Amdoparvovirus-associated disease in red pandas (Ailurus fulgens)

Charles Everett Alex, Pavel Kvapil, Martin D. M. Busch, Trine Hammer Jensen, Kenneth Conley, Kenneth Jackson, Eric L. Stubbs, Jenessa Gjeltema, Michael M. Garner, Steven V. Kubiski, Patricia A. Pesavento*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journal/Conference contribution in journal/Contribution to newspaperJournal articleResearchpeer-review

Abstract

The roster of amdoparvoviruses (APVs) in small carnivores is growing rapidly, but in most cases, the consequences of infection
are poorly understood. Red panda amdoparvovirus (RPAV) is highly prevalent in zoo-housed red pandas and has been detected
in both healthy and sick animals. Clarifying the clinical impact of RPAV in this endangered species is critical, and zoological
collections offer a unique opportunity to examine viral disease association in carefully managed populations. We evaluated the
potential impact of RPAV in captive red pandas with a combination of prospective and retrospective analyses. First, we collected
feces from 2 healthy animals from one collection over a 6-year period and detected virus in 72/75 total samples, suggesting that
RPAV can be a long-term subclinical infection. We next investigated the infections using a retrospective study of infection status
and tissue distribution in a cohort of necropsied animals. We performed polymerase chain reaction and in situ hybridization on
43 necropsy cases from 4 zoo collections (3 from the United States, 1 from Europe, 1997–2022). RPAV was present in these
populations for at least 2 decades before its discovery and is detectable in common and significant lesions of zoo-housed red
pandas, including myocarditis (3/3 cases), nephritis (9/10), and interstitial pneumonia (2/4). RPAV is also detectable in sporadic
lesions, including multisystemic pyogranulomatous inflammation, oral/pharyngeal mucosal inflammation, and dermatitis. The
colocalization of virus with lesions supports a role in causation, suggesting that despite the apparently persistent and subclinical
carriage of most infections, RPAV may have a significant impact in zoo collections.
Original languageEnglish
JournalVeterinary Pathology
Volume61
Issue2
Pages (from-to)269-278
Number of pages10
ISSN0300-9858
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Mar 2024
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Ailurus, amdoparvovirus, in situ hybridization, parvovirus, red panda, real-time PCR, wildlife
  • Ailurus
  • red panda
  • amdoparvovirus
  • real-time PCR
  • parvovirus
  • in situ hybridization
  • wildlife

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