Alphaherpesvirus-associated disease in greater bilbies (Macrotis lagotis)

Besier, A.S., Mahony, T.J., Crockford, M., Gravel, J.L., Chapman, T.F. and O'Dea, M.A. (2016) Alphaherpesvirus-associated disease in greater bilbies (Macrotis lagotis). Australian Veterinary Journal, 94 (6). pp. 208-212.

Abstract

Case reportA captive breeding colony of 9 greater bilbies (Macrotis lagotis) exhibited mild upper respiratory signs and sudden deaths with 100% mortality over a 2-week period. Histologically, acute necrotising and erosive epithelial lesions throughout the upper respiratory system and bronchi were associated with eosinophilic intranuclear inclusion bodies. Inclusions were also present in hepatocytes and adrenocortical cells, but were not always associated with necrosis. Transmission electron microscopy of lung sections revealed nucleocapsids forming arrays within some nuclei. A pan-herpesvirus PCR yielded a 440-bp product, with sequencing confirming homology with the alphaherpesviruses. Viral culture in a marsupial cell line resulted in cytopathic effect consistent with an alphaherpesvirus.

Publication Type:	Journal Article
Murdoch Affiliation:	School of Veterinary and Life Sciences
Publisher:	Wiley-Blackwell
Copyright:	© 2016 Australian Veterinary Association and State of Western Australia
URI:	http://researchrepository.murdoch.edu.au/id/eprint/31922

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