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Young ET, Phalen D, Greenville AC, Donkers K, Carver S. A retrospective epidemiological study of sarcoptic mange in koalas ( Phascolarctos cinereus) using wildlife carer admission records. Int J Parasitol Parasites Wildl 2024; 24:100955. [PMID: 39006892 PMCID: PMC11239712 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijppaw.2024.100955] [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: 04/03/2024] [Revised: 06/11/2024] [Accepted: 06/13/2024] [Indexed: 07/16/2024]
Abstract
Outbreaks of sarcoptic mange are sporadically reported in koala populations across Australia, but disease characteristics (e.g., distribution across the body) remain poorly understood. In an area of Northern Victoria regular cases coming into care suggest mange may have become enzootic, and here we characterise those koala mange admission records. In 18% (n = 10) of mange affected koala reports that had a recorded outcome (n = 55), the animals died before the carers could locate them, and of the remaining 45 koalas that were alive upon carer arrival, 80% (n = 36) had to be euthanised due to severe mange. The number of admissions varied among years (highest observed in 2019), and over 60% of affected koala admissions were male. Male admissions peaked in austral spring and again in late austral summer-autumn (mating and birthing seasons), with female admissions only exhibiting the latter peak (birthing season). Fissures of the epidermis of the front paws occurred in 100% of admitted koalas, with 70% also showing these signs elsewhere on ventral surfaces or limbs. Only male koalas had signs of mange on the chest and face, and only female koalas had signs of mange on their back. Collectively, this study suggests sarcoptic mange can be a severe disease in koalas, and that male koalas may play an important role in seasonal transmission dynamics. We discuss how these findings may help inform intervention strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ellyssia T Young
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, 2050, Australia
| | - David Phalen
- Sydney School of Veterinary Science, Faculty of Science, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, 2050, Australia
| | - Aaron C Greenville
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, 2050, Australia
| | - Kylie Donkers
- Dutch Thunder Wildlife Shelter, Victoria, 3644, Australia
| | - Scott Carver
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Tasmania, 7005, Australia
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2
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Millán J, Cevidanes A, Di Cataldo S, Hernández C, Peñaloza-Madrid D, Sallabery-Pincheira N, Terio K, Casais R. Epizootiology and Pathology of Sarcoptic Mange in Two Species of Fox (Lycalopex spp.) in Human-Dominated Landscapes of Central Chile. J Wildl Dis 2024; 60:421-433. [PMID: 38294760 DOI: 10.7589/jwd-d-23-00095] [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: 06/01/2023] [Accepted: 11/23/2023] [Indexed: 02/01/2024]
Abstract
Sarcoptic mange caused by Sarcoptes scabiei can have catastrophic consequences for wildlife. We inspected 122 Andean foxes (Lycalopex culpaeus), collected by active (n=66) or passive (n=56) surveillance, and 28 South American gray foxes (Lycalopex griseus; all from passive surveillance) for mange in Chile (2015-19). In Andean foxes, gross lesions of mange were diagnosed in 24% of passively and 9% of actively collected foxes, although observed prevalences might be underestimated. Seroprevalence was 37 and 18%, respectively, indicating that some individuals recovered from infection or were developing the disease. No differences were found between age and sex groups. Comparing data from passive surveillance, occurrence of gross lesions was lower in gray foxes (5%). Body condition was significantly better in Andean foxes without lesions than in diseased foxes, which had significantly lower albumin concentrations than healthy individuals. Among the 12 foxes with gross lesions, four, six and two individuals were categorized as having type I, type II, and type III lesions, respectively, based on clinical severity. Histologic severity correlated with gross lesions and included irregular epidermal