Widespread presence of novel gammaherpesviruses in lagomorph species (Oryctolagus cuniculus, Lepus spp. and Ochotona alpina).

ABSTRACT:

Background

Gammaherpesviruses co-evolve with their hosts, resulting in species-specific associations and restricted host tropism. In lagomorphs, six herpesviruses (LeHV-1 to LeHV-6) have been identified, with LeHV-4 being associated with mortality in European rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus), while the others cause asymptomatic infections. LeHV-5 has been hypothesized to contribute to high morbidity and mortality in Iberian hares (Lepus granatensis) when in presence of concomitant infections such as myxomatosis. However, herpesvirus infections in wild and domestic lagomorphs remain poorly understood.

Methods

Here, we conducted the first large-scale screening for herpesviruses in lagomorphs. Using a generalist PCR, we analyzed over 1,000 DNA samples from European rabbits, hare

SUBMITTER: Matos MC 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12729687 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature