Fatal Human Herpes Simplex Virus Encephalitis
in a Domestic Rabbit
After minor head trauma, a 2.5 year
old male rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) exhibited seizures
followed by coma and natural death. Two days elapsed between
the onset of seizures and death. One day prior to death, an
ophthalmic examination revealed papillary edema and hemorrhage.
At necropsy, a small amount of hemorrhage was observed around
the optic chiasm. The brain was examined histologically and
revealed extensive inflammation and neuronal necrosis with
intranuclear inclusion bodies. Because domestic rabbits are
used as an experimental model for (human) herpes simplex virus
(HSV) encephalitis and because a naturally occurring case
of HSV type I - encephalitis in a domestic rabbit was reported
in Europe (Weissenbock et al. Vet Pathol 1997;34:44-47),
HSV-encephalitis was suspected in this rabbit. DNA extracted
from paraffin-embedded sections of brain from this rabbit
was subjected to the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using
HSV type I/II - specific primers, and a 3+/3+ signal was detected.
Among the various human herpes virus infections (e.g., varicella-zoster,
Epstein-Barr), this PCR technique is specific for HSV. This
case demonstrates the susceptibility of domestic rabbits to
HSV and emphasizes that humans with active lesions of herpes
labialis or herpetic stomatitis (i.e. "cold-sores" or "fever
blisters") should not contact domestic rabbits.
- Evan B. Janovitz, DVM, PhD
- Cindy Fishman, DVM
- Sarah Zimmerman
- Steve Thompson
|
