Abstract

Spheniscid herpesvirus-1 (SpHV-1) was identified in 5/6 Magellanic penguins (Spheniscus magellanicus) tested that presented with mild cough, inappetence, and lethargy. Penguins were housed indoors in a colony of Magellanic penguins and Southern rockhopper penguins (Eudyptes chrysocome), and there were no recently introduced animals. Initially, one two-year-old female exhibited mild, intermittent coughing. One month later, several other penguins ranging in age from one to six years old presented with similar clinical signs. Bloodwork and radiographs were either normal or indicative of mild inflammation or infection. All clinical birds were started on enrofloxacin and itraconazole and were isolated from the rest of the colony. The two penguins most severely affected underwent computed tomography scans and bronchoscopy. Abnormal results consisted of only mild inflammation on bronchoscopy. Oropharyngeal swabs from six of the birds were also sent for herpesvirus polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing, which yielded positive results for a herpesvirus sequenced as SpHV-1. Penguins clinically recovered by 51 days after the first penguin showed signs and 23 days after other penguins exhibited clinical signs. In addition, four chicks were tested for herpesvirus before and after introduction to the colony. Results were negative prior to introductions, and were positive when chicks had mild, self-limiting cough by 2 months after introduction. Herpesvirus in spheniscid penguins is rarely discussed in literature, and clinical relevance in managed care is unknown.^1,2,3 SpHV-1 should be considered a differential for coughing in Magellanic penguins, and further work is needed to establish epidemiology and clinical relevance of SpHV-1.

Acknowledgements

The authors thank the veterinarians and veterinary technicians at the Veterinary Specialty Center in Buffalo Grove, IL for their generous donation of time and diagnostic services for these cases. We also thank the veterinary technicians, residents, and animal care staff at Shedd Aquarium for their dedication to the penguins involved in this outbreak.

Literature Cited

1.  Kincaid AL, Bunton TE, Cranfield M. 1988. Herpesvirus-like infection in black-footed penguins (Spheniscus demersus). J Wildl Dis 24(1): 173–175.

2.  Niemeyer C, Favero CN, Shivaprasad HL, Uhart M, Musso CM, Rago MV, Silva-Filho RP, Canabarro PL, Craig MI, Olivera V, Pereda A, Brandao PE, Catao-Dias JL. 2017. Genetically diverse herpesviruses in South American Atlantic coast seabirds. PLoS One 12(6):e0178811.

3.  Parsons NJ, Gous TA, van Wilpe E, Strauss V, Vanstreels RE. 2015. Herpesvirus-like respiratory infection in African penguins Spheniscus demersus admitted to a rehabilitation centre. Dis Aquat Organ 116(2):149–55.