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Rustrela Virus Infection – A New Emerging Neuropathogen of Red-necked Wallabies ( Macropus rufogriseus)
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  • Anne Voss,
  • Patricia Schlieben,
  • Sascha Gerst,
  • Christoph Langner,
  • Michael Niesler,
  • Petra Schad,
  • Martin Beer,
  • Dennis Rubbenstroth,
  • Angele Breithaupt,
  • Lars Mundhenk
Anne Voss
Freie Universitat Berlin Fachbereich Veterinarmedizin

Corresponding Author:[email protected]

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Patricia Schlieben
Berlin-Brandenburg State Laboratory Frankfurt (Oder) Germany
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Sascha Gerst
Department for Diagnostic Investigation of Epizootics State Office for Agriculture Food Safety and Fishery Mecklenburg-Vorpommern Rostock Germany
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Christoph Langner
Stralsund Zoological Garden Stralsund Germany
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Michael Niesler
Perleberg Zoological Garden Perleberg Germany
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Petra Schad
Veterinary Practice Pausin Schönwalde im Glien Germany
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Martin Beer
Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut Bundesforschungsinstitut fur Tiergesundheit
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Dennis Rubbenstroth
Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut Bundesforschungsinstitut fur Tiergesundheit
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Angele Breithaupt
Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut Bundesforschungsinstitut fur Tiergesundheit
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Lars Mundhenk
Freie Universitat Berlin Fachbereich Veterinarmedizin
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Abstract

The rustrela virus (RusV) was recently described as a novel pathogen in a circumscribed area of northern Germany close to the Baltic Sea. Up to now, the virus has been detected in cases of fatal non-suppurative meningoencephalitis in zoo animals of different species and a single wild carnivore as well as in apparently healthy yellow-necked field mice ( Apodemus flavicollis). Data regarding the background of this previously undiscovered pathogen, including clinical presentation of the disease, host range, and distribution of the virus, are still limited. Here, three euthanized red-necked wallabies ( Macropus rufogriseus) from zoos of different areas in northeastern Germany were submitted for necropsy after presenting with apathy and therapeutically unresponsive neurological symptoms. A moderate to severe, non-suppurative meningoencephalitis was diagnosed in all three cases. RusV was consistently detected via RT-qPCR and RNA in situ hybridization in the brains of all wallabies. Other, commonly known neuropathogens could not be detected. Overall, red-necked wallabies appear to be highly susceptible to RusV as novel neuropathogen, which is broader distributed in northeastern Germany.
01 Jun 2022Submitted to Transboundary and Emerging Diseases
01 Jun 2022Submission Checks Completed
01 Jun 2022Assigned to Editor
20 Jun 2022Reviewer(s) Assigned
06 Jul 2022Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
07 Jul 2022Editorial Decision: Revise Minor
02 Sep 20221st Revision Received
06 Sep 2022Submission Checks Completed
06 Sep 2022Assigned to Editor
10 Sep 2022Reviewer(s) Assigned
15 Sep 2022Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
15 Sep 2022Editorial Decision: Accept