Retrospective investigation of archived tissue samples from 3 lions displaying nonsuppurative meningoencephalitis and vasculitis led to the detection of rustrela virus (RusV). We confirmed RusV antigen and RNA in cortical neurons, axons, astrocytes and Purkinje cells by reverse transcription quantitative PCR, immunohistochemistry, and in situ hybridization.
Keywords: Baumgärtner W; Beer M; Germany; Pfaff F; Puff C; Rubivirus; Rubivirus strelense; Suggested citation for this article: de le Roi M; Wohlsein P; et al. Rustrela virus as putative cause of nonsuppurative meningoencephalitis in lions. Emerg Infect Dis. 2023 May [date cited]. https://doi.org/10.3201/eid2905.230172; lions; meningitis/encephalitis; meningoencephalitis; retrospective study; rustrela virus; viruses.