Use of famciclovir for the treatment of endotheliotrophic herpesvirus infections in Asian elephants (Elephas maximus)

Two juvenile Asian elephants (Elephas maximus) presented with an acute onse t of facial edema and lethargy. Examination of the oral cavity of each anim al revealed cyanosis of the tip and distal margins of the tongue suggestive of endothelial inclusion body disease (EIBD) of elephants. Whole-blood sam ples were obtained, and polymerase chain reaction rests confirmed the prese nce of elephant herpesvirus. The animals were administered famciclovir (Fam vir, SmithKline Beecham Pharmaceuticals, Philadelphia Pennsylvania 19101. U SA), a potent human anti-herpes-virus drug, in the course of their disease, and recovery followed a treatment regime of 3-4 wk. These are the first kn own cases of elephants surviving EIBD.