Isolation of a retrovirus and a herpesvirus from a captive California sea lion

J Wildl Dis. 1986 Apr;22(2):156-64. doi: 10.7589/0090-3558-22.2.156.

Abstract

A non-oncogenic retrovirus was isolated from an explanted skin biopsy from a captive California sea lion (Zalophus californianus) with a history of recurring skin lesions. The morphology of the viral particles in electron photomicrographs was characteristic of a foamy virus, a retrovirus in the subfamily Spumavirinae. Viral cytopathic effects consistent with foamy virus infection were observed in subsequent explants of skin and lymph nodes and co-cultivated peripheral blood leukocytes. The sea lion with the persistent foamy virus infection later died from pericarditis caused by Pasteurella multocida. A herpesvirus was isolated from explants of lung.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Caniformia / microbiology*
  • Female
  • Herpesviridae / isolation & purification*
  • Leukocytes / microbiology
  • Lymph Nodes / microbiology
  • Male
  • Pasteurella / isolation & purification
  • Pasteurella Infections / microbiology
  • Pasteurella Infections / veterinary
  • Pericarditis / microbiology
  • Pericarditis / veterinary
  • Retroviridae / isolation & purification*
  • Sea Lions / microbiology*
  • Skin / microbiology*
  • Skin / pathology
  • Skin Diseases, Infectious / microbiology
  • Skin Diseases, Infectious / veterinary*
  • Spumavirus / isolation & purification*