Herpesvirus Infections in Rock Hyraxes (Procavia Capensis)

Abstract

Abstract. Seven juveniles and 3 adults from a closed group of 19 rock hyraxes (Procavia capensis) housed in a zoo's indoor rock exhibit died or were euthanized after developing blepharoconjunctivitis and orofacial ulcers over a 2-week period. Histopathologic examination of dermal ulcers and ulcerated tongues revealed amphophilic to basophilic intranuclear inclusion bodies in epithelial cells bordering ulcers. Epithelial cells with inclusion bodies were often characterized by cytomegaly and karyomegaly, and many cells had formed syncytia. Examination of inclusion bodies in tongue epithelium by transmission electron microscopy revealed icosahedral nucleocapsids, approximately 80-95 nm in diameter, with morphologic features consistent with herpesvirus. Cytopathic effect (CPE) typical of alphaherpesvirus infection was seen in bovine turbinate, equine dermal, and Vero cell monolayers after inoculation with homogenates of the skin lesions, but CPE was not seen after inoculation onto Madin-Darby canine kidney or swine testicle cell monolayers. Polymerase chain reaction analysis using degenerate primers that targeted a portion of the herpesvirus polymerase gene generated a product of approximately 227 base pairs. The product was cloned, sequenced, and then analyzed using BLAST. At the nucleotide level, there was 86%, 77%, and 76% shared identity with Eidolon herpesvirus 1, Human herpesviruses 1 and 2, and Cercopithecine herpesvirus 2, respectively. Herpesvirus infections in rock hyraxes have not been characterized. The data presented in the current study suggest that a novel alphaherpesvirus caused the lesions seen in these rock hyraxes. The molecular characteristics of this virus would tentatively support its inclusion in the genus Simplexvirus.

A RETROSPECTIVE STUDY OF PATHOLOGIC FINDINGS IN CAPTIVE ROCK HYRAX (PROCAVIA CAPENSIS) IN THE UNITED STATES

“…Herpesvirus infection has been reported in captive rock hyrax. 11 Submitting veterinarians suspected four rock hyrax to have herpesvirus as they presented with clinical signs of blepharoconjunctivitis and orofacial ulcers similar to those in the other study, but three of them did not contain intranuclear inclusions consistent with herpesvirus infection. As with any retrospective study, there were limitations to the study design.…”

Hyrocoidea (Hyraxes)

“…The general aspects of this presentation have been attributed to a suspected herpesvirus. 7 After this outbreak ended, additional deaths have not been seen in the collection. Clinical presentation, which was generally acute, included blepharoconjunctivitis (Figure 54-2) and blisterlike lesions on the tongue, mouth, and face (Figure 54-3).…”

Fatal systemic toxoplasmosis in a rock hyrax (Procavia capensis)

“…There are few reports on infectious diseases in rock hyraxes, namely mycobacteriosis,3 4 Bartonella rochalimae ,5 demodicosis,6 7 leptospirosis7 and herpesviral infections 8. Commonly reported non‐infectious diseases include interstitial nephritis,9 degenerative cardiomyopathy7 and hepatic haemosiderosis 7.…”