Identification of a novel gammaherpesvirus associated with (muco)cutaneous lesions in harbour porpoises (Phocoena phocoena)

Abstract

Herpesviruses infect a wide range of vertebrates, including toothed whales of the order Cetacea. One of the smallest toothed whales is the harbour porpoise (Phocoena phocoena), which is widespread in the coastal waters of the northern hemisphere, including the North Sea. Here, we describe the detection and phylogenetic analysis of a novel gammaherpesvirus associated with mucocutaneous and skin lesions in stranded harbour porpoises along the Dutch coast, tentatively designated phocoenid herpesvirus 1 (PhoHV1). Phylogenetically, PhoHV1 forms a monophyletic clade with all other gammaherpesviruses described in toothed whales (Odontoceti) to date, suggesting a common evolutionary origin.

Central nervous system disease and genital disease in harbor porpoises (Phocoena phocoena) are associated with different herpesviruses

“…In this study, we demonstrated infection of live-stranded harbor porpoises with three different herpesviruses: PPHV-1, previously identified by van Beurden et al [ 10 ], and the newly discovered PPHV-2 and PPHV-3. Of these three herpesviruses, the most important as a mortality factor for harbor porpoises was PPHV-2, which was associated with severe encephalitis in a juvenile female harbor porpoise (animal #2; Table 1 ).…”

“…By PCR, herpesvirus DNA (PPHV-1) was detected in kidney, mammary gland cyst, skeletal muscle and urinary bladder samples of this porpoise. The viral DNA polymerase 372 bp amplicon showed 100% identity with a gammaherpesvirus detected in another harbor porpoise from the Netherlands [ 10 ] (Figure 3 ). Other tissues from porpoise #6 (including brain, clitoral plaque, liver, lung and spleen) all tested negative for herpesvirus DNA by PCR.…”

“…This includes cetaceans, in several species of which herpesvirus infections have been documented. Herpesvirus-associated lesions in cetaceans range from mucosal and/or cutaneous lesions [ 8 – 10 ] to encephalitis [ 11 – 13 ] and disseminated systemic disease [ 14 ]. Mucosal lesions have been associated with Gammaherpesvirinae [ 9 ], encephalitis and disseminated systemic disease have been associated with Alphaherpesvirinae [ 11 , 12 , 14 ], and cutaneous lesions have been associated with Alphaherpesvirinae and Gammaherpesvirinae [ 9 , 10 ].…”

“…Herpesvirus-associated lesions in cetaceans range from mucosal and/or cutaneous lesions [ 8 – 10 ] to encephalitis [ 11 – 13 ] and disseminated systemic disease [ 14 ]. Mucosal lesions have been associated with Gammaherpesvirinae [ 9 ], encephalitis and disseminated systemic disease have been associated with Alphaherpesvirinae [ 11 , 12 , 14 ], and cutaneous lesions have been associated with Alphaherpesvirinae and Gammaherpesvirinae [ 9 , 10 ]. Despite the fact that the harbor porpoise is a relatively common cetacean species and many stranded individuals in several countries have been autopsied [ 15 – 17 ], the only reported herpesvirus infections are a case of encephalitis associated with herpesviral antigen expression in affected neurons [ 12 ], and several cases of dermatitis, in which a gammaherpesvirus, tentatively named Phocoenid herpesvirus-1, was detected by PCR [ 10 ].…”

Emerging viruses in marine mammals.

“…The number of marine mammal alpha and gamma HVs detected in the past 10 years has grown substantially and unique features of HV-associated disease such as viral latency are being further defined and elucidated [109,110]. To this end, in-depth references and comprehensive reviews of marine mammal HVs can be found in Duignan et al [46], Maness et al [111] and van Beurden et al [112]. A summary overview of characterized marine mammal HVs for which there appears to be an association with a clinical presentation or pathology is provided in Table 1.…”