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Herzog I, Siebert U, Lehnert K. High prevalence and low intensity of Echinophthirius horridus infection in seals revealed by high effort sampling. Sci Rep 2024; 14:14258. [PMID: 38902289 PMCID: PMC11190234 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-64890-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2024] [Accepted: 06/13/2024] [Indexed: 06/22/2024] Open
Abstract
Seal lice (Echinophthirius horridus) are bloodsucking ectoparasites of phocid seals and vectors of pathogens like the heartworm, Acanthocheilonema spirocauda. Grey and harbour seal populations are recovering in German waters and wildlife health surveillance is crucial for wildlife conservation. A new, high effort sampling protocol for seal lice was applied for grey and harbour seals along the German North- and Baltic Sea coast. Freshly dead seals were systematically sampled within a health monitoring of stranded seals over 12 months. Prevalence, intensity and distribution patterns of seal lice were analysed. 58% of harbour seals (n = 71) and 70% of grey seals (n = 10) were infected with seal lice. A majority of harbour seals displayed mild levels of infection, while three were moderately and two were severely infected. The head was the preferred predilection site, indicating that E. horridus prefers body areas with frequent access to atmospheric oxygen. Nits and different developmental stages were recorded in all age classes in grey and harbour seals in all seasons. For the first time, copulating specimens of E. horridus were recorded on a dead harbour seal, highlighting that E. horridus reproduces throughout the year on seals of all age classes in German waters.
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Affiliation(s)
- Insa Herzog
- Institute for Terrestrial and Aquatic Wildlife Research, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Büsum, Germany
| | - Ursula Siebert
- Institute for Terrestrial and Aquatic Wildlife Research, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Büsum, Germany
| | - Kristina Lehnert
- Institute for Terrestrial and Aquatic Wildlife Research, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Büsum, Germany.
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2
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de Oliveira Battisti L, Mongruel ACB, Fagundes-Moreira R, Baggio-Souza V, de Souza VK, de Amorim DB, Wagner PGC, Souza UA, Gonçalves AP, Girotto-Soares A, de Faria Valle S, André MR, Soares JF. Post-mortem detection of hemoplasmas (hemotropic Mycoplasma spp.) in South American fur seal (Arctocephalus australis) sampled in Rio Grande do Sul State, southern Brazil. Comp Immunol Microbiol Infect Dis 2024; 109:102187. [PMID: 38703540 DOI: 10.1016/j.cimid.2024.102187] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2023] [Revised: 04/16/2024] [Accepted: 04/25/2024] [Indexed: 05/06/2024]
Abstract
Hemotropic mycoplasmas are bacteria that attaches to erythrocytes surface, which some species presents zoonotic concerns. In the suborder Pinnipedia, genera Otaria and Arctocephalus are prominent in Brazil. This study investigated the occurrence of hemoplasmas in Arctocephalus sp. and Otaria flavescens found dead along the coast of a Southern Brazilian State. DNA from 135 spleen samples were extracted and subjected to conventional PCR protocols, targeting the 16 S rRNA and 23 S rRNA gene. Three (2.22 %) Arctocephalus australis were positive in the 16 S rRNA gene, and no samples amplified in the 23 S rRNA gene. Samples from this study clustered with Zalophus californianus and Arctocephalus tropicalis mycoplasmas on a Bayesian phylogenetic analysis. Genetic diversity analysis suggested distinct genotypes, indicating A. australis as a new host for hemoplasma, and also a potential putative novel hemoplasma genotype. These findings raises future awareness for pinnipeds conservation, and adds Mycoplasma spp. to be taken into consideration when clinically evaluating rescued animals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luciano de Oliveira Battisti
- Laboratório de Protozoologia e Rickettsioses Vetoriais, Faculdade de Veterinária, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | | | - Renata Fagundes-Moreira
- Laboratório de Protozoologia e Rickettsioses Vetoriais, Faculdade de Veterinária, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Vinícius Baggio-Souza
- Laboratório de Protozoologia e Rickettsioses Vetoriais, Faculdade de Veterinária, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Viviane Kelin de Souza
- Laboratório de Protozoologia e Rickettsioses Vetoriais, Faculdade de Veterinária, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Derek Blaese de Amorim
- Center for Coastal Studies, Limnology and Marine, Institute of Biosciences, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Av. Tramandaí, 976, CEP 95625-000, Imbé, RS, Brazil
| | - Paulo Guilherme C Wagner
- Laboratório de Protozoologia e Rickettsioses Vetoriais, Faculdade de Veterinária, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil; Centro de Triagem de Animais Silvestres, Instituto Brasileiro do Meio Ambiente e dos Recursos Naturais Renováveis, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Ugo A Souza
- Laboratório de Protozoologia e Rickettsioses Vetoriais, Faculdade de Veterinária, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Ana Paula Gonçalves
- Laboratório de Protozoologia e Rickettsioses Vetoriais, Faculdade de Veterinária, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Aline Girotto-Soares
- Laboratório de Protozoologia e Rickettsioses Vetoriais, Faculdade de Veterinária, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Stella de Faria Valle
- Laboratório de Análises Clínicas Veterinárias, Faculdade de Veterinária, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Marcos Rogério André
- Universidade Estadual Paulista (Unesp), Faculdade de Ciências Agrárias e Veterinárias, Jaboticabal, SP, Brazil
| | - João Fabio Soares
- Laboratório de Protozoologia e Rickettsioses Vetoriais, Faculdade de Veterinária, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil.
