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Feline morbillivirus (FeMV) was first isolated in 2012 from stray cats in Hong Kong. It has been found in association with tubulointerstitial nephritis (TIN), the most common cause of feline chronic kidney disease (CKD). However, viral host spectrum and virus tropism go beyond the domestic cat and kidney tissues. The viral genetic diversity of FeMV is extensive, but it is not known if this is clinically relevant. Urine and kidney tissues have been widely tested in attempts to confirm associations between FeMV infection and renal disease, but samples from both healthy and sick cats can test positive and some cross-sectional studies have not found associations between FeMV infection and CKD. There is also evidence for acute kidney injury following infection with FeMV. The results of prevalence studies differ greatly depending on the population tested and methodologies used for detection, but worldwide distribution of FeMV has been shown. Experimental studies have confirmed previous field observations that higher viral loads are present in the urine compared to other tissues, and renal TIN lesions associated with FeMV antigen have been demonstrated, alongside virus lymphotropism and viraemia-associated lymphopenia. Longitudinal field studies have revealed persistent viral shedding in urine, although infection can be cleared spontaneously.

Since 2010, Guiana dolphin morbillivirus (GDMV; family Paramyxoviridae , genus Morbillivirus , species Morbillivirus ceti , syn. Cetacean morbillivirus ) is recognized as the cause of death of multiple cetacean species along the Brazilian coast, including an unusual mortality event in Rio de Janeiro state. Coronaviruses of the genus Gammacoronavirus (family Coronaviridae ) have been previously detected in cetaceans in the northern hemisphere. After the emergence of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), responsible for the COVID-19 pandemic and with the potential to affect several mammal species, there is an increased concern about the risk of infection in aquatic mammals. The goal of this study was to molecularly screen the presence of morbillivirus and coronavirus infections in cetaceans stranded in several regions of the Brazilian coast in order to determine their occurrence rates, pathogenicity, and range of potentially susceptible cetacean species. We molecularly tested tissue samples of 118 cetaceans, belonging to 20 species, found stranded in Brazil, between 2015 and 2022. Overall, 2.5% (3/118) of the analyzed cetaceans were positive for GDMV infection: a Guiana dolphin ( Sotalia guianensis ), an Atlantic spotted dolphin ( Stenella frontalis ), and a humpback whale ( Megaptera novaeangliae ). None of the animals were positive for coronavirus. Our findings indicate that the morbillivirus sequence type identified in Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphins ( Tursiops aduncus ) of Australia and our GDMV sequences from Brazil belong to the same strain. The systematic monitoring of cetacean morbilliviruses is recommended to properly estimate the occurrence rate, pathogenicity and evolution of these viruses, which may help anticipate novel epizooties and reduce their impact on endangered cetacean populations.

Herpesvirus (HV) is widely distributed among cetacean populations, with the highest prevalence reported in the Mediterranean Sea. In this study, a comprehensive analysis was conducted, including epidemiological, phylogenetic, and pathological aspects, with particular emphasis on neuropathology, to better understand the impact of HV in these animals. Our results show a higher presence of HV in males compared to females, with males exhibiting a greater number of positive tissues. Additionally, adults were more frequently affected by HV infection than juveniles, with no infections detected in calves or neonates. The affected species were striped ( Stenella coeruleoalba ) and bottlenose dolphins ( Tursiops truncatus ). The highest positivity rates were observed in the genital system, cerebrum, and skin tissues. Phylogenetic analysis indicated a higher occurrence of Gammaherpesvirus (GHV) sequences but increased genetic diversity within Alphaherpesvirus (AHV). Key neuropathological features included astro-microgliosis (n = 4) and meningitis with minimal to mild perivascular cuffing (n = 2). The presence of concurrent infections with other pathogens, particularly cetacean morbillivirus (CeMV), underscores the complex nature of infectious diseases in cetaceans. However, the presence of lesions at the Central Nervous System (CNS) with molecular positivity for GHV, excluding the involvement of other potential neurotropic agents, would confirm the potential of this HV subfamily to induce neurological damage. Pathological examination identified lesions in other organs that could potentially be associated with HV, characterized by lymphoid depletion and tissue inflammation. These findings enhance our understanding of HV in odontocetes and highlight the need for ongoing research into the factors driving these infections and their broader implications.

Cetacean morbillivirus is an etiologic agent associated with strandings of live and dead cetacean species occurring sporadically or as epizootics worldwide. We report 2 cases of cetacean morbillivirus in humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) in Brazil and describe the anatomopathological, immunohistochemical, and molecular characterization findings in the specimens.

