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Published on: June 14, 2020
Encephalitis in a rabbit caused by human herpesvirus-1
Kerstin Müller1, Walter Fuchs, Nikola Heblinski
1Small Animal Clinic, College of Veterinary Medicine, Freie Universität Berlin, 14163 Berlin, Germany.
Summary
Human herpesvirus-1 can infect rabbits, causing severe central nervous system (CNS) disease. This case highlights potential human-to-rabbit transmission, emphasizing the need to consider human herpesvirus-1 in rabbit CNS cases.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Neurology
- Infectious Diseases
- Comparative Pathology
Background:
- Rabbits can present with non-specific neurological signs.
- Differential diagnoses for CNS disease in rabbits are broad.
- Zoonotic potential of certain viral infections is a growing concern.
Observation:
- An 8-month-old rabbit exhibited anorexia, ataxia, seizures, and hypersalivation.
- Physical exam revealed conjunctivitis and severe CNS dysfunction.
- Standard diagnostics and treatments for encephalitozoonosis and toxoplasmosis were negative.
Findings:
- Histopathology showed nonsuppurative meningoencephalitis with intranuclear inclusions.
- In situ hybridization confirmed human herpesvirus-1 DNA in neural and glial cells.
- The owner had a recent herpesvirus infection, suggesting a potential source.
Implications:
- Human herpesvirus-1 is a potential cause of fatal meningoencephalitis in rabbits.
- This case demonstrates possible human-to-rabbit transmission of human herpesvirus-1.
- Clinicians should include human herpesvirus-1 in the differential diagnosis for rabbits with neurological signs.
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