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Title: AN EPIZOOTIC OF ADENOVIRUS INDUCED HEMORRHAGIC DISEASE IN CAPTIVE BLACK-TAILED DEER (ODOCOILEUS HEMIONUS)

Author
item BOYCE, WALTER - UNIV. OF CA, DAVIS, CA
item WOODS, LESLIE - UNIV. OF CA, DAVIS, CA
item KEEL, KEVIN - UNIV. OF CA, DAVIS, CA
item MACLACHLAN, N - UNIV. OF CA, DAVIS, CA
item PORTER, CHARLES - UNIV. OF CA, DAVIS, CA
item LEHMKUHL, HOWARD

Submitted to: Journal of Zoo and Wildlife Medicine
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 1/5/2001
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary: An adenovirus has been shown to cause hemorrhagic disease in mule deer herds throughout northern and central California that resulted in high mortality. In this study, we describe a natural outbreak of adenovirus- induced hemorrhagic disease in a captive herd of black-tailed deer. The virus was already in the herd, as indicated by antibody to the deer adenovirus, in some of the animals. We speculate that a high stocking density may have stressed the deer, precipitating the infection in susceptible deer. To reduce the risk of virus introduction, we recommend that apparently healthy free-ranging deer brought into captivity should not be released into wild herds other than those from which they originated. Likewise, deer originating from captive herds with a history of adenovirus infection should not be transferred to other captive herds or released into free-ranging populations because they may serve as carriers of adenovirus.

Technical Abstract: Ten fawns and four adult black-tailed deer (Odocoileus hemionus) in a captive herd died due to adenovirus-induced hemorrhagic disease. Acute, systemic infections were characterized by hemorrhagic enteropathy, pulmonary edema, and occasional ulceration of the upper alimentary tract. Localized infections were limited to the upper alimentary tract and included stomatitis, pharyngitis, mandibular osteomyelitis, or rumenitis. In deer with acute, systemic infections, a diagnosis was made by histopathology and immunohistochemistry. The serum neutralization test was useful for confirming a diagnosis in animals with prolonged, localized infections. Deer originating from herds with a history of adenovirus infection should not be transferred to other captive herds or released into free-ranging populations because they may serve as carriers of adenovirus.