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Rivera-Luna H, Kniha E, Muñoz P, Painean J, Balfanz F, Hering-Hagenbeck S, Prosl H, Walochnik J, Taubert A, Hermosilla C, Ebmer D. Non-invasive detection of Orthohalarachne attenuata (Banks, 1910) and Orthohalarachne diminuata (Doetschman, 1944) (Acari: Halarachnidae) in free-ranging synanthropic South American sea lions Otaria flavescens (Shaw, 1800). Int J Parasitol Parasites Wildl 2023; 21:192-200. [PMID: 37575668 PMCID: PMC10422118 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijppaw.2023.06.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2023] [Revised: 06/02/2023] [Accepted: 06/02/2023] [Indexed: 08/15/2023]
Abstract
Respiratory mites of the genera Orthohalarachne and Halarachne (Acari: Halarachnidae) are causative agents of nasopharyngeal/nasopulmonary acariasis in pinnipeds and sea otters. Until now, these endoparasitic mites were mainly diagnosed via necropsies and invasive procedures. So far, non-invasive diagnostic techniques have neither been developed nor applied in free-ranging pinnipeds. In the current study, we aimed to evaluate the halarachnid mite infestation status of free-ranging "urban" South American sea lions Otaria flavescens in the city of Valdivia, Chile. Therefore, non-invasive sampling methods were used in the current study, e. g. by observation-based sampling of freshly expectorated nasal mucus in the animal environment. Further, collection devices were developed for target-oriented sampling of sneezed nasal mucus, including sterile petri dishes and stretched clingfilms mounted on telescopic rods. Applying these techniques, 26 individual sputum samples were collected. 11.5% of sputum samples proved positive for halarachnid larvae (in total, n = 7), which were morphologically identified as Orthohalarachne attenuata (n = 2) or Orthohalarachne diminuata (n = 5). In one of the individual sea lion mucus samples, both Orthohalarachne species were detected, thereby confirming a patent co-infestation in vivo. 16S rDNA-based molecular identification of individual Orthohalarachne spp. larvae confirmed morphological findings. For the first time, we here molecularly characterized Orthohalarachne spp. on the basis of three gene regions [18S, 28S and the internal transcribed spacer 1 (ITS1)]. Overall, current data include the successful application of non-invasive techniques to sample halarachnid mites from free-ranging synanthropic pinnipeds and contribute to the current knowledge on respiratory mites infesting South American sea lions by combining morphological and molecular methods to overcome challenges in species identification. This study should further serve as baseline study and calls for more research on occurrence, biology and health implications of orthohalarachnosis in free-living as well as captive pinnipeds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Helena Rivera-Luna
- Institute of Parasitology, Biomedical Research Center Seltersberg, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Schubertstr. 81, 35392, Giessen, Germany
| | - Edwin Kniha
- Institute of Specific Prophylaxis and Tropical Medicine, Center for Pathophysiology, Infectiology and Immunology, Medical University of Vienna, Kinderspitalg. 15, 1090, Vienna, Austria
| | - Pamela Muñoz
- Instituto de Patología Animal, Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, Universidad Austral de Chile, Valdivia, Chile
| | - Javier Painean
- Instituto de Patología Animal, Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, Universidad Austral de Chile, Valdivia, Chile
| | | | | | - Heinrich Prosl
- Veterinary Clinic Vienna Zoo, Seckendorff-Gudent-Weg 6, 1130, Vienna, Austria
| | - Julia Walochnik
- Institute of Specific Prophylaxis and Tropical Medicine, Center for Pathophysiology, Infectiology and Immunology, Medical University of Vienna, Kinderspitalg. 15, 1090, Vienna, Austria
| | - Anja Taubert
- Institute of Parasitology, Biomedical Research Center Seltersberg, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Schubertstr. 81, 35392, Giessen, Germany
| | - Carlos Hermosilla
