Malignant Catarrhal Fever in Free-Ranging Cervids Associated With Ovhv-2 and CPHV-2 Dna

Abstract

ABSTRACT:Pathologic lesions were summarized in 18 free-ranging cervids (15 moose [Alces alces], two roe deer [Capreolus capreolus], and one red deer [Cervus elaphus]) diagnosed with malignant catarrhal fever (MCF) after examination at the National Veterinary Institute, Oslo 1982Oslo -2005. Eye lesions (conjunctivitis, corneal opacity, fibrin clots in the anterior eye chamber) were the most frequent gross finding. Erosive-ulcerative mucosal lesions in the nose and mouth were also commonly found. Histopathology revealed a nonpurulent vasculitis and perivasculitis in the central nervous system (CNS) typical of MCF in 16 of the cases. The diagnosis in the remaining two animals was based upon histologic eye lesions consistent with MCF (CNS not available for examination). Polymerase chain reaction was run on samples from 15 individuals for evidence of MCF-virus DNA, and ovine herpesvirus-2 (OvHV-2) DNA was detected in five moose, one roe deer, and one red deer, and caprine herpesvirus-2 (CpHV-2) DNA was detected in two moose and one roe deer. Sera from 1,000 free-ranging cervids were tested for specific antibodies to MCFassociated viruses (MCFV) by competitive inhibition enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The seroprevalences were: red deer 5%, reindeer (Rangifer tarandus) 4%, roe deer 2%, and moose 0.4% (n5250 for all four species). The results indicate that sheep and goat MCFV may cause serious disease in wild moose, roe deer, and red deer. The seropositive cervids most likely represent individuals infected with either OvHV-2 or CpHV-2, but may also reflect infections with other related MCFV.

A Geographic Cluster of Malignant Catarrhal Fever in Moose (Alces alces) in Norway

“…We know less about the occurrence and epidemiology of MCF among free-ranging cervids, reports being restricted to moose (Alces alces), red deer (Cervus elaphus), and roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) from Scandinavia (Warsame and Steen 1989;Vikøren et al 2006) and moose and mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus) from North America (Schultheiss et al 2007;Neimanis et al 2009). Malignant catarrhal fever is caused by a group of gammaherpesviruses known collectively as MCF viruses (MCFV).…”

“…Clinically normal sheep carry OvHV-2 worldwide and transmit the virus to susceptible species like cervids. Caprine herpesvirus 2 carried by goats has been identified in a few cervids with MCF (Vikøren et al 2006). Wild cervids are probably infected when they reside close to sheep or goats on pasture.…”

“…Several reports describe lethal MCF in moose and, in Norway, the disease is much less common in red and roe deer, which could imply that moose are particularly susceptible (Warsame and Steen 1989;Vikøren et al 2006;Neimanis et al 2009). The low prevalence of MCFV antibody (#1%) in moose indicates that infection is often lethal and that subclinical infection or recovery is rare (Zarnke et al 2002;Vikøren et al 2006).…”

“…The low prevalence of MCFV antibody (#1%) in moose indicates that infection is often lethal and that subclinical infection or recovery is rare (Zarnke et al 2002;Vikøren et al 2006). Latent MCFV infection in clinically susceptible hosts is documented in deer (Tham 1997;Li et al 2003), but is poorly understood.…”

“…Latent MCFV infection in clinically susceptible hosts is documented in deer (Tham 1997;Li et al 2003), but is poorly understood. Antibody prevalences in red deer have ranged from 0% to 27% (Li et al 1996;Frö lich et al 1998;Zarnke et al 2002;Vikøren et al 2006), suggesting that previous exposure or subclinical or latent infection is more common in red deer than in moose.…”