OPTIMIZATION AND VALIDATION OF CYTOKINE qPCRs TO TEST THE IMMUNE RESPONSE OF ELEPHANTS DURING ELEPHANT ENDOTHEIOTROPIC HERPES VIRUS HEMORRHAGIC DISEASE (EEHV-HD)

Abstract

Elephant endotheliotropic herpes viruses (EEHVs) are a group of herpes viruses unique to elephants, that can cause acute, fatal hemorrhagic disease (EEHV-HD) in young elephants. Since EEHV has not yet been successfully cultured in vitro, studying the virus has been limited to genome-based approaches and, as a result, no effective treatment or specific vaccine has been developed so far. In the present study Asian elephant specific real time RT-PCR assays were developed and validated for use in SYBR green. These RT-qPCR assays could be used in additional testing to compare systemic immune responses between elephants with and without EEHV-HD. Knowledge of the exact pathogenesis of EEHV coagulopathy will be useful for further development of therapeutic interventions and treatment protocols.