Antibodies against european phocine herpesvirus isolates detected in sera of Antarctic seals

Summary Neutralizing antibodies against European phocine herpesvirus were detected in sera of to two Antarctic seal species, Weddell seals (Leptonychotes weddellii) and crabeater seals (Lobodon carcinophagus), collected in the eastern Weddell Sea. A large number of positive sera crossneutralized canine herpesvirus, but only few sera also contained antibodies to feline herpesvirus. The Weddell seals suffered from a respiratory disease when the sera were collected (January–February, 1990). The significance and possible origin of herpesvirus infections in Antarctic seals documented for the first time in this communication is discussed. All sera were negative for antibodies against phocine and canine distemper viruses.