- Institute of Parasitology, Biomedical Research Center Seltersberg, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Schubertstr. 81, 35392, Giessen, Germany
| | - David Ebmer
- Institute of Parasitology, Biomedical Research Center Seltersberg, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Schubertstr. 81, 35392, Giessen, Germany
- Veterinary Clinic Vienna Zoo, Seckendorff-Gudent-Weg 6, 1130, Vienna, Austria
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Ebmer D, Kniha E, Strauss V, Kübber-Heiss A, Komornik L, Balfanz F, Hering-Hagenbeck S, Walochnik J, Gärtner U, Prosl H, Taubert A, Voracek T, Hermosilla C. First report of a severe nasopulmonary acariasis caused by Orthohalarachne diminuata Doetschmann, 1944 (Acari: Halarachnidae) in a captive South American sea lion (Otaria flavescens Shaw, 1800). INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL FOR PARASITOLOGY: PARASITES AND WILDLIFE 2022; 19:248-256. [PMID: 36388725 PMCID: PMC9664340 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijppaw.2022.10.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2022] [Revised: 10/28/2022] [Accepted: 10/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Obligatory endoparasitic mites of the genera Halarachne Allman, 1847 and Orthohalarachne Newell, 1947 (Acari: Halarachnidae) parasitize different segments of the respiratory tract of marine mammals, including pinnipeds and sea otters, and infestations can cause asymptomatic to serious respiratory diseases. However, knowledge on biology, pathogenic potential and occurrence of halarachnid mites infesting pinnipeds, especially in captivity, is scarce. A two-year-old South American sea lion (Otaria flavescens Shaw, 1800) male, born and held at the Vienna Zoo, was anesthesized for routine pre-transport examinations, including computed tomography, bronchoalveolar lavage, and blood sampling. During the final phase of general anesthesia, the individual abruptly became apneic and died despite all attempts at resuscitation. At necropsy, 45 highly motile whitish millimeter-sized structures were macroscopically detected in the trachea, bifurcatio tracheae and main bronchi and were identified as adult stages of Orthohalarachne diminuata Doetschman, 1944 following morphological descriptions. After trepanation of the nasal cavity and sinus paranasalis, a total of 407 larval and 3 nymphal specimens distributed in clusters were detected. Macroscopically, sinus mucosa showed hyperemia and multiple petechial hemorrhages. Histopathological analyses of paranasal sinuses revealed mite cross-sections surrounded by sanioserous exudate and epithelial exfoliation. For the first time, O. diminuata was molecularly characterized and phylogenetically analyzed based on its 16S rDNA. Our study constitutes the first record of a severe O. diminuata infestation in captive O. flavescens and one of the few host-parasite records in general. We present clinical data and pathological results, the first scanning electron microscopic images of a O. diminuata larval stage and discuss the etiology of this autochthonous infestation, possible transmission pathways and detrimental effects. Further studies on biology and pathogenic effects of halarachnid mites, as well as on the development of non-invasive sampling techniques are essentially required for a better understanding of (ortho-)halarachnosis in pinnipeds held in zoological gardens. First record of Orthohalarachne diminuata in a captive South American sea lion. One of the few host-parasite records. Autochthonous infestation, since infested animal was born in captivity. First scanning electron microscopic images of a O. diminuata larva. First molecular characterization and phylogenetic analysis of O. diminuata.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Ebmer
- Veterinary Clinic Vienna Zoo, Seckendorff-Gudent-Weg 6, 1130, Vienna, Austria
- Institute of Parasitology, Biomedical Research Center Seltersberg, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Schubertstr. 81, 35392, Giessen, Germany
- Corresponding author. Veterinary Clinic Vienna Zoo, Seckendorff-Gudent-Weg 6, 1130, Vienna, Austria.
