Herpesvirus-like infection in black-footed penguins (Spheniscus demersus).

A herpesvirus-like infection is described in the black-footed penguin (Spheniscus demersus). Clinically, the infection was characterized by debilitation and respiratory distress. Histopathological lesions were confined to the respiratory tract and consisted of inflammation and syncytial cell formation with Type A intranuclear inclusions in sinuses, trachea, and mainstem bronchi. Electron microscopy demonstrated polyhedral viral particles 80-140 nm in size consistent with Herpetoviridae. The lesions resembled those seen in infectious laryngotracheitis.