Japanese encephalitis virus infection in meerkats (Suricata suricatta)
1
Issued Date
2022-02-01
Resource Type
ISSN
18631959
eISSN
18632378
Scopus ID
2-s2.0-85109706896
Pubmed ID
34254456
Journal Title
Zoonoses and Public Health
Volume
69
Issue
1
Start Page
55
End Page
60
Rights Holder(s)
SCOPUS
Bibliographic Citation
Zoonoses and Public Health Vol.69 No.1 (2022) , 55-60
Suggested Citation
Piewbang C., Wardhani S.W., Chaiyasak S., Yostawonkul J., Kasantikul T., Techangamsuwan S. Japanese encephalitis virus infection in meerkats (Suricata suricatta). Zoonoses and Public Health Vol.69 No.1 (2022) , 55-60. 60. doi:10.1111/zph.12882 Retrieved from: https://repository.li.mahidol.ac.th/handle/123456789/86188
Title
Japanese encephalitis virus infection in meerkats (Suricata suricatta)
Other Contributor(s)
Abstract
Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) infection has been recognized as a serious disease in humans. Wildlife animal infections due to JEV have not been well described. This study identified JEV infection in two deceased meerkats in Thailand, with clinical signs of neurological disease. Histopathology of brains revealed severe lymphoplasmacytic necrotizing meningoencephalitis, while similar inflammation was observed in the lung and liver. Partial JEV sequences were identified from the formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded-derived brain sections of two meerkats and were found to be genetically similar to a JEV strain detected in China but not from a local strain. Using immunohistochemistry, the virus was identified in neurons and glial cells, and also found in bronchial glands, Kupffer's cells in liver, lymphocytes in the spleen and pancreatic acini, which suggests extraneural infection. Transmission electron microscopy confirmed the presence of spheroid viral particles in the lungs. These findings may suggest that infection of extraneural organs in meerkats is similar to that described in JEV-infected humans. In conclusion, this study identified the first JEV infection in meerkats as an interesting case study. The JEV should be considered as an important differential diagnosis in meerkats with encephalitis. Further surveillance on JEV infection in meerkats and other wildlife species in a large cohort is needed in the future study.