Novel Alpha-, Beta-, and Gammaherpesviruses in Neotropical Carnivores of Brazil

Abstract

The knowledge regarding infectious agents affecting wildlife is crucial for species' conservation. We hypothesized that herpesviruses are present in wild Neotropical carnivores. Herein, we used DNA polymerase and glycoprotein B broad-spectrum PCRs to molecularly survey the presence of herpesviruses in spleen and/or lung samples of 53 wild Neotropical carnivores of Brazil, comprising the families Canidae, Felidae, Mustelidae, and Procyonidae. The percentage of PCR-positives was 28.3% (15/53). An alphaherpesvirus was found in a Neotropical river otter (Lontra longicaudis, 1/1), a betaherpesvirus in a lesser grison (Galictis cuja, 1/3), and different gammaherpesviruses in Neotropical river otter (1/1), lesser grison (1/3), crab-eating raccoons (Procyon cancrivorus, 8/9), South American coati (Nasua nasua, 1/2), southern tiger cat (Leopardus guttulus, 1/2), jaguarundi (Puma yagouaroundi, 1/5), and ocelot (Leopardus pardalis, 1/10). None of the tested canids were herpesvirus-positive. This is the first report of herpesvirus in procyonids, and in jaguarundi, southern tiger cat, lesser grison, and Neotropical river otter. This study broadens the host range of herpesviruses in Neotropical carnivores.