Detection of Ursid Gammaherpesvirus 2 in Asiatic Black Bears (Ursus thibetanus) With Keratoconjunctivitis.

Ursid gammaherpesvirus 2 identified in Asiatic black bears with keratoconjunctivitis.

This study investigates the association between herpesvirus infection and ocular surface disease in captive Asiatic black bears. Eight bears at a wildlife sanctuary underwent routine health assessments with conjunctival sampling; fourteen cytobrush samples were collected across two sampling events (January and February 2024). Molecular analysis using nested PCR detected herpesvirus DNA in samples from five of eight animals. Sanger sequencing identified the virus as Ursid gammaherpesvirus 2 (UrHV-2) with >95% sequence similarity. Clinical examination revealed that seven of eight bears exhibited active or past ocular surface disease. Among PCR-positive eyes, 83% (5/6) demonstrated active keratoconjunctivitis, compared to 22% (2/9) of PCR-negative eyes. This represents the first documented identification of UrHV-2 in bears with ocular surface disease, establishing a potential epidemiological association. The findings suggest UrHV-2 may play a role in the pathogenesis of keratoconjunctivitis in this species, though further investigation is needed to establish causality and clarify the virus's pathogenic mechanisms.

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