Pseudorabies virus (PRV) or suid herpesvirus 1 (SHV-1) is the causative agent of
Aujeszky's disease, a highly contagious viral infection which causes neurological fatal
illness in mammals other than suids. Here we report a case of a young wolf (Canis
lupus) of around 2 years found dead by a hunter in the province of Avellino, Campania
Region. Necropsy showed pathological findings consistent with encephalitis and gastroenteritis.
Organs were analysed by microbiological and molecular investigations
following standard procedures to ascertain the possible cause of death. Real-time
PCR revealed the presence of PRV in the brain and of canine parvovirus 2b in organs
like intestine, liver, brain, kidney and pancreas. Death probably occurred very shortly
after SHV-1 infection in an animal already weakened by parvovirosis