Aujeszky’s Disease in a Grey Wolf (Canis lupus) in Poland

Aujeszky’s disease (AD), caused by suid herpesvirus 1 (pseudorabies virus, PRV), is a highly contagious infection primarily affecting swine, with wild boars serving as an important reservoir in Europe. Spillover infections in non-suid species, including carnivores, are rare but typically fatal and of epidemiological concern. This study presents the first case of AD in a grey wolf (Canis lupus) in Central Europe with genomic characterization. The 8-month-old wolf was found in the Carpathians (SE Poland), moribund with acute neurological signs, and euthanized for animal welfare reasons. Necropsy revealed no pathognomonic gross lesions. Molecular analyses of tissues confirmed the presence of PRV DNA using real-time PCR, and virus isolation was successful. Genomic analysis revealed that the PRV isolate clustered within genotype I, the predominant circulating genotype in Europe. However, due to the limited availability of reference PRV genome sequences from European wildlife, the precise geographic origin and transmission pathways of this strain could not be fully resolved. In the presented case, wild boars were considered a possible source of infection. This highlights the potential for PRV transmission to apex predators. This study emphasizes the importance of systematic surveillance of PRV in wildlife and the need for expanded genomic databases of PRV strains. Full-genome sequencing is crucial for improving the understanding of PRV transmission.