Elevated IL-6, IL-10, and IFN-γ levels in fatal elephant endotheliotropic herpesvirus - hemorrhagic disease cases suggest an excessive proinflammatory cytokine response contributes to pathogenesis.

ABSTRACT:

Introduction

Hemorrhagic disease developed as a consequence of an EEHV infection (EEHV-HD) is the leading cause of death of young Asian elephants in Zoos worldwide and also affects elephants in range countries. Although a cytokine storm has long been suggested to underlie disease pathogenesis, there is little evidence and the role of cytokines in EEHV-HD pathogenesis remains unclear to date.

Methods

In the current study, we compared mRNA levels of eight different cytokines between blood and tissue samples of EEHV-HD cases (n=11) and controls (n=12) in order to determine whether cytokines may contribute to EEHV-HD pathogenesis.

Results

We show the presence of significantly elevated mRNA levels of IFN-γ, IL-6 and IL-10, cytokines typically associated with cytokine storm

SUBMITTER: Hoornweg TE 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12597985 | biostudies-literature | 2025

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature