Journal of Wildlife Diseases最新文献

Dredging is commonly used to maintain navigational channels in freshwater lakes such as Lake Erie, and the dredged material may be discarded in confined disposal facilities (CDFs). The effects of these CDFs on wildlife health are largely unknown. We compared health assessments of painted turtles (Chrysemys picta) at two sites in southwestern Lake Erie, Ohio, USA in May 2022: CDF for dredged material (n=27), and a protected coastal marsh (PCM; n=24). Each turtle underwent a physical examination, blood collection for hematology and plasma biochemistry profiles, and testing for Chlamydia spp., herpesviruses, ranavirus (frog virus 3), and Mycoplasmopsis spp. via oral and cloacal swabs. Six turtles were positive for Chlamydia spp. (11.8%; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 4.4%-23.9%), two from the CDF and four from the PCM. One Chlamydia-positive turtle was co-infected with herpesvirus (2.0%; 95% CI: 0%-10.5%) with 96.3% homology with emydid herpesvirus. No ranavirus or Mycoplasmopsis species were detected (0%, 95% CI: 0%-6.7%). Turtles captured from the CDF had significantly higher heterophil percentages, heterophil/lymphocyte ratios, and glucose levels, but significantly lower total protein and calcium/phosphorus ratios than turtles from PCM. Turtles living in the CDF were hyperglycemic, potentially indicating increased stress levels compared to the normoglycemic turtles from PCM. As humans continue to alter wetland habitats, the impact of anthropogenic sites such as CDFs on freshwater chelonian health and welfare should be monitored.

Effects on physiology were evaluated in 49 free-ranging moose (Alces alces), 11 adult males, 36 females, two of unknown sex) in Minnesota, USA, immobilized by helicopter darting with thiafentanil (10 mg) and xylazine (30 mg) in February 2020 and March 2021. Pursuit time (PT), induction time (IT), recumbency time (RT), recovery time (RC), temperature (T), and body position were recorded. For 14 females, respiratory rate (RR), pulse rate (PR), and pulse oximetry (SpO2) were obtained before and at 1, 5, and 10 min after 4 L/min nasal oxygen supplementation was started; pH, lactate (Lac), arterial oxygen (PaO2), and carbon dioxide (PaCO2) tensions were obtained pre-treatment and 5 min post-treatment. Immobilizations were reversed with naltrexone (200 mg) and tolazoline (800 mg) intramuscularly. Median PT and IT were 4 min; a longer dart needle significantly reduced IT (P=0.0274). Most (98%) remained sternal; 77% held their head upright. Median RC was 3 min. Temperature remained ≤41.2 C. Median RR, PR, and SpO2 were RR=20 breaths/min, PR=70 beats/min, SpO2=91% pre-treatment and RR=30 breaths/min, PR=72 beats/min, SpO2=97% 5-min post-treatment. Median blood gas values were pH=7.45, Lac=5.62 mmol/L, PaCO2=44 mmHg, and PaO2=65 mmHg pre-treatment and pH=7.48, Lac=4.99 mmol/L, PaCO2=41.1 mmHg, and PaO2=78 mmHg 5 min post-treatment. Physiologic improvement from oxygen supplementation was clinically relevant but not statistically significant. All moose survived immobilization. Thiafentanil and xylazine combination provided safe and effective immobilization in free-ranging moose.

Through evaluation of serum and plasma buterylcholinesterase (BChE) and brain acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity, we investigated the possibility of the involvement of an acute organophosphate toxicosis in the pathogenesis of ongoing annual outbreaks of paresis and paralysis that in some cases progress to death, in endangered Western Australian Carnaby's cockatoos (Zanda latirostris). The condition, named Carnaby's hindlimb paralysis syndrome (CHiPS), was first described in 2012. Following initial investigations involving clinical, epidemiologic, toxicologic, gross necropsy, and histologic evaluation, a toxic etiology, specifically an organophosphate toxicosis, was considered most likely. The study aimed to validate the BChE assay for use in serum and plasma in Carnaby's cockatoos. This study found no evidence of changes in serum or plasma BChE or brain AChE that indicate an acute organophosphate toxicosis as the cause of CHiPS. Although these results render an acute organophosphate toxicosis unlikely, an organophosphate-induced delayed neuropathy has not been ruled out. Based on the results from the BChE validation study, the authors can recommend this assay for the evaluation of BChE measurement in plasma and serum from Carnaby's cockatoos with results showing excellent accuracy and precision.

