as an important elephant pathogen. Genome sequencing and downstream SNPs analysis will further encourage future research to understand genetic diversity, pathogenesis and virulence of EEHVs with respect to developing new diagnostic methods, prophylactic strategies, and implementation of surveillance and control measures.
Authors
- Jakob Trimpert (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1616-0810)
- Susanne Holtze (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4654-1916)
- Azza Abdelgawad (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8165-828X)
- Michael Flügger
- Thomas B. Hildebrandt (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8685-4733)
- Adriane Prahl
- Claudia A. Szentiks
- Mariana Moura Nascimento (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0874-5977)
Institutions
- Kansas State University (US)
- Lundbeck (Germany) (DE)
- Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research (DE)
- Freie Universität Berlin (DE)
Publication Details
- Journal
- Virology Journal
- Published
- 2024-09-16
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1186/s12985-024-02477-w
- Citations
- 2
- Primary Topic
- Herpesvirus Infections and Treatments
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 0.77
Funders
- Freie Universität Berlin
- Leibniz-Institut für Zoo- und Wildtierforschung
- Leibniz-Gemeinschaft