Four Asian elephants were confirmed to be infected with Mycobacterium tuberculosis by bacterial culture, other diagnostic procedures, and sequencing of 16S–23S rDNA internal transcribed spacer region, 16S rRNA, and gyrase B gene sequences. Genotyping showed that the infectious agents originated from 4 sources in Thailand. To identify infections, a combination of diagnostic assays is essential.

Elephant endotheliotropic herpesvirus (EEHV) is one of the most devastating viral infectious diseases in elephants worldwide. To date, it remains unclear how elephants get infected by the virus, where the virus persists, and what mechanisms drive the pathogenesis of the disease. The present study was aimed to develop an antibody against glycoprotein B (gB) of EEHV, investigate the EEHV tissue tropisms, and provide the possible routes of EEHV transmission in Asian elephants. Samples from elephant organs that had died from EEHV1A and EEHV4 infections, peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) from EEHV4- and non-EEHV-infected calves were used in this study. The results of western immunoblotting indicated that the antibody can be used for detection of gB antigens in both EEHV1A- and EEHV4-infected samples. Immunohistochemical detection indicated that the EEHV gB antigens were distributed mainly in the epithelial cells of the salivary glands, stomach and intestines. Immunofluorescence test of PBMC for EEHV gB in the EEHV4-infected calf indicated that the virus was observed predominantly in the mononuclear phagocytic cells. The findings in the present study unveil tissue tropisms in the EEHV1A- and EEHV4-infected calves and point out that saliva and intestinal content are likely sources for virus transmission in EEHV-infected Asian elephants.

Understanding molecular epidemiology is essential for the improvement of lumpy skin disease (LSD) eradication and control strategies. The objective of this study was to perform a molecular characterization and phylogenetic analysis of lumpy skin disease virus (LSDV) isolated from dairy cows presenting LSD-like clinical signs in northern Thailand. The skin nodules were collected from 26 LSD-suspected cows involved in six outbreaks during the period from July to September of 2021. LSDVs were confirmed from clinical samples using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The PCR-positive samples were subsequently amplified and sequenced using a G-protein-coupled chemokine receptor (GPCR) gene for molecular characterization and phylogenetic analyses. All 26 samples were positive for LSDV by PCR. A phylogenetic analysis indicated that the 24 LSDV isolates obtained from cattle in northern Thailand were closely related to other LSDV sequences acquired from Asia (China, Hong Kong, and Vietnam). On the other hand, two LSDV isolates of the cows presenting LSD-like clinical signs after vaccination were clustered along with LSDV Neethling-derived vaccines. The outcomes of this research will be beneficial in developing effective control strategies for LSDV.

Abstract. A newly observed syndrome characterized by progressive weight loss, pallor, and high mortality was reported in many swine herds across Thailand from February through May 2007. To determine the cause of the new syndrome, 5 pigs, 4-8 weeks of age, were submitted to the diagnostic laboratory for necropsy examination. All 5 pigs were underweight, with pallor and rough coats. The kidneys of all 5 pigs were yellowish and slightly swollen, with precipitation of crystalline material on the cut surface. Histologically, epithelial degeneration and necrosis were evident in proximal and distal tubules and collecting ducts. Round, yellow-brown crystals with radiating striations were diffusely distributed through the lumen of proximal and distal tubules and collecting ducts. Blood urea nitrogen and creatinine levels were elevated. Melamine and analogs, including cyanuric acid, were detected by gas chromatography mass spectrometry. The evidence reported here suggests that melamine-and cyanuric acid-adulterated feed caused renal failure in these pigs.

Elephant endotheliotropic herpesvirus (EEHV) is an infection associated with fatal hemorrhagic disease in young Asian elephants ( Elephas maximus). This brief communication describes the postmortem evaluation of two Asian elephant calves diagnosed with EEHV4 and EEHV1A in conjunction with Clostridium perfringens infection. Case 1 was a 7-mo-old, male captive-born Asian elephant that developed diarrhea and died 2 days after clinical presentation. Examination of the heart, lungs, liver, and spleen revealed predominantly basophilic intranuclear inclusion bodies in the endothelial cells of the blood vessels. Case 2 was a 3-mo-old, female wild-born Asian elephant that showed signs of lethargy, anorexia, and convulsions and died 6 hr after clinical presentation. No intranuclear inclusion bodies were observed. The heart, lung, liver, and spleen of both calves tested positive for EEHV by polymerase chain reaction. Phylogenetic analysis identified EEHV4 and EEHV1A in Case 1 and 2, respectively. Additionally, liver, spleen, and hemorrhagic intestinal tissue samples tested positive for C. perfringens α, β, and ε toxins. This is the first reported case to describe coinfection of EEHV and C. perfringens in Asian elephant calves.

Elephant endotheliotropic herpesvirus (EEHV) is one of the most important viral infectious diseases affecting the elephant population worldwide, especially juveniles and young adults. We developed a chromogenic in situ hybridization (ISH) test for detection of EEHV in Asian elephants ( Elephas maximus). Digoxigenin (DIG) DNA probes from the polymerase and terminase genes of EEHV were synthesized using a PCR DIG-labeling method, and detection of hybridized probe to target EEHV DNA was carried out by anti-DIG immunolabeling. Distribution of EEHV-1A and EEHV-4 genomes was found to be prominent in mononuclear phagocytic cells of spleen and endothelial cells of visceral organs. ISH enables the detection of EEHV infection and has applications in understanding pathogenesis of EEHV in Asian elephants.

Elephant endotheliotropic herpesvirus-hemorrhagic disease (EEHV-HD) is an acute fatal disease in elephants. Despite the fact that the underlying pathogenesis of EEHV-HD has been proposed, it remains undetermined as to what mechanisms drive these hemorrhagic and edematous lesions. In the present study, we have investigated and explained the pathogenesis of acute EEHV-HD using blood profiles of EEHV-HD and EEHV-infected cases, hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) stain, special stains, immunohistochemistry, quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). It was found that EEHV genomes were predominantly detected in various internal organs of EEHV-HD cases. Damage to endothelial cells, vasculitis and vascular thrombosis of the small blood vessels were also predominantly observed. Increases in platelet endothelial cell adhesion molecules-1 (PECAM-1)- and von Willebrand factor (vWF)-immunolabeling positive cells were significantly noticed in injured blood vessels. The expression of pro-inflammatory cytokine mRNA was significantly up-regulated in EEHV-HD cases when compared to EEHV-negative controls. We have hypothesized that this could be attributed to the systemic inflammation and disruption of small blood vessels, followed by the disseminated intravascular coagulopathy that enhanced hemorrhagic and edematous lesions in EEHV-HD cases. Our findings have brought attention to the potential application of effective preventive and therapeutic protocols to treat EEHV infection in Asian elephants.

A 9-yr-old male meerkat (Suricata suricatta) living in captivity, with a history of anorexia, lethargy, and weight loss, was examined postmortem. Physical examination revealed poor body condition, dehydration, and icteric mucous membranes. Macroscopically, white to yellowish, multinodulated masses were found protruding from the liver. These multinodular masses were also observed in all lobes of the lungs and the mediastinal lymph nodes. Microscopic examination revealed tumors with well-circumscribed, atypical proliferating cuboidal to columnar bile duct epithelial layers arranged in solid sheets and papillary patterns. The neoplastic masses were separated by dense fibrous connective tissues and invaded the normal parenchyma. Periodic acid-Schiff-positive material was occasionally found within the lumen of tubuloacinar structures. Immunohistochemical labeling revealed that neoplastic cells were intensely positive for pan-cytokeratin, but negative for vimentin. Based on the macroscopic and microscopic findings, intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma was diagnosed. This is the first report describing cholangiocarcinoma in a meerkat.