Adenoviral hepatitis in two Nile crocodile (Crocodylus niloticus) hatchlings from South Africa

Authors

  • Silke Pfitzer University of Mpumalanga
  • Keagan J. Boustead Valley Farm Animal Hospital
  • Jan H Vorster Vetdiagnostix Veterinary Pathology Services
  • Lizette du Plessis University of Pretoria
  • Louis J la Grange Veterinary Services

Abstract

Adenoviral infections may cause mild to severe morbidity or fatality in a large array of animal species. In crocodilians, hatchlings under 5 months of age are usually affected. However, there is a paucity of information on actual incidences in hatchlings originating from South Africa. Two cases of adenoviral hepatitis in crocodile hatchlings about 2 weeks old, bred on a commercial farm in South Africa, are described. Both hatchlings showed typical clinical signs of hepatitis. The identification of intranuclear inclusion bodies in the liver was used to differentiate between adenoviral hepatitis and chlamydial hepatitis. Although vertical
transmission has never been proven in crocodiles, the young age of the affected hatchlings raises the possibility of vertical transmission. The lack of epidemiological information on adenoviral hepatitis in crocodiles highlights the need for further characterisation of the virus and targeted surveillance.
Keywords: adenovirus; hatchlings; Nile crocodile; Crocodylus niloticus; South Africa.

Author Biographies

  • Silke Pfitzer, University of Mpumalanga

    Faculty of Agriculture and Natural Sciences, School of Biology and Environmental Sciences, University of
    Mpumalanga, Nelspruit, South Africa

  • Keagan J. Boustead, Valley Farm Animal Hospital

    Valley Farm Animal Hospital, Pretoria, South Africa

  • Jan H Vorster, Vetdiagnostix Veterinary Pathology Services

    Vetdiagnostix Veterinary Pathology Services, Pietermaritzburg, South Africa

  • Lizette du Plessis, University of Pretoria

    Electron Microscope Unit, Department of Anatomy and Physiology, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University
    of Pretoria, Onderstepoort, South Africa

  • Louis J la Grange, Veterinary Services

    Department of Agriculture, Rural Development, Land and Environmental Affairs, Veterinary Services, Nelspruit, South Africa

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Published

2021-12-09

Issue

Vol. 90 No. 1 (2019)

Section

Case Report