| | - Edwin Kniha
- Institute of Specific Prophylaxis and Tropical Medicine, Center for Pathophysiology, Infectiology and Immunology, Medical University of Vienna, Kinderspitalg. 15, 1090, Vienna, Austria
| | - Verena Strauss
- Research Institute of Wildlife Ecology, Department for Interdisciplinary Life Sciences, Vetmeduni Vienna, Savoyenstr. 1, 1160, Vienna, Austria
| | - Anna Kübber-Heiss
- Research Institute of Wildlife Ecology, Department for Interdisciplinary Life Sciences, Vetmeduni Vienna, Savoyenstr. 1, 1160, Vienna, Austria
| | - Lukas Komornik
- Veterinary Clinic Vienna Zoo, Seckendorff-Gudent-Weg 6, 1130, Vienna, Austria
| | | | | | - Julia Walochnik
- Institute of Specific Prophylaxis and Tropical Medicine, Center for Pathophysiology, Infectiology and Immunology, Medical University of Vienna, Kinderspitalg. 15, 1090, Vienna, Austria
| | - Ulrich Gärtner
- Institute of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Aulweg 123, 35385, Giessen, Germany
| | - Heinrich Prosl
- Veterinary Clinic Vienna Zoo, Seckendorff-Gudent-Weg 6, 1130, Vienna, Austria
| | - Anja Taubert
- Institute of Parasitology, Biomedical Research Center Seltersberg, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Schubertstr. 81, 35392, Giessen, Germany
| | - Thomas Voracek
- Veterinary Clinic Vienna Zoo, Seckendorff-Gudent-Weg 6, 1130, Vienna, Austria
| | - Carlos Hermosilla
- Institute of Parasitology, Biomedical Research Center Seltersberg, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Schubertstr. 81, 35392, Giessen, Germany
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Schilling AK, Mazzamuto MV, Romeo C. A Review of Non-Invasive Sampling in Wildlife Disease and Health Research: What's New? Animals (Basel) 2022; 12:1719. [PMID: 35804619 PMCID: PMC9265025 DOI: 10.3390/ani12131719] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2022] [Revised: 06/28/2022] [Accepted: 06/29/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
In the last decades, wildlife diseases and the health status of animal populations have gained increasing attention from the scientific community as part of a One Health framework. Furthermore, the need for non-invasive sampling methods with a minimal impact on wildlife has become paramount in complying with modern ethical standards and regulations, and to collect high-quality and unbiased data. We analysed the publication trends on non-invasive sampling in wildlife health and disease research and offer a comprehensive review on the different samples that can be collected non-invasively. We retrieved 272 articles spanning from 1998 to 2021, with a rapid increase in number from 2010. Thirty-nine percent of the papers were focussed on diseases, 58% on other health-related topics, and 3% on both. Stress and other physiological parameters were the most addressed research topics, followed by viruses, helminths, and bacterial infections. Terrestrial mammals accounted for 75% of all publications, and faeces were the most widely used sample. Our review of the sampling materials and collection methods highlights that, although the use of some types of samples for specific applications is now consolidated, others are perhaps still underutilised and new technologies may offer future opportunities for an even wider use of non-invasively collected samples.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna-Katarina Schilling
- Previously Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies and Roslin Institute, University of Edinburgh, Easter Bush, Midlothian EH25 9RG, UK;
| | - Maria Vittoria Mazzamuto
- Haub School of Environment and Natural Resources, University of Wyoming, 1000 E. University Ave., Laramie, WY 82072, USA;
- Department of Theoretical and Applied Sciences, University of Insubria, Via J.H. Dunant 3, 21100 Varese, Italy
| | - Claudia Romeo
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell’Emilia Romagna (IZSLER), Via Bianchi 9, 25124 Brescia, Italy
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Hunger games: foraging behaviour and shelter use in fish under the context-dependent influence of parasitism. Parasitol Res 2021; 120:3681-3692. [PMID: 34515862 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-021-07296-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2021] [Accepted: 08/17/2021] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
Diseases, and the parasitic organisms that cause them, can impact aspects of ecosystems ranging from altering food web connectivity to population dynamics. Apart from interspecific interactions, parasites can affect how their hosts behave with conspecifics, such as during competition for resources. Fish are important hosts to a variety of parasite taxa that can, through physical impairment or invasion of sense organs, affect how they interact with conspecifics for food, territory, or mates. In New Zealand, the common bully Gobiomorphus cotidianus plays host to a variety of parasites, encysting throughout the body (Apatemon sp.) or residing within the eyes (Tylodelphys darbyi). We hypothesized that fish with lower levels of infection would secure territories closer to a food patch and be more likely to tolerate sharing that territory. Our experiments show that parasites infecting different areas may have variable impacts on how far the host positions itself from a food patch and the likelihood that it shares its territory. Fish with higher intensities of T. darbyi tended to be closer to the food patch, but Apatemon sp. did not show a similar pattern. Higher infection levels of both parasites were statistically associated with bullies being less likely to share territory. Further, bigger fish were less likely to share their territory at higher intensities infection, and we observed individual variation in a fish's response between trials. Our findings support that parasites matter in ecological interactions but also emphasize the context dependence of their effects.
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