CASE REPORT: Fatal bronchopneumonia in an African pygmy hedgehog

Infections caused by adenoviruses are generally subclinical and species-specific but this report describes a case that did not follow the rule. It involves hedgehogs which died following infection with a skunk adenovirus 1 (SkAdV-1).

Eleven adult African pygmy hedgehogs were added to a group of 35 animals and, within ten days, eight of the 35 resident animals started showing oculonasal discharge.  None of the introduced animals were affected. A few days later, three of the affected animals died and the tissues from one were fixed in formalin. Among other findings, histopathology showed tracheal and bronchial epithelial necrosis. Intranuclear inclusions with peripheral chromatin were also noted in the necrotic epithelial cells. An aerobic culture of lung swabs grew Morganella morganii and Enterococcus spp.

As there were concerns as to the potential presence of herpesvirus or adenovirus, the formalin-fixed lung was submitted for transmission electron microscopy followed by the sequencing of the amplicon (resultant from the nested PCR amplification of a 500-bp fragment of adenoviral DNA polymerase gene). The amplicon had 100% homology to SkAdv-1.

This report raises the possibility of a skunk-to-hedgehog SkAdV-1 transfer, although it is unclear why the introduced animals were not affected. Further investigation as to the prevalence of this virus in these species is needed, together with research about the pathogen’s capability to colonize and infect other animals. This study also supports concerns surrounding mixed-species husbandry.

Needle, David B. et al. Fatal bronchopneumonia caused by skunk adenovirus 1 in an African pygmy hedgehog. Journal of Veterinary Diagnostic Investigation 2019, Vol. 31(1) 103–106. https://doi.org/10.1177/104063871881212