Interspecies Transmission of Pseudorabies Virus Among Wild Animals

Abstract

In 2016, pseudorabies viruses (PRV) were isolated from two raccoons found dead in the western part of Japan. PRV was detected using PCR on oral swab and serum samples from one raccoon. Analysis of the complete genome indicated that the PRV contained the gene encoding glycoprotein E, which is deleted in the PRV vaccine strain available in Japan. In addition, PRV antibodies were found in 11.7% of wild boars, but not in raccoons, sampled in the same region. In conclusion, PRV was the cause of death in two raccoons, and the virus is still active in a region where domestic pigs are PRV-free. This is the first report of raccoon deaths by natural infection and of interspecies transmission of PRV among wildlife.