Bluetongue in Eurasian Lynx
Author Information
Author(s): Jauniaux Thierry P., De Clercq Kris E., Cassart Dominique E., Kennedy Seamus, Vandenbussche Frank E., Vandemeulebroucke Elise L., Vanbinst Tine M., Verheyden Bart I., Goris Nesya E., Coignoul Freddy L.
Primary Institution: Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences
Hypothesis
Can bluetongue virus (BTV) infect Eurasian lynx and what are the implications for disease transmission?
Conclusion
The study reports BTV infection and death in two Eurasian lynx, suggesting that the virus can infect carnivorous species.
Supporting Evidence
- BTV was isolated from one lynx, confirming the presence of the virus.
- Both lynx showed severe necropsy findings consistent with BTV infection.
- Anti-BTV antibodies were detected in lung tissue fluid from one lynx.
Takeaway
This study shows that a virus usually affecting sheep can also make lynx sick, which is surprising and means we need to think about how the virus spreads.
Methodology
The study involved necropsy findings and real-time reverse transcriptase–quantitative PCR techniques to analyze tissue samples.
Limitations
The study is based on only two cases, which may not represent the broader population of lynx.
Participant Demographics
Two Eurasian lynx from a zoo in Belgium.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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