Adenoviral infection in infant tree shrews
Schoeb, T.R.; DaRif, C.A.
Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association 185(11): 1363-1366
1984
ISSN/ISBN: 0003-1488 PMID: 6096329 Document Number: 231177
An epizootic of fatal illness among infant common tree shrews (T. glis) occurred in a research colony. Affected tree shrews were dehyrated and ingested milk substitute remained in their stomachs for several hours without being digested. Twelve of 15 tree shrews born during a 3-mo. period died. The 4 tree shrews examined had intranuclear inclusions in the epithelium of the stomach and intestines, with mild to moderate multifocal necrosis. One tree shrew also had nasal epithelial inclusions and multiple foci of hepatocellular and biliary necrosis, with inclusions. The causative virus was identified as an adenovirus. Implications with respect to the role of humans in the transmission of the adenovirus to the tree shrews were presented. .