Cetacean morbillivirus (CeMV) drives recurrent unusual‐mortality events, yet surveillance is uneven where laboratory capacity is limited. We developed a portable reverse transcription‐insulated isothermal PCR (RT‐iiPCR) assay targeting a conserved phosphoprotein (P)‐gene segment and evaluated analytical performance, tissue‐level clinical sensitivity, and concordance with reverse transcription‐quantitative PCR (RT‐qPCR) under low‐copy conditions that resemble challenging strandings. Using synthetic RNA, RT‐iiPCR achieved 100% detection from 62,560 to 513 copies µL −1 , and probit analysis estimated a 95% limit of detection (LOD 95 ) of 139 copies µL −1 . Clinical sensitivity was assessed with two spiking regimes (RNA added after or before extraction) in cerebrum and lung. Singleplex RT‐iiPCR maintained 100% positivity to approximately cycle threshold (Ct) 33 irrespective of spiking order, indicating that near‐limit failures are governed by template scarcity rather than extraction loss. Duplex RT‐iiPCR co‐amplifying β2‐microglobulin (B2M) provided process control with a slight sensitivity cost, sustaining perfect detection to ~Ct 30–31. Across low‐copy panels, agreement with RT‐qPCR was substantial (overall κ = 0.68–0.76) and very good in cerebrum (singleplex κ = 0.85; duplex κ = 0.87), while duplex lung showed lower concordance ( κ = 0.55) driven solely by Ct >33 false‐negative calls, with no false positives. The assay detected five lineages (dolphin morbillivirus [DMV], pilot whale morbillivirus [PWMV], beaked whale morbillivirus [BWMV], Guiana DMV [GDMV], and Fraser’s DMV [FDMV]) in formalin‐fixed, paraffin‐embedded tissues archived up to 28 years, and sequence alignments indicate expected coverage of additional lineages. Lyophilized reagents, compact hardware, and a quick, simple workflow support deployment in hot, humid, resource‐limited settings. A strain‐agnostic, field‐ready RT‐iiPCR can underpin transboundary CeMV surveillance, enable rapid carcass triage and sequencing, and provide early warning where diagnostic gaps currently exist.

Cetacean morbillivirus (CeMV) causes illness and death in cetaceans worldwide; the CeMV strains circulating in the Southern Hemisphere are poorly known. We detected a pilot whale CeMV strain in 3 short-finned pilot whales (Globicephala macrorhynchus) stranded in Brazil during July-October 2020. Our results confirm this virus circulates in this species.

Background Cetacean morbillivirus, herpesvirus, avian influenza virus (AIV) and Brucella spp. have been linked to numerous cetacean strandings in the Northeast (NE) Atlantic. Yet, their prevalence in free-living cetaceans remains insufficiently investigated, particularly in northern regions. Methods Between 2016 and 2025, humpback whales ( Megaptera novaeangliae ), sperm whales ( Physeter macrocephalus ) and, opportunistically, fin whales ( Balaenoptera physalus ) and a long-finned pilot whale ( Globicephala melas ), were sampled in two foraging grounds in northern Norway (Skjervøy and Andenes), in Iceland and in Cape Verde. Blow samples ( n  = 76), skin biopsies ( n  = 45), and organ samples from one stranded pilot whale were collected and screened for cetacean morbillivirus, herpesvirus, AIV and Brucella spp, via polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Results In northern Norway, cetacean morbillivirus, identified as the dolphin morbillivirus (DMV) strain, was detected in the blows of two asymptomatic groups of humpback whales, in the blow of one sperm whale in poor health and in the kidney of a stranded pilot whale. An alphaherpesvirus was detected in the blows of five humpback whale groups sampled in Norway, Iceland, and Cape Verde, while a gammaherpesvirus was detected in one humpback whale skin biopsy, sampled in Norway. No other samples tested positive to any of the pathogens, including AIV or Brucella spp. Conclusion Our results demonstrate that minimally invasive sampling, particularly blow sampling, can be used for pathogen surveillance in free-ranging cetaceans. They also provide new insights into the circulation of cetacean morbillivirus and herpesviruses in cetaceans from the NE Atlantic. Continuous monitoring of pathogen exposure, alongside other stressors, will be crucial to assess the cumulative health implications for these cetaceans.

