Coxsackievirus B4 myocarditis in an orangutan

Vet Pathol. 1999 Sep;36(5):452-6. doi: 10.1354/vp.36-5-452.

Abstract

A 37-year-old female orangutan died at the zoological garden. Autopsy examination demonstrated severe coxsackievirus B4 myocarditis immunohistochemically as a cause of the death. Apoptosis of the cardiac muscle cells was observed using the TdT-mediated dUTP-biotin nick endo labeling method and was considered to play a role in the myocarditis. Congestion of the liver and both lungs due to cardiac failure was also observed. Coxsackievirus infection is found frequently in the Okinawan human population. The present orangutan's infection might have come from visitors who were allowed to go near the orangutan. Malignant tumors, severe suppurative infections, and intestinal parasite infections were not observed. Epstein-Barr virus DNA was detected in lymph nodes, but there was no Burkitt's lymphoma.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Animals, Zoo
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal
  • Blotting, Southern / veterinary
  • Coxsackievirus Infections / pathology
  • Coxsackievirus Infections / veterinary*
  • DNA Primers / chemistry
  • DNA, Viral / chemistry
  • Electrophoresis, Agar Gel / veterinary
  • Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel / veterinary
  • Enterovirus B, Human / pathogenicity*
  • Female
  • Immunohistochemistry
  • In Situ Nick-End Labeling / veterinary
  • Myocarditis / pathology
  • Myocarditis / veterinary*
  • Myocardium / pathology*
  • Polymerase Chain Reaction / veterinary
  • Pongo pygmaeus*
  • Sequence Analysis, DNA

Substances

  • Antibodies, Monoclonal
  • DNA Primers
  • DNA, Viral