Epizootic myocarditis associated with encephalomyocarditis virus in a group of rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta)

Vet Pathol. 2012 Mar;49(2):386-92. doi: 10.1177/0300985811409254. Epub 2011 Jun 7.

Abstract

Six cases of fatal myocarditis associated with encephalomyocarditis virus occurred over a 14-month period in a group of outdoor-housed juvenile rhesus macaques. All animals were younger than 3 years of age and died or were euthanized following acute onset of dyspnea or pulmonary effusion (3 of 6) or were found dead without premonitory signs (3 of 6). Gross findings included pulmonary congestion (6 of 6), variable degrees of pleural effusion (4 of 6), multifocal pale tan foci throughout the myocardium (3 of 6), hepatomegaly and hepatic congestion (3 of 6), and pericardial effusion (1 of 6). Histologically, affected myocardium was infiltrated multifocally by lymphoplasmacytic and histiocytic inflammation admixed with necrotic and degenerate myofibers and infrequent mineralization (6 of 6). Pulmonary edema was present in all animals. Encephalomyocarditis virus was confirmed in 6 of 6 hearts by immunohistochemistry, and virus was isolated from one case by polymerase chain reaction. Sequencing of virus isolated from 1 affected animal indicated infection with a novel encephalomyocarditis virus. Encephalomyocarditis virus should be considered as a differential etiology in outbreaks of myocarditis and pulmonary edema in juvenile primates.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cardiovirus Infections / pathology
  • Cardiovirus Infections / veterinary*
  • Cardiovirus Infections / virology
  • Chlorocebus aethiops
  • DNA, Complementary / chemistry
  • DNA, Complementary / genetics
  • Disease Outbreaks / veterinary
  • Encephalomyocarditis virus / genetics
  • Encephalomyocarditis virus / isolation & purification*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Macaca mulatta*
  • Male
  • Microscopy, Electron, Transmission / veterinary
  • Monkey Diseases / pathology
  • Monkey Diseases / virology*
  • Myocarditis / pathology
  • Myocarditis / veterinary*
  • Myocarditis / virology
  • Myocardium / pathology
  • Myocardium / ultrastructure
  • Pulmonary Edema / pathology
  • Pulmonary Edema / veterinary
  • Pulmonary Edema / virology
  • RNA, Viral / genetics
  • Sequence Analysis, DNA
  • Vero Cells

Substances

  • DNA, Complementary
  • RNA, Viral