The isolation and partial characterization of a highly pathogenic herpesvirus from the harbor seal (Phoca vitulina).

• Published in: Archives of Virology
• Main Authors: Osterhaus, A.D.M.E. (Albert), Yang, H. (Hong), Spijkers, H.E.M. (Ine), Groen, J. (Jan), Teppema, J.S., Steenis, G. (Bert) van
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: 1985
• Subjects: 0 (Antibodies; Viral); 60-29-7 (Ether; Ethyl); Animals; Antibodies; Viral/analysis; Cells; Cultured; Cytopathogenic Effect; Viral; Ether; Ethyl/pharmacology; Heat; Herpesviridae/immunology/*isolation & purification/ultrastructure; Human; Microscopy; Electron; Neutralization Tests; Pinnipedia/*microbiology; Seals/*microbiology; Virus Replication; harbor seal; Phoca vitulina
• Online Access: http://repub.eur.nl/pub/3300; https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01309828

This report describes the first isolation and partial characterization of a herpesvirus from the harbor seal (Phoca vitulina). The virus was isolated during a disease outbreak in a group of young seals nursed in a seal orphanage in The Netherlands. Almost half of the seals died with symptoms of acute pneumonia and focal hepatitis and the virus was isolated of organs of most of the dead animals. Seven out of ten seals of which paired serum samples were obtained showed seroconversion in a virus neut