Hala Abdulhadi

Biology lab 1615

Evelyn Galvez

SummaryofClinicalandPathologicalFindingofaNew
RecognizedDiseaseofElephantsCausedbyEndotheliochorial
Herpesviruses
Introduction
The World Conservation Union (IUCN) recognized the Asian (Elephas
maximus) and African (Loxodonta Africana) elephant species as
endangered and threatened. There was a report done on virological and
epidemiological findings of Endotheliotropic Herpes virus, which is a
highly fatal elephant disease in North America. Between 1983 and 1996
the disease was fatal to 18% of the Asian species born in captivity. This
disease affects both the Asian and African species, and the relationship
between of Endotheliotropic Herpes virus in the two species is still
under investigation.
The disease is acute and some of the symptoms are cyanosis of the
tongue, edema of the head and thoracic limbs and death between one to
seven days after infection. The scientists carry out experiments to try and
identify the virus through molecular techniques and epidemiological
aspects of the disease in the infected elephants. The Montali and the rest
of the scientist were able to develop an early method of diagnosing the
disease and have also been able to propose a possible cause of the virus
that was responsible for the

deaths of two African elephants. The aim of this paper is to study the
clinical and pathological findings of the virus and also describe the
lesions in organs that are targeted by the virus.

MaterialsandMethods
Samples used came from 11 elephants from a North American zoo.
Seven Asian and two African elephants had died from the
Endotheliochorial Herpes virus, and two Asian elephants survived. The
scientist carried out many experiments on both living and preserved
specimens. The evaluations were dependent on tractability of the
elephants at the time of sickness and included physical examination, a
collection of blood samples, serum, and vitamin E levels. Some of the
tests they performed are such as serological testing in which they did a
test on the serum of three adult elephants. They conducted a serological
test for viruses such as bluetongue virus, epizootic hemorrhagic disease
virus, and equine infectious anemia virus among others.
The other testing method was high-performance liquid chromatography
analysis. Famciclovir got administered to an elephant, and the scientist
observed how it reacted to the drug. PCR assay and sequencing is
another method that was carried out. A polymerase chain reaction on a
DNA extract from the specimen gets done.
Results
Initial clinical signs among the samples used were different in the
species. The signs were such as mild colic, anorexia, edema of the head,
oral ulcers, and lethargy. By the third day of the clinical trials E#2 died
while E#1 passed away on the fifth day. Nine

days after the beginning of treatment with E#3 it had already begun
recovering and after 8weeks, the virus levels had decreased to a nondetectable level.
In the pathological findings, the scientist found 7 of the 20 elephants that
died between 1983 and 1993 had lesions that were similar as a result of
the virus. From the whole scientific study, only two elephants which
were both Asian species survived, after they got treated with Famciclovir
3 to 5 days after the onset of the disease. In E#3 it was noted that that

serum level varied. Lower levels were present in the morning, and a
greater degree of plasma observed after treatment. After nine days of
treatment with Famciclovir, cyanosis and edema on the head and neck
resolved. The elephant also regained strength and resumed feeding.
Discussion
This research brought a lot about Endotheliochorial Herpes virus disease
to light, but there is still need for more research and investigations. The
findings portray that the African elephant the potential reservoir of the
virus. Direct proof of transmission is yet to be determined, and a lot of
work is needed so as to clarify the carrier status of the Asian elephant.
The study also revealed possible cross transmission between the African
and Asian elephant. The herpes virus was nearly identical in the two
species although it is possible that the African elephants are the source
of the virus. The organs that are highly infected by the virus are such
liver, brain and adrenal glands. Exposure to Bovine Herpes virus 2 was
evident in elephants that had contact with the Swiss case.

The implication of the virus is unknown in the wild African elephant and
wild African Asian elephant. From the findings, it is recommended to
minimize the mingling of this two elephant species at the same facility
as it might increase the chances of transmission of the virus especially
during breeding or when new elephants get introduced to the herd.