Ellenberger C, Heenemann K, Vahlenkamp TW, Grothmann P, Herden C, Heinrich A. Borna disease in an adult free-ranging Eurasian beaver (Castor fiber albicus).
J Comp Pathol 2024;
209:31-35. [PMID:
38350270 DOI:
10.1016/j.jcpa.2024.01.003]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2023] [Revised: 12/01/2023] [Accepted: 01/11/2024] [Indexed: 02/15/2024]
Abstract
Borna disease (BD) associated with a peracute bacterial septicaemia with Escherichia coli was diagnosed in an adult female, naturally infected, free-ranging Eurasian beaver of the subspecies Castor fiber albicus, clinically characterized by weight loss, depression, weakness and gurgled peristaltic sounds. The beaver was euthanized humanely. Necropsy and light microscopy revealed a non-purulent meningoencephalitis with typical mononuclear perivascular cuffs and parenchymal infiltrates. The diagnosis of BD was confirmed by detection of viral antigen and RNA by immunohistochemistry and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). The PCR product was sequenced and cluster analysis revealed a close relationship between endemic clusters in Saxony-Anhalt. This is the first report of naturally occurring BD in a free-ranging Eurasian beaver.
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