hyperplasia with hyperkeratosis, which was marked in type II and III infections. Conventional PCR targeting of the cox1 gene fragment revealed four nucleotide sequence types, showing 99-100% identity among them and between 99% and 100% identity with previously published sequences of S. scabiei. A significant association between the occurrence of mange in foxes and distance to the nearest house was found. We speculate that diseased foxes tended to approach human settlements, perhaps in search of food. Visual inspection of 211 rural dogs from the study area did not reveal gross mange lesions in any animal. Sarcoptic mange is enzootic in the Andean fox in the study area and should be considered in the management of the species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Javier Millán
- Instituto Agroalimentario de Aragón, Universidad de Zaragoza-CITA, Miguel Servet 177, 50013 Zaragoza, Spain
- Fundación ARAID, Avda. de Ranillas, 50018 Zaragoza, Spain
- Facultad de Ciencias de la Vida, Universidad Andres Bello, República 252, Santiago, Chile
| | - Aitor Cevidanes
- Department of Animal Health, NEIKER, Basque Institute for Agricultural Research and Development, Basque Research and Technology Alliance, Parque Científico y Tecnológico de Bizkaia, P812, 48160 Derio, Spain
| | - Sophia Di Cataldo
- Instituto de Medicina y Biología Experimental de Cuyo, Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Tecnológicas, 5500 Mendoza, Argentina
| | - Claudia Hernández
- Escuela de Medicina Veterinaria, Facultad de Ciencias de la Vida, Universidad Andres Bello, República 252, Santiago, Chile
| | - Diego Peñaloza-Madrid
- Parque Safari Chile, Ruta H-30, Km 5, Camino A Doñihue S/N, Rancagua, O'Higgins 2820000, Chile
| | - Nicole Sallabery-Pincheira
- Unidad de Rehabilitación de Fauna Silvestre, Escuela de Medicina Veterinaria, Facultad de Ciencias de la Vida, Universidad Andres Bello, República 252, Santiago 8320000, Chile
| | - Karen Terio
- Zoological Pathology Program, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Illinois, Brookfield, Illinois 60513, USA
| | - Rosa Casais
- Center for Animal Biotechnology, Servicio Regional de Investigación y Desarrollo Agroalimentario, 33394 Deva, Asturias, Spain
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Gomez-Puerta LA, Jara-Vila J, Anampa M, Garayar JM, Rojas-Anticona W, Castillo H. Molecular characterization of Sarcoptes scabiei causing severe mange in two Andean foxes (Lycalopex culpaeus) from Peru. Parasitol Res 2024; 123:97. [PMID: 38224359 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-024-08122-3] [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: 11/10/2023] [Accepted: 01/03/2024] [Indexed: 01/16/2024]
Abstract
Cases of sarcoptic mange in the wildlife population have been increasing around the world in recent years. In this study, we report the first case of severe sarcoptic mange in two Andean foxes (Lycalopex culpaeus) and molecularly analyze the collected mites. The National Forestry and Wildlife Service of Lima, Peru, found an adult male Andean fox in the province of Callao in August 2022. The veterinarians decided to euthanize the fox due to the severity of the mange. In August 2023, an adult male Andean fox was found dead in the province of Huaral by veterinarians. Both foxes were sent to the veterinary school in Lima for necropsy. Skin samples from different body zones were digested in buffer lysis, and mites were detected in the tissue samples. A morphological diagnosis identified the mites as Sarcoptes scabiei. The mites from both foxes had the same nuclear (ITS2) and mitochondrial (cox1) genetic marker sequences as the S. scabiei sequences from dogs, vicunas, Andean foxes, and water buffalos recorded in GenBank. Unlike ITS2, phylogenetic analysis of S. scabiei cox1 showed host-related nucleotide sequence polymorphisms. Future molecular studies of S. scabiei from different hosts and localities will be necessary to better understand the transmission of this disease in Andean foxes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luis A Gomez-Puerta
- Department of Veterinary Epidemiology and Economics, Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos, School of Veterinary Medicine, Av. Circunvalacion 2800. San Borja, Lima, 15021, Peru.
