A novel herpesvirus associated with chronic superficial keratitis and proliferative conjunctivitis in a great horned owl (Bubo virginianus)

Abstract

An adult great-horned owl (Bubo virginianus; GHOW) presented with a history of recurrent corneal ulceration of the right eye (OD). Findings included ulcerative superficial keratitis, proliferative conjunctivitis, and iris pigmentary changes. The ulcer was initially nonresponsive to medical therapy, but showed rapid and appropriate healing following diamond burr debridement. Proliferative conjunctivitis markedly improved following topical antiviral therapy with cidofovir 1%, interferon alpha 2B ophthalmic solutions, and oral l-lysine. Histopathologic evaluation of a conjunctival biopsy revealed epithelial features suspicious for viral cytopathic changes and intranuclear structures suspicious for viral inclusions, suggestive of a possible viral-induced papillomatous conjunctivitis. A novel alphaherpesvirus, referred to as Strigid Herpesvirus 1 (StrHV1), was identified using PCR and gene sequencing. This case represents a new clinical manifestation of a previously unreported herpesvirus in the GHOW. Identification of the herpes virus was critical to administration of appropriate therapy and resolution of the conjunctivitis, and corneal epithelial debridement promoted resolution of the chronic corneal epithelial defect.

Herpesvirus Infection in a Breeding Population of Two Coexisting Strix Owls

“…Although that some studies have suggested that raptors may contract the infection and consequently disease through the oral route by ingesting CoHV 1 infected pigeons [ 7 ], the detection of the partial sequence of herpesvirus DNA polymerase gene in healthy owls raises the question whether all herpesvirus infections in this species [ 7 , 24 ] cause illness with a fatal outcome in some cases. GaHV 2, also known as Marek’s disease virus [ 11 ], CoHV 1 [ 7 , 10 , 11 ], StHV 1 [ 16 ], and the herpesviruses detected in our previous [ 11 ] and present study are currently known herpesviruses in owls. They are genetically different, and it could be possible that some of them, such as CoHV 1, are a more fatal threat to owls than others, and also that they could differ from each other in transmission and pathogenesis.…”

“…The herpesvirus sequences detected in Ural owls were grouped together with herpesvirus sequences detected in a dead free-living Eurasian eagle owl, Ural owl, and long eared owl ( Asio otus ) from our previous study [ 11 ], and in live free-living great horned owl ( Bubo virginianus ) from the United States [ 16 ], suggesting that this herpesvirus is spread transcontinental. Although, it seems that this herpesvirus infects only species within group Striginae, which is a monophyletic clade [ 43 ] with owls from the genus Bubo and Strix being most closely related [ 44 ], what additionally supports our and previous findings.…”

“…The clinical signs of herpesviruses infections in owls, known as inclusion body disease or herpesvirus hepatitis, appear as general depression and anorexia before death or sudden death [ 15 ]. In addition, more specific clinical signs such as ulcerative superficial keratitis, proliferative conjunctivitis, and iris pigmentary changes have been described [ 16 ]. Hepatitis and disseminated focal necrosis in the liver, spleen, and bone marrow are most commonly seen in owls dying of herpesvirus infections [ 13 ].…”

A novel herpesvirus from a wild-caught Madagascar spider tortoise shows evidence of host-viral coevolution with a duplication event in Durocryptodira

“…19 Phylogenetic study of herpesviruses suggests that each herpesvirus is closely associated with, and highly adapted to, a single host species. 4,7,9 This suggests that the viruses have often coevolved with their hosts over long periods of time. Coevolution is supported by the corresponding branching patterns of mammalian herpesviruses and their hosts, although it is less well-studied in reptiles.…”

A novel herpesvirus in a white stork associated with splenic and hepatic necrosis

“…A similar and statistically supported relationship has been reported for strigid herpesvirus 1, a novel herpesvirus that was found to also cluster with CicAHV-1 in our study. 5 In addition, ML bootstrap values are likely artificially low given the use of several partial amino acid sequences. There are now several avian alphaherpesviruses that diverge near the root of the mammalian alphaherpesviruses; additional sequencing of these viruses and taxa in this area is expected to provide insight into the ancestral virus that jumped into mammals.…”