Evidence of high EEHV antibody seroprevalence and spatial variation among captive Asian elephants (Elephas maximus) in Thailand
Abstract Background Elephant endotheliotropic herpesviruses (EEHV) can cause an acute highly fatal hemorrhagic disease in young Asian elephants (Elephas maximus), both ex situ and in situ. Amongst eight EEHV types described so far, type 1 (subtype 1A and 1B) is the predominant disease-associated typ...
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BMC
2019-03-01
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| Series: | Virology Journal |
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| Online Access: | http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12985-019-1142-8 |
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| author | Taweepoke Angkawanish Mirjam Nielen Hans Vernooij Janine L. Brown Peter J. S. van Kooten Petra B. van den Doel Willem Schaftenaar Kannika Na Lampang Victor P. M. G. Rutten |
| author_facet | Taweepoke Angkawanish Mirjam Nielen Hans Vernooij Janine L. Brown Peter J. S. van Kooten Petra B. van den Doel Willem Schaftenaar Kannika Na Lampang Victor P. M. G. Rutten |
| author_sort | Taweepoke Angkawanish |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background Elephant endotheliotropic herpesviruses (EEHV) can cause an acute highly fatal hemorrhagic disease in young Asian elephants (Elephas maximus), both ex situ and in situ. Amongst eight EEHV types described so far, type 1 (subtype 1A and 1B) is the predominant disease-associated type. Little is known about routes of infection and pathogenesis of EEHV, and knowledge of disease prevalence, especially in range countries, is limited. Methods A large cross-sectional serological survey was conducted in captive elephants (n = 994) throughout Thailand using an EEHV-1A glycoprotein B protein antigen specific antibody ELISA. Results Antibody seroprevalence was 42.3%, with 420 of 994 elephants testing positive. Associations between seropositivity and potential risk factors for EEHV infection were assessed and included: elephant age, sex, camp cluster size, management type (extensive versus intensive), sampling period (wet vs. dry season) and location of camp (region). Univariable regression analysis identified management system and region as risk factors for the presence of EEHV antibodies in elephants, with region being significant in the final multivariable regression model. Prevalence was highest in the North region of the country (49.4%). Conclusions This study produced baseline serological data for captive elephants throughout Thailand, and showed a significant EEHV burden likely to be maintained in the captive population. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-23T05:37:14Z |
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| id | doaj.art-5a52b3eb18cb4030a8bba9a7e03ffaa8 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1743-422X |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-23T05:37:14Z |
| publishDate | 2019-03-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Virology Journal |
| spelling | doaj.art-5a52b3eb18cb4030a8bba9a7e03ffaa82022-12-21T17:58:18ZengBMCVirology Journal1743-422X2019-03-011611910.1186/s12985-019-1142-8Evidence of high EEHV antibody seroprevalence and spatial variation among captive Asian elephants (Elephas maximus) in ThailandTaweepoke Angkawanish0Mirjam Nielen1Hans Vernooij2Janine L. Brown3Peter J. S. van Kooten4Petra B. van den Doel5Willem Schaftenaar6Kannika Na Lampang7Victor P. M. G. Rutten8Department of Infectious Diseases and Immunology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht UniversityDepartment of Farm Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht UniversityDepartment of Farm Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht UniversityCenter for Species Survival, Smithsonian Conservation Biology InstituteDepartment of Infectious Diseases and Immunology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht UniversityViroScience Lab, Erasmus Medical CenterVeterinary ServicesDepartment of Veterinary Bioscience and Veterinary Public Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Chiang Mai UniversityDepartment of Infectious Diseases and Immunology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht UniversityAbstract Background Elephant endotheliotropic herpesviruses (EEHV) can cause an acute highly fatal hemorrhagic disease in young Asian elephants (Elephas maximus), both ex situ and in situ. Amongst eight EEHV types described so far, type 1 (subtype 1A and 1B) is the predominant disease-associated type. Little is known about routes of infection and pathogenesis of EEHV, and knowledge of disease prevalence, especially in range countries, is limited. Methods A large cross-sectional serological survey was conducted in captive elephants (n = 994) throughout Thailand using an EEHV-1A glycoprotein B protein antigen specific antibody ELISA. Results Antibody seroprevalence was 42.3%, with 420 of 994 elephants testing positive. Associations between seropositivity and potential risk factors for EEHV infection were assessed and included: elephant age, sex, camp cluster size, management type (extensive versus intensive), sampling period (wet vs. dry season) and location of camp (region). Univariable regression analysis identified management system and region as risk factors for the presence of EEHV antibodies in elephants, with region being significant in the final multivariable regression model. Prevalence was highest in the North region of the country (49.4%). Conclusions This study produced baseline serological data for captive elephants throughout Thailand, and showed a significant EEHV burden likely to be maintained in the captive population.http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12985-019-1142-8Elephant endotheliotropic herpesvirusEEHVAsian elephantGlycoprotein B ELISASeroprevalenceRisk factor |
| spellingShingle | Taweepoke Angkawanish Mirjam Nielen Hans Vernooij Janine L. Brown Peter J. S. van Kooten Petra B. van den Doel Willem Schaftenaar Kannika Na Lampang Victor P. M. G. Rutten Evidence of high EEHV antibody seroprevalence and spatial variation among captive Asian elephants (Elephas maximus) in Thailand Virology Journal Elephant endotheliotropic herpesvirus EEHV Asian elephant Glycoprotein B ELISA Seroprevalence Risk factor |
| title | Evidence of high EEHV antibody seroprevalence and spatial variation among captive Asian elephants (Elephas maximus) in Thailand |
| title_full | Evidence of high EEHV antibody seroprevalence and spatial variation among captive Asian elephants (Elephas maximus) in Thailand |
| title_fullStr | Evidence of high EEHV antibody seroprevalence and spatial variation among captive Asian elephants (Elephas maximus) in Thailand |
| title_full_unstemmed | Evidence of high EEHV antibody seroprevalence and spatial variation among captive Asian elephants (Elephas maximus) in Thailand |
| title_short | Evidence of high EEHV antibody seroprevalence and spatial variation among captive Asian elephants (Elephas maximus) in Thailand |
| title_sort | evidence of high eehv antibody seroprevalence and spatial variation among captive asian elephants elephas maximus in thailand |
| topic | Elephant endotheliotropic herpesvirus EEHV Asian elephant Glycoprotein B ELISA Seroprevalence Risk factor |
| url | http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12985-019-1142-8 |
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