Inclusion body myositis in spring peepers (Pseudacris crucifer)

In 2000, 2 adult captive spring peepers (Pseudacris crucifer) from the same zoological park were humanely euthanized. Histologically, both frogs had degeneration, atrophy, and necrosis of striated myofibers of the tongue admixed with chronic lymphohistiocytic inflammation. One frog had similar lesions in the skeletal muscles of the body wall. Several degenerate and necrotic myofibers contained single, eosinophilic, intranuclear inclusion bodies. Ultrastructural examination of the inclusions revealed nonenveloped, icosahedral, virus-like particles averaging 20-24 nm in diameter. This is the first reported case of inclusion body myositis in frogs and is believed to be due to parvoviral infection.