Infectious diseases can have detrimental effects on wildlife populations, particularly those that persist at small sizes, have low genetic diversity, and are affected by fragmented habitat. One such example is the endangered Florida panther (Puma concolor coryi), which has been intensively managed since the early 1980s, with the current population ranging between 120 and 230 individuals. For more than three decades, panthers have been captured, demographics recorded, and blood samples collected to monitor for multiple infectious diseases; however, an updated comprehensive study of many of these pathogens has not occurred since 1991. Our goal was to identify temporal patterns and spatial clustering in seroprevalence; determine if the pathogens of interest tend to co-occur; and describe relationships between an individual's genetic assignment (admixed or canonical) and seropositivity. We analyzed serology data for eight pathogens representing different modes of transmission (direct, indirect, vector borne) and infection duration (acute, chronic) from 232 panthers collected between 1992 and 2017. Panthers held consistently high seropositivity for feline calicivirus (62.3%) and panleukopenia virus (79.7%) throughout the study, whereas feline herpesvirus and feline leukemia virus were at lower prevalence (3.1% and 2.4%, respectively), although neither had been noted prior to 1992. Panthers were frequently seropositive for canine distemper virus and feline immunodeficiency virus, and seroprevalence fluctuated through time. West Nile virus seropositivity increased over the study period following its introduction in North America in 1999. Panthers were consistently negative for feline coronavirus, which causes feline infectious peritonitis. Genetics and demographics (sex and age) had little influence on serostatus, and coexposure among pathogens did not tend to occur. Both feline immunodeficiency virus and feline leukemia virus appeared to have spatial clusters of seropositive individuals. Our findings enhance the understanding of pathogen exposure in panthers, informing and supporting ongoing surveillance efforts for timely detection and management of potential disease threats in vulnerable populations.

Transmissible spongiform encephalopathy, or prion disease, poses a serious threat to wildlife; however, the susceptibility of apex predators is still being assessed. We investigated variation in the prion protein gene in Florida panthers (Puma concolor coryi) and found that admixture from Central American pumas probably introduced a novel, albeit benign, prion allele.

Wildlife may be infected with a high diversity of piroplasms and may serve as hosts or reservoirs for piroplasms of importance for domestic animals and public health. In the US, some piroplasms (e.g., Babesia spp. and Theileira cervi) have been associated with disease in native and exotic ungulates. Blood from 447 ruminants in Nevada were PCR tested for piroplasms, with 115 individuals from five species or subspecies found positive: 28/46 California bighorn sheep (Ovis canadensis californiana), 1/16 desert bighorn sheep (Ovis canadensis nelson), 70/255 mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus), 14/53 elk (Cervis canadensis nelsoni), and 2/55 pronghorn (Antilocapra americana). Six mountain goats (Oreamnos americanus) and four moose (Alces alces) were negative. Four piroplasm species were detected-Babesia duncani, Babesia sp. RD63, Babesia odocoilei, and Theileria cervi-like spp.-but three B. duncani strains were detected, giving seven unique species or strains. Babesia duncani, the most common piroplasm detected (83%), occurred in California and desert bighorn sheep, elk, and mule deer. Bighorn sheep were only infected with B. duncani, whereas mule deer and elk were each infected with three piroplasm species or strains. The single Theileria sp. and B. odocoilei detections were in pronghorn. Free-ranging ruminants in Nevada are infected with a high diversity of piroplasms, several of which are zoonotic or reported to cause disease in both wild and domestic ruminants.

Emydomyces testavorans: is an onygenalean fungus associated with shell and skin lesions in chelonians and is increasingly linked to morbidity and mortality. Effective disinfection methods are a critical component of biosecurity protocols to prevent and manage emydomycosis; however, disinfectant efficacy against E. testavorans is unknown. This study determined the in vitro efficacy of 13 disinfectants across a range of concentrations and exposure times used in veterinary, wildlife, and environmental settings against E. testavorans. Pure E. testavorans culture material was exposed to each disinfectant at manufacturer-recommended concentration and exposure times in triplicate. Disinfectant was removed via centrifugation and cultures were inoculated onto inhibitory media plates, maintained at room temperature (20-22 C), and examined weekly for fungal growth. After 6 wk of incubation, ethanol, Virkon S (active ingredient potassium peroxymonosulfate 21.41%), benzalkonium chloride, and desiccation proved ineffective at completely inhibiting fungal growth. All other agents, including bleach, chlorhexidine, and accelerated hydrogen peroxides, effectively inhibited fungal growth. These data suggest that several effective disinfection options are available for use against E. testavorans. These findings can be used in managed care and field settings to reduce transmission of E. testavorans between turtles through contaminated surfaces and equipment.

To examine whether Ostertagia mossi and Ostertagia dikmansi from white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) are separate species, we obtained DNA sequences for the cytochrome C oxidase subunit I and internal transcribed spacer 2 gene targets for phylogenetic analyses. Neither target revealed separation between morphotypes, confirming they are the same species and providing new data on Ostertagia morphotypes.

Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is a globally distributed pathogen that causes acute hepatitis in people. Recent human cases of HEV arising after contact with urban rats (Rattus spp.) have raised concerns regarding whether rats may be a source of HEV infection. We investigated whether urban Norway rats (Rattus norvegicus) could be a source of HEV in an underserved urban neighborhood of Vancouver, Canada. We found that 15% of rats tested positive for rat HEV, and that HEV status was associated with increasing rat body length and family relationships. Rat HEV isolates were clustered according to their location on either the east or west side of a busy roadway bisecting this neighborhood, suggesting that this street is a barrier to HEV spread. Widespread distribution of HEV among rats in this neighborhood poses potential human health risks, emphasizing the need to reduce close contact of people with rats and their excreta.