Serological evidence of African pygmy hedgehog adenovirus 1 in exotic companion animals.

Abstract

African pygmy hedgehog adenovirus 1 (AhAdV-1) was first identified in 2020 from a colony of African pygmy hedgehogs that succumbed to severe bronchopneumonia in Japan. AhAdV-1 is closely related to Skunk adenovirus 1, which was isolated from a wild skunk with acute hepatitis and pneumonia in Canada in 2015. Similar viruses have been isolated or detected in a diverse range of animals across multiple countries. While adenoviruses are generally considered highly species-specific, the host range of AhAdV-1 remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate the potential host range of AhAdV-1 through serological surveillance among 17 exotic animal species that visited a veterinary hospital in Fukuoka, Japan. Neutralizing antibodies against AhAdV-1 were detected in several species, with particularly high seroprevalence observed in meerkats (41%), ferrets (62%), and African pygmy hedgehogs (63%). Notably, ferrets and hedgehogs with a history of respiratory symptoms exhibited significantly higher seroprevalence compared to asymptomatic individuals. These findings suggest a broad host range for AhAdV-1, with certain species showing high exposure rates. Further investigations are needed to determine the sources and transmission routes of AhAdV-1, as well as its potential for zoonotic infection.