West Nile virus infection in free-ranging squirrels in Illinois

Kathleen M. Heinz-Taheny; John J. Andrews; Michael J. Kinsel; Allan P. Pessier; Marie E. Pinkerton; Karin Y. Lemberger; Robert J. Novak; George J. Dizikes; Eric Edwards; Nicholas Komar

doi:10.1177/104063870401600302

West Nile virus infection in free-ranging squirrels in Illinois

Kathleen M. Heinz-Taheny, John J. Andrews, Michael J. Kinsel, Allan P. Pessier, Marie E. Pinkerton, Karin Y. Lemberger, Robert J. Novak, George J. Dizikes, Eric Edwards, Nicholas Komar

Pathobiology

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

Abstract

West Nile virus (WNV) infection was diagnosed in 13 gray squirrels (Sciurus carolinensis) and 3 fox squirrels (Sciurus niger) that were observed with neurologic signs before death or found dead. All 16 had gliosis throughout all sections of the brain. Most had lymphoplasmacytic encephalitis or meningoencephalitis, many with admixed neutrophils. Neuronal necrosis and neuronophagia were also prominent features. West Nile virus antigen was demonstrated in the brain, spleen, heart or kidney in 10 of 13 gray squirrels and 3 of 3 fox squirrels by immunohistochemistry. Nucleic acid amplification tests (NAATs) confirmed the presence of WNV in the brain or spinal cord of 10/10 gray squirrels and 1/3 fox squirrels tested. Viral levels were quantified in various tissues of selected gray squirrels, and titers were highest in spleen and brain, with no virus detected in serum. This is the first description of lesions associated with WNV infection in gray and fox squirrels.

Original language	English (US)
Pages (from-to)	186-190
Number of pages	5
Journal	Journal of Veterinary Diagnostic Investigation
Volume	16
Issue number	3
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1177/104063870401600302
State	Published - May 2004

ASJC Scopus subject areas

General Veterinary

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10.1177/104063870401600302

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title = "West Nile virus infection in free-ranging squirrels in Illinois",

abstract = "West Nile virus (WNV) infection was diagnosed in 13 gray squirrels (Sciurus carolinensis) and 3 fox squirrels (Sciurus niger) that were observed with neurologic signs before death or found dead. All 16 had gliosis throughout all sections of the brain. Most had lymphoplasmacytic encephalitis or meningoencephalitis, many with admixed neutrophils. Neuronal necrosis and neuronophagia were also prominent features. West Nile virus antigen was demonstrated in the brain, spleen, heart or kidney in 10 of 13 gray squirrels and 3 of 3 fox squirrels by immunohistochemistry. Nucleic acid amplification tests (NAATs) confirmed the presence of WNV in the brain or spinal cord of 10/10 gray squirrels and 1/3 fox squirrels tested. Viral levels were quantified in various tissues of selected gray squirrels, and titers were highest in spleen and brain, with no virus detected in serum. This is the first description of lesions associated with WNV infection in gray and fox squirrels.",

author = "Heinz-Taheny, {Kathleen M.} and Andrews, {John J.} and Kinsel, {Michael J.} and Pessier, {Allan P.} and Pinkerton, {Marie E.} and Lemberger, {Karin Y.} and Novak, {Robert J.} and Dizikes, {George J.} and Eric Edwards and Nicholas Komar",

year = "2004",

month = may,

doi = "10.1177/104063870401600302",

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AU - Heinz-Taheny, Kathleen M.

AU - Andrews, John J.

AU - Kinsel, Michael J.

AU - Pessier, Allan P.

AU - Pinkerton, Marie E.

AU - Lemberger, Karin Y.

AU - Novak, Robert J.

AU - Dizikes, George J.

AU - Edwards, Eric

AU - Komar, Nicholas

PY - 2004/5

Y1 - 2004/5

N2 - West Nile virus (WNV) infection was diagnosed in 13 gray squirrels (Sciurus carolinensis) and 3 fox squirrels (Sciurus niger) that were observed with neurologic signs before death or found dead. All 16 had gliosis throughout all sections of the brain. Most had lymphoplasmacytic encephalitis or meningoencephalitis, many with admixed neutrophils. Neuronal necrosis and neuronophagia were also prominent features. West Nile virus antigen was demonstrated in the brain, spleen, heart or kidney in 10 of 13 gray squirrels and 3 of 3 fox squirrels by immunohistochemistry. Nucleic acid amplification tests (NAATs) confirmed the presence of WNV in the brain or spinal cord of 10/10 gray squirrels and 1/3 fox squirrels tested. Viral levels were quantified in various tissues of selected gray squirrels, and titers were highest in spleen and brain, with no virus detected in serum. This is the first description of lesions associated with WNV infection in gray and fox squirrels.

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West Nile virus infection in free-ranging squirrels in Illinois

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