[Distemper as the cause of death in badgers in Austria]

A canine distemper virus infection of badgers in a hunting range in Austria is described. A badger which was shot after showing symptoms of rabies infection and one which was found dead were examined by gross pathology and parasitological, histological, bacteriological and virological methods. The examination for rabies was negative in both cases. The badger which was found dead histologically showed signs of a non purulent panencephalitis, the shot animal showed hyperaemia and oedema of the brain. No cytoplasmatic or nuclear inclusion bodies could be observed. The aetiologic viral diagnosis was achieved by immunofluorescence. Using two canine distemper-specific conjugates a typical granular fluorescence of different strength could be observed in organ sections. The bacterial examination showed in both cases a secondary infection with opportunistic pathogenic bacteria (haem. E. coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa).