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Herpes simplex encephalitis in a domestic rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus)
P Grest1, P Albicker, L Hoelzle
1Institute of Veterinary Pathology, University of Zürich, Zürich, 8057, Switzerland.
Journal of Comparative Pathology
|June 12, 2002
Summary
A rare herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) infection caused severe neurological disease in a domestic rabbit. This second reported case highlights HSV-1 as a potential cause of fatal neurological illness in rabbits.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Neurology
- Virology
- Pathology
Background:
- Herpes simplex virus (HSV) infections are typically associated with humans, causing oral or genital lesions.
- Natural infections in domestic rabbits are rare, with limited documentation in scientific literature.
Observation:
- An adult domestic rabbit presented with neurological signs, but showed no macroscopic lesions upon necropsy.
- Histopathological examination revealed extensive lesions in the cerebral cortex, including non-suppurative meningitis and neuronal/glial necrosis.
Findings:
- Amphophilic intranuclear inclusion bodies were observed in affected neurons and glial cells.
- Immunohistochemistry confirmed the presence of herpes simplex virus-1 (HSV-1) and HSV-2 antigens.
- Polymerase chain reaction analysis definitively identified the agent as HSV-1.
Implications:
- This case confirms HSV-1 as a cause of severe, fatal neurological disease in domestic rabbits.
- It underscores the importance of considering viral etiologies, including HSV, in rabbits with neurological deficits.
- Further research may elucidate the pathogenesis and transmission of HSV in lagomorphs.