Oral ulcerations and plaques with epithelial eosinophilic intranuclear inclusions were observed in northern sea otters (Enhydra lutris kenyoni) that died or were admitted for rehabilitation after the 1989 Exxon Valdez oil spill (EVOS) in Alaska, USA. Transmission electron microscopy demonstrated the presence of herpesviral virions. Additionally, a serologic study from 2004 to 2005 found a high prevalence of exposure to a herpesvirus in live-captured otters. Tissues from 29 otters after the EVOS and nasal swabs from 83 live-captured otters in the Kodiak Archipelago were tested for herpesviral DNA. Analysis identified a novel herpesvirus in the gamma subfamily, most closely related to Mustelid herpesvirus-1 from badgers. Results indicated that this herpesvirus is associated with ulcerative lesions but is also commonly found in secretions of healthy northern sea otters.
Skip Nav Destination
Article navigation
SHORT COMMUNICATIONS|
January 01 2012
Mustelid Herpesvirus-2, a Novel Herpes Infection in Northern Sea Otters (Enhydra Lutris Kenyoni)
Marion Tseng;
Marion Tseng
1 Wildlife Health Center, School of Veterinary Medicine, One Shields Avenue, University of California, Davis, California 95616, USA
Search for other works by this author on:
Michelle Fleetwood;
Michelle Fleetwood
2 Armed Forced Institute of Pathology, 6825 16th Street NW, Washington, DC 20306, USA
Search for other works by this author on:
Aimee Reed;
Aimee Reed
1 Wildlife Health Center, School of Veterinary Medicine, One Shields Avenue, University of California, Davis, California 95616, USA
Search for other works by this author on:
Verena A. Gill;
Verena A. Gill
3 US Fish and Wildlife Service, Marine Mammals Management, 1011 E Tudor Road, Anchorage, Alaska 99503, USA
Search for other works by this author on:
R. Keith Harris;
R. Keith Harris
2 Armed Forced Institute of Pathology, 6825 16th Street NW, Washington, DC 20306, USA
Search for other works by this author on:
Robert B. Moeller;
Robert B. Moeller
2 Armed Forced Institute of Pathology, 6825 16th Street NW, Washington, DC 20306, USA
Search for other works by this author on:
Thomas P. Lipscomb;
Thomas P. Lipscomb
2 Armed Forced Institute of Pathology, 6825 16th Street NW, Washington, DC 20306, USA
Search for other works by this author on:
Jonna A. K. Mazet;
Jonna A. K. Mazet
1 Wildlife Health Center, School of Veterinary Medicine, One Shields Avenue, University of California, Davis, California 95616, USA
Search for other works by this author on:
Tracey Goldstein
Tracey Goldstein
4
1 Wildlife Health Center, School of Veterinary Medicine, One Shields Avenue, University of California, Davis, California 95616, USA
4 Corresponding author (email: tgoldstein@ucdavis.edu)
Search for other works by this author on:
J Wildl Dis (2012) 48 (1): 181–185.
Article history
Received:
June 09 2010
Accepted:
July 20 2011
Citation
Marion Tseng, Michelle Fleetwood, Aimee Reed, Verena A. Gill, R. Keith Harris, Robert B. Moeller, Thomas P. Lipscomb, Jonna A. K. Mazet, Tracey Goldstein; Mustelid Herpesvirus-2, a Novel Herpes Infection in Northern Sea Otters (Enhydra Lutris Kenyoni). J Wildl Dis 1 January 2012; 48 (1): 181–185. doi: https://doi.org/10.7589/0090-3558-48.1.181
Download citation file:
Citing articles via
Health Effects of Patagial Wing Tags in Red Kites (Milvus milvus) in the UK
Marco Vecchiato, Hugo Sentenac, Jenny E. Jaffe, Anthony W. Sainsbury
Health Assessment of Adult Male Eastern Wild Turkeys (Meleagris gallopavo silvestris) from Western Kentucky, USA
Ellen Haynes, Michael J. Yabsley, Nicole M. Nemeth, Zachary D. Danks, Iga Stasiak, Kayla B. Garrett, Kayla G. Adcock, Michael J. Chamberlain, Mark G. Ruder
Book Review
Craig Stephen
Host Taxonomy is Critical in Zoonotic Disease Surveillance and Reporting
Link E. Olson, Maya M. Juman
Authors’ Reply to “Host Taxonomy is Critical in Zoonotic Disease Surveillance and Reporting”
Dariusz A. Hareza, Ricky Langley, Xiaoyue Ma, Ryan Wallace, Charles E. Rupprecht