Improving Research Strategies for Viral Disease of Elephants

Elephant endotheliotropic herpesvirus (EEHV) causes a highly lethal disease in Asian elephants, and poses a major threat to wild and captive breeding. Research in EEHV has been impeded by difficulties in growing the virus in sufficient sample size for study. Using a variety of alternative new methods, researchers will attempt to grow and propagate this virus under laboratory conditions to generate the large quantities of virus needed for future research in understanding EEHV and developing treatment strategies. Successful propagation would help overcome the current bottleneck in EEHV research and help to accelerate research that will greatly improve the prospects for survival of the critically endangered Asian elephant. This Fellowship Training Grant will also support a student completing his PhD training and transitioning into a career as a veterinary pathology researcher.