Successful treatment of elephant endotheliotropic herpesvirus infection in an Asian elephant ( Elephas maximus ) calf by oral acyclovir medication: Case report

[摘要] Elephant endotheliotropic herpesvirus (EEHV) is a major cause of death in Asian elephant ( Elephas maximus ) calves. A 2-year, 11-month-old female, captive Asian elephant presented with facial edema and a mild fever. Blood samples were collected and showed EEHV1A positivity with a high viral load by real time PCR. Heterophil toxicity also was reported for the first time in this case. The calf was treated orally with acyclovir, 45 mg/kg tid for 28 days, which reduced the EEHV1A viral load to undetectable levels within 9 days and the calf survived. A successful outcome with oral acyclovir administration provides another and affordable option to treat EEHV hemorrhagic disease in Asian elephants, and one that is easier to administer in untrained calves.

[学科分类] 兽医学

[关键词] acyclovir;Asian elephant;elephant endotheliotropic herpesvirus (EEHV);heterophil toxicity;oral medication