| | - Javier Jara-Vila
- Servicio Nacional Forestal y de Fauna Silvestre (SERFOR), Administración Técnica Forestal y de Fauna Silvestre (ATFFS), Av. Javier Prado Oeste 2442, Lima, 15076, Peru
| | - Miguel Anampa
- Servicio Nacional de Áreas Naturales Protegidas, Reserva Nacional Pampa Galeras Bárbara D'Achille, Calle Los Petirrojos 355 - Urb. El Palomar, Lima, 15036, Peru
| | - Julia M Garayar
- Department of Veterinary Epidemiology and Economics, Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos, School of Veterinary Medicine, Av. Circunvalacion 2800. San Borja, Lima, 15021, Peru
| | - Wendy Rojas-Anticona
- Servicio Nacional Forestal y de Fauna Silvestre (SERFOR), Administración Técnica Forestal y de Fauna Silvestre (ATFFS), Av. Javier Prado Oeste 2442, Lima, 15076, Peru
| | - Hugo Castillo
- Department of Veterinary Epidemiology and Economics, Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos, School of Veterinary Medicine, Av. Circunvalacion 2800. San Borja, Lima, 15021, Peru
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Acebes P, Vargas S, Castillo H. Sarcoptic mange outbreaks in vicuñas (Cetartiodactyla: Camelidae): A scoping review and future prospects. Transbound Emerg Dis 2022; 69:e1201-e1212. [PMID: 35157357 PMCID: PMC9790737 DOI: 10.1111/tbed.14479] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2021] [Revised: 02/02/2022] [Accepted: 02/05/2022] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Sarcoptic mange is considered an emerging disease-causing countless epizootics and significantly affecting wild mammals worldwide. The vicuña (Vicugna vicugna) is a medium-sized South American wild camelid inhabiting Andean ecosystems, where several populations are live-sheared by Andean peasant communities as a way of providing an economic income to the people while promoting vicuña conservation. Institutions and scientists have shown concern for the impact and extent of sarcoptic mange in several vicuña populations across their range, as well as the lack of consistent knowledge about this disease in the species. Here, we perform a review about sarcoptic mange distribution throughout the vicuña's native range, evidence of effects of age and sex, the modes of transmission and the veterinary treatments employed. The review retrieved a few scientific papers, but found several reports and academic studies mostly considered as 'grey literature'. Mange was recorded across the entire native vicuña range (Argentina, Bolivia, Chile and Peru). Mange prevalence varied across vicuña studies (up to 60% prevalence in some populations) and severely affected a number of populations, being an important source of mortality. Mange was reported as more frequent in adults than in offspring. The modes of mange transmission remain unclear, although direct transmission between infected and healthy animals seems to be the most likely, including the transmission between domestic camelids and vicuñas. Regarding the treatments employed, ivermectin was the most frequently used. We further identified several gaps in knowledge and point to future research lines, which seek to promote both species conservation and the maintenance of live-shearing vicuñas under sustainable approaches in low-income Andean peasant communities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pablo Acebes
- Terrestrial Ecology Research Group (TEG‐UAM)Departamento de EcologíaUniversidad Autónoma de MadridMadridEspaña,Centro de Investigación en Biodiversidad y Cambio Global. Universidad Autónoma de MadridMadridEspaña,IUCN SSC South American Camelid Specialist Group
| | - Solange Vargas
- IUCN SSC South American Camelid Specialist Group,Departamento de BiologíaUniversidad de La SerenaLa SerenaChile,Universidad Católica del NorteCoquimboChile
| | - Hugo Castillo
- IUCN SSC South American Camelid Specialist Group,Facultad de Medicina VeterinariaUniversidad Nacional Mayor de San MarcosLimaPerú,CONOPAInstituto de Investigación y Desarrollo de Camélidos SudamericanosLimaPerú
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Gomez-Puerta LA, Pacheco JI, Angulo-Tisoc JM, García W, Castillo H, Lopez-Urbina MT, Gonzalez AE. Prevalence and molecular characterization of Sarcoptes scabiei from vicuñas ( Vicugna