Hamster Viruses

Question 1

What is HaPV?

Answer 1

Hamster Parvovirus

Question 2

What is another name for Hamster parvovirus or HaPV?

Answer 2

Rodent Protoparvovirus-1 (RPV-1)

Question 3

What age does HaPV typically affect?

Answer 3

suckling to weanling hamsters (up to 4 weeks)

Question 4

Clinical signs of HaPV

Answer 4

• Usually subclinical
• High mortality in some cases
• Ataxia
• Diarrhea
• Runting and wasting

Question 5

You see a hamster pup with enamel hypoplasia, what is one of your top differentials?

Answer 5

Hamster parvovirus

Question 6

Gross findings of Hamster Parvovirus

Answer 6

• domed calvaria
• potbellied appearance
• marked discoloration, malformation, and absence of the incisor teeth
• hemorrhage in cerebrum and cerebellum
• thrombosis and transmural hemorrhage in small intestine leading to diarrhea

Question 7

Histopathological findings of hamster parvovirus

Answer 7

• enamel hypoplasia of the incisor teeth, periodontitis, hemorrhage in the dental pulp
• multifocal cerebral malacia
• testicular hypoplasia w/ necrosis and mineralization of seminiferous tubules
• intranuclear inclusions in the endothelium

Question 8

HaPV
1. transmission
2. diagnosis
3. treatment and prevention
4. research significance

Answer 8

1. likely inhalation or ingestion of viral particles
2. PCR
3. quarantine / disinfection and depopulation / prevent infection by monitoring biologicals
4. persistent infections

Question 9

T/F HaPV is not related to mouse and rat parvoviruses

Answer 9

False; it is closely related; likely derived from mouse parvovirus 3

Question 10

T/F Hamsters are susceptible to paroviruses from rats and mice

Answer 10

True

Question 11

What lesions can form in hamsters with infections from other parvoviruses

Answer 11

• tooth loss and discoloration, facial bone deformities, diarrhea, ataxia, and stunted growth
• intestinal hemorrhage, petechial hemorrhages, pale spleen or liver, testicular hypoplasia, and cerebellar hypoplasia

Question 12

What is another name for Hamster polyoma virus (HaPyV)

Answer 12

transmissible lymphoma

Question 13

• What is the natural host of HaPyV?
• Which species is highly susceptible to HaPyV-induced tumors?

Answer 13

• European hamsters
• Syrian hamstesr

Question 14

Review HaPyV in the European hamster

Answer 14

• they are the natural host
• they typical have a subclinical infection in spleen and kidneys
• persistently shed virus in urine
• DO NOT DEVELOP NEOPLASIA

Question 15

Review HaPyV in the Syrian Hamster

Answer 15

• High susceptible to HaPyV-induced tumors (initially lymphoma, then trichoepithelioma once infection is enzootic)
• lymphoma and trichoepithelioma are very rare otherwise, so assume HaPyV-associated when ID’ed

Question 16

Differeniate epizootic and enzootic HaPyV infections

Answer 16

Epizootic infections: lymphoma
- YOUNG hamsters
- Mesenteric LNn and GALT are most common sites, but may infiltrate other organs or LNNs
- Usually B-cell, but thymic masses are T-cell
- Latent virus (not infectious) within tumor cells

Enzootic infections: Trichoepitheliomas
- OLD hamsters
- face, feet, elsewhere
- infectious virus in keratinocytes
- virus still primarily shed in urine

Question 17

HaPyV
1. Transmission
2. prevention and control

Answer 17

1. shed in urine or in keratin from tumors
2. • maternal antibodies are protective but wane
   • culling and decontamination, but virus is VERY stable in environment
   • Susceptible to DNAase, phenols, and KOH, resistant to most other disinfectants

Question 18

Which species is the primary reservoir of LCMV?
Which species is the most common source of human infection?

Answer 18

1. mice
2. hamsters

Question 19

Clinical signs of LCMV in hamsters

Answer 19

• usually brief and subclinical in adults
• congenitally infected or newborn hamsters may or may not have clinical signs
  — mass viral shedding
  — persistent infections: runting, decreased activity, decreased reproductive performance, or slow wasting to death

Question 20

Histopath findings of LCMV

Answer 20

• vasculitis
• glomerulonephritis from antigen-antibody complexes
• Lymphocytic inflammation in meninges, brain, liver, kidney, pancreas, lung, spleen

Question 21

LCMV
1. Diagnosis
2. Transmission

Answer 21

1. PCR (most common); Serology; test biologicals for virus
2. Biologicals; all bodily fluids (especially Syrian hamsters); horizontal and vertical transmission (fomites not reliable form of spread)

Question 22

LCMV
1. research impact
2. prevention and control

Answer 22

1. Zoonotic (BSL-3 for hamsters) – direct contact or inhalation of aerosolized rodent excretions or secretions
2. Regular testing and elimination of infected animals and biologicals; prevent access to wild rodents

Question 23

Sources of Sendai Virus infection in hamsters

Answer 23

typically, other lab animal species via direct contact, fomites, or inhalation of aerosols

Question 24

Gross findings of Sendai Virus in hamsters

Answer 24

• consolidation of lungs

Question 25

Histopath findings of Sendai Virus in hamsters

Answer 25

- hyperplasia of nasal and bronchiolar epithelium - peribronchiolar lymphocytic infiltrates (cuffs) - peribronchiolar edema - segmental necrotizing inflammation of airways

Question 26

Sendai Virus 1. diagnosis 2. Prevention and control

Answer 26

1. serology is preferred diagnostic for hamsters; can use PCR for biologicals 2. sentinels may miss disease - fomites aren't reliable

Question 27

T/F hamsters do not have a hamster-specific adenovirus but do appear to be susceptible to adenoviruses of other species

Answer 27

True -- they are typically subclinical unless immunocompromised

Question 28

What are the two most significant viruses to hamster health

Answer 28

1. Hamster parvovirus 2. Hamster polyoma virus

Question 29

What should you screen hamsters for when bringing them into your colonies?

Answer 29

- HaPV - HaPyV - LCMV - Reovirus 3 - Sendai Virus - Mouse Pneumonia virus (Pneumonia virus of mice)