Parainfluenza and corona viruses in a fallow deer (Dama dama) with fatal respiratory disease

Abstract

Parainfluenza virus type 3 (PIV-3) and coronaviruses (CoV) are commonly found in respiratory tracts of ruminants and capable of causing clinical disease. Here, we investigated the cause of ill-thrift and sudden death in a five-month-old male fallow deer which occurred in December 2019. The calf was one of the five calves in a herd of 170 deer that, along with three adult hinds, died during a 2-week period. The deer calves were in a shed, sharing airspace with young cattle that had been reported to be coughing. Significant gross pathology was observed in the respiratory and alimentary tracts of the deer calf and histopathology of the lung and trachea was suggestive of likely involvement of PIV-3. Strong and specific cytoplasmic labeling of bronchiolar epithelium and terminal airway, alike those seen with PIV-3 pneumonia in cattle, was observed using a polyclonal bovine PIV-3 antibody. Metagenomic analysis detected a PIV-3 and a CoV in the lung tissue. The PIV-3 L protein gene had the highest sequence identity with those of bovine PIV-3 (83.1 to 98.4%) and phylogenetically clustered with bovine PIV-3 in the genotype C. The CoV spike protein gene shared 96.7% to 97.9% sequence identity with those of bovine CoVs, but only 53.1% identity with SARS-CoV-2 reference virus. We believe this is the first report of PIV-3 and CoV co-infection in fallow deer and their association with fatal pneumonia; major pathology caused by PIV-3.

Isolation and Genomic Characterization of a Chinese Genotype C Bovine Parainfluenza Virus Type 3 from Cattle and Its Pathogenicity in C57BL/6 Mice

“…Then, phylogenetic analysis based on the complete genomes of BPIV-3 confirmed the presence of three existing genotypes (A, B, and C), and a novel genotype consisted of strains from the United Arab Emirates. Furthermore, as previously reported, bovine-like parainfluenza virus 3 was also found in camels [28], fallow deer [29], swine [30,31], and even wild boar [32], suggesting the complex genetic diversity and potential cross-species infection characteristics of BPIV-3. Consistent with the previous study [16], all the existing Chinese strains in the GenBank database were distributed in the branches of genotype A, B and C, but most of the strains and the BPIV-3 SC isolated in this study were distributed in genotype C. Interestingly, BPIV-3 SC and other Chinese strains in genotype C were closely related and clustered together, suggesting a close evolutionary relationship between Chinese genotype C strains.…”

Prevalence of coronaviruses in European bison (Bison bonasus) in Poland

“…Although respiratory lesions are the most commonly observed in European bison 45 , there is no evidence that they may be related to coronavirus infection, as we only found BCoV shedding in individuals not displaying them. However, despite this, the highest seroprevalence was observed for European bison eliminated for health reasons and those that died in accidents, thus possibly co-infections with coronaviruses contribute to their overall poorer health condition 46 . Similarly, there is little evidence of clinical BCoV infections in other wild ruminant species 39 , 46 , 47 .…”

“…However, despite this, the highest seroprevalence was observed for European bison eliminated for health reasons and those that died in accidents, thus possibly co-infections with coronaviruses contribute to their overall poorer health condition 46 . Similarly, there is little evidence of clinical BCoV infections in other wild ruminant species 39 , 46 , 47 . Previously, it was shown that ruminant species, such as wild-tailed-deer could not only transmit SARS-CoV-2 but also be clinically affected by COVID-19 11 , 48 , 49 .…”

SARS-CoV-2 Seropositivity in Urban Population of Wild Fallow Deer, Dublin, Ireland, 2020–2022

“…However, although respiratory disease was not observed in the study population, cross-reactivity with other animal coronaviruses in the sVNT, including bovine coronavirus, is possible but has not been evaluated. It is unclear whether bovine coronavirus is circulating in this population ( 30 ), but other respiratory viruses have a low seroprevalence in deer in Ireland ( 31 ).…”