Publication Database

An update on rustrela virus-associated meningoencephalitis in diverse mammals (2023)

Art

Poster

Autoren

Breithaupt, A. (WE 12)

Voss, A. (WE 12)

Schlieben, P.

Gerst, S.

Langner, C. (WE 5)

Niesler, M.

Schad, P.

Beer, M.

Rubbenstroth, D.

Mundhenk, L. (WE 12)

Kongress

Annual ESVP/ECVP Congress 2022

Athen, 07. – 10.09.2022

Quelle

Journal of comparative pathology

Bandzählung: 203

Seiten: 52

ISSN: 0021-9975

Sprache

Englisch

Verweise

URL (Volltext): https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S002199752300066X

DOI: 10.1016/j.jcpa.2023.03.040

Kontakt

Institut für Virologie

Robert-von-Ostertag-Str. 7-13
14163 Berlin
+49 30 838 51833
virologie@vetmed.fu-berlin.de

Abstract / Zusammenfassung

Introduction:
Retrospective studies on brain samples from zoo animals with meningoencephalitis identified rubella virus-like sequences. The initial description of rustrela virus (RusV) in a donkey, a red-necked wallaby, a capybara and in yellow-necked mice was followed by cases in an otter and a coati. Here, we describe the clinical signs and pathology of three new cases affecting red-necked wallabies from different zoos in northeastern German and summarize the current state of knowledge on RusV.

Materials and methods:
Brain samples were processed for HE and special stains such as Luxol fast blue cresyl violet, von Kossa and Prussian blue reaction. We performed immunohistochemistry for CD3, Iba1, GFAP and active caspase-3. RusV RNA was detected by RNA in-situ hybridization.

Results:
All three wallabies showed sudden signs of neurological disease. Two of them originated from zoos in which previous fatal neurological disease with unknown aetiology had been reported in wallabies. One case occurred in a zoo with previous RusV detection in diverse animals. A lymphocytic meningoencephalitis with microglial nodules was consistently diagnosed. RusV genome was identified in neurons of all animals. Some animals showed evidence of intravital haemorrhage. Definite neuronal degeneration or necrosis was detectable in rare cases. Reactive astrocytes were occasionally found by GFAP labelling. Expression of active caspase-3 was found in only few cells.

Conclusions:
RusV seems to infect a wide range of mammalian hosts and red-necked wallabies appear to be particularly susceptible. RusV should be included in the list of differential aetiological diagnoses for neurological disorders and non-suppurative meningoencephalitis.