| Autor: |
Stancu AC; Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Horia Cernescu Research Unit, University of Life Sciences 'King Michael I', 300645 Timisoara, Romania., Voia OS; Faculty of Animal Resources Bioengineering, University of Life Sciences 'King Michael I', 300645 Timisoara, Romania., Boldura OM; Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Horia Cernescu Research Unit, University of Life Sciences 'King Michael I', 300645 Timisoara, Romania., Pasca SA; Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Life Sciences, 700506 Iasi, Romania., Luca I; Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Horia Cernescu Research Unit, University of Life Sciences 'King Michael I', 300645 Timisoara, Romania., Hulea AS; Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Horia Cernescu Research Unit, University of Life Sciences 'King Michael I', 300645 Timisoara, Romania., Ivan OR; Faculty of Letters, West University, 300223 Timisoara, Romania., Dragoescu AA; Faculty of Agriculture, University of Life Sciences 'King Michael I', 300645 Timisoara, Romania., Lungu BC; Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Horia Cernescu Research Unit, University of Life Sciences 'King Michael I', 300645 Timisoara, Romania., Hutu I; Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Horia Cernescu Research Unit, University of Life Sciences 'King Michael I', 300645 Timisoara, Romania. |
| Abstrakt: |
Canine morbillivirus, also known as canine distemper virus (CDV), is the causative agent of canine distemper (CD), which is a serious contagious disease of canines, large felids, and, occasionally, raccoons. This study included seven raccoons from the Timisoara Zoological Garden, Romania. CDV was detected using RT-qPCR on blood samples, but several other exams were also performed-clinical, bacteriological, immunohistochemistry (IHC) and histopathology, toxicological screening, and necropsy-which confirmed CDV infection. Severe digestive disorders (diarrhea and frequent hematemesis) were observed. The necropsy findings included pseudo membranous gastroenteritis, congestion, and pulmonary edema in two raccoons. Immunohistochemistry showed immunolabeled CDV antigenantibodies on the viral nucleocapsid. Histopathology revealed lymphocyte depletion in mesenteric lymphnodes and intranuclear and intracytoplasmic inclusions in the enterocytes of the small intestine. Based on the RT-qPCR assay, laboratory tests, and the lesions observed, it was established that the raccoons were infected with CDV, which was the cause of death in two cases. The results from the necropsy, histology, and immunohistochemistry in the raccoons are comparable with reported CDV lesions in dogs. In conclusion, several exams may be performed to establish the etiology of possible interspecific viral infection, but only very specific exams can identify aCDV infection. Laboratory analyses must be completed by RT-qPCR assay or IHC to establish infection with uncommon viruses in raccoons with high accuracy. |
