Pseudocowpox virus infection in an American bison (Bison bison)

Area of Science:

• Veterinary Virology
• Wildlife Disease Ecology

Background:

• Pseudocowpox virus (PCPV) is a known pathogen in cattle, causing significant economic losses.
• Bison are increasingly recognized as susceptible to various viral pathogens, necessitating disease surveillance.

Observation:

• A seven-year-old female bison presented with declining condition and characteristic skin lesions.
• Lesions included multifocal, raised, keratinized plaques on the ventral tail, perineum, abdomen, udder, and thighs.
• Histopathology revealed epidermal hyperplasia, hyperkeratosis, and intracytoplasmic inclusion bodies consistent with poxvirus infection.

Findings:

• Electron microscopy and real-time PCR confirmed the presence of Parapoxvirus (PPV) particles in skin samples.
• Metagenomic analysis identified the virus as PCPV, with the B2L envelope gene clustering with other ruminant parapoxviruses.
• This is the first documented case of PCPV infection in an American bison.

Implications:

• This discovery identifies a novel susceptible host for PCPV, contributing to the understanding of parapoxvirus evolution.
• The findings highlight the potential for PCPV to impact the bison industry, underscoring the need for disease management strategies.