First detected case of rabbit Haemorrhagic disease virus 2 (RHDV2) in the Irish hare (Lepus timidus hibernicus)

Aideen Kennedy,Orla Flynn,Jose Maria Lozano,Margaret Wilson,Ferdia Marnell,Neil Reid,William Fitzgerald,Maire Mcelroy,Louise Britton,Mícheál Casey,Christina Byrne,Andrew W Byrne

doi:10.1186/s13620-021-00205-2

Abstract

BackgroundRabbit haemorrhagic disease virus (RHDV) is a Lagovirus, a subgroup of the family Caliciviridae. RHDV2 is a variant first described in France in 2010, and has since spread globally. It has been reported in several Lagomorph species (rabbits, hares, and their relatives) as well as other mammals including voles and shrews. The disease has raised international concerns for its potential impact on population abundance trajectories, particularly as 25% of Lagomorphs are currently Red-Listed by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN). The Irish hare (Lepus timidus hibernicus) is a subspecies of the mountain hare, L. timidus, and is endemic to Ireland, making it an Evolutionarily Significant Unit of intrinsic value.Case presentationThe first case of RHDV2 was detected in a wild Irish hare in July 2019. The individual exhibited atypical neurological behaviour (running in circles) prior to death. On necropsy, pink tinged foam was seen in the trachea and congestion was noted in the lungs, but there was no evidence of haemorrhages in any other organ. Both the liver and spleen were tested by reverse transcription real time qPCR confirming high levels of RHDV2 RNA. Histopathology confirmed multifocal necrotising hepatitis.ConclusionThe Irish hare is susceptible to RHDV2 infection. Further investigation is warranted to explore the clinical, epidemiological, and population biology implications.

Highlights

Rabbit haemorrhagic disease virus (RHDV) is a Lagovirus, a subgroup of the family Caliciviridae
The Irish hare is susceptible to RHDV2 infection
First case of RHDV2 in the Irish hare A wild juvenile female Irish hare, which was observed running in circles prior to death, was submitted for necropsy on 25th July 2019 to the Kilkenny Regional Veterinary Laboratory, Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) by a National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) Conservation Ranger from the Wexford Wildfowl Reserve (52°21′32.1′′N 6°25′11.8′′W, Irish Grid Reference T 076239)

Summary

Introduction

Rabbit haemorrhagic disease virus (RHDV) is a Lagovirus, a subgroup of the family Caliciviridae. Keyword: RHDV2, Endemic species, Wildlife disease, Hare coursing, Calicivirus, RT-PCR *Correspondence: AndrewWByrne@agriculture.gov.ie 1 Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM), Dublin, Ireland Full list of author information is available at the end of the article have been reported ranging from peracute to chronic [1].

Results

Conclusion