Following the X-Press Pearl maritime disaster off the coast of Sri Lanka, a stranded spinner dolphin (Stenella longirostris) was recovered, and the cause of death was investigated. Post-mortem examinations revealed evidence of by-catch, but a natural coinfection with dolphin morbillivirus (DMV) and gammaherpesvirus was detected by further analyses, marking the first documented case of a dual viral infection in this species within the region. Molecular diagnostics, including PCR and sequencing, were performed on tissue imprints collected on FTA® cards, confirming the presence of DMV in the prescapular lymph node and gammaherpesvirus in the lesions in the oral cavity. The concurrent detection of DMV and gammaherpesvirus raises significant concerns regarding the potential impacts of environmental stressors, such as chemical pollutants from the X-Press Pearl maritime disaster, on exacerbating susceptibility to viral infections in marine mammals. These findings highlight the need for ongoing surveillance of cetacean populations in the Indian Ocean to better understand pathogen circulation and health and conservation implications of anthropogenic activities on the marine ecosystem.

The monitoring of herpesvirus infection provides useful information when assessing marine mammals’ health. This paper shows the prevalence of herpesvirus infection (80.85%) in 47 cetaceans stranded on the coast of the Valencian Community, Spain. Of the 966 tissues evaluated, 121 tested positive when employing nested-PCR (12.53%). The largest proportion of herpesvirus-positive tissue samples was in the reproductive system, nervous system, and tegument. Herpesvirus was more prevalent in females, juveniles, and calves. More than half the DNA PCR positive tissues contained herpesvirus RNA, indicating the presence of actively replicating virus. This RNA was most frequently found in neonates. Fourteen unique sequences were identified. Most amplified sequences belonged to the Gammaherpesvirinae subfamily, but a greater variation was found in Alphaherpesvirinae sequences. This is the first report of systematic herpesvirus DNA and RNA determination in free-ranging cetaceans. Nine (19.14%) were infected with cetacean morbillivirus and all of them (100%) were coinfected with herpesvirus. Lesions similar to those caused by herpesvirus in other species were observed, mainly in the skin, upper digestive tract, genitalia, and central nervous system. Other lesions were also attributable to concomitant etiologies or were nonspecific. It is necessary to investigate the possible role of herpesvirus infection in those cases.

Background Feline morbillivirus (FeMV) has been associated with renal pathology in cats; however, the specific pathological alterations caused by FeMV infection remain controversial. This study aimed to investigate histopathological changes, viral localization, and apoptotic activity in the kidneys of FeMV-infected cats. Methods Kidney tissues from 150 deceased cats with suspected or confirmed chronic kidney disease (CKD) were screened for FeMV using conventional reverse-transcription PCR (cRT-PCR). Positive cases were genotyped and quantified for viral load using reverse-transcription digital PCR (RT-dPCR). A control group of nine FeMV-negative kidneys with CKD was included for comparison. Histological evaluation was conducted using hematoxylin and eosin (H&E), periodic acid–Schiff (PAS), and Masson’s trichrome staining. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) and in situ hybridization (ISH) were employed to localize viral antigens and assess expression of apoptotic markers, including cleaved caspase-3 (cCasp3), B-cell lymphoma 2 (BCL-2), and BCL-2–associated X protein (BAX). Results FeMV RNA was detected in 6% (9/150) of kidneys, all classified as genotype 1. Histological findings in FeMV-positive cases included eosinophilic intracytoplasmic inclusion bodies, lymphoplasmacytic tubulointerstitial nephritis (TIN) and varying degrees of fibrosis. FeMV antigens were localized in the renal tubular epithelial cells. Statistically, cCasp3 expression ( P  = 0.005) and interstitial fibrosis ( P  = 0.040) were significantly higher in FeMV-positive cases than in FeMV-negative controls. No significant differences were observed for TIN, BAX, or BCL-2 expression ( P  > 0.05). Among FeMV-positive cases, viral load was significantly associated with cCasp3 expression ( P  = 0.049), but not with TIN, fibrosis, BAX, or BCL-2 expression. Spearman’s correlation revealed a strong positive correlation between viral load and cCasp3 expression (ρ = 0.8222, P  = 0.007). Conclusions FeMV infection in cats was associated with increased caspase-3–mediated apoptotic activity and interstitial fibrosis in kidney tissue, particularly in cases with higher viral loads. While these findings suggest a possible role for FeMV in renal injury, the absence of consistent associations with other apoptotic markers and inflammatory parameters indicates that additional factors may contribute to disease progression. Further studies, including longitudinal and experimental investigations, are needed to clarify the pathogenic mechanisms and the clinical relevance of FeMV in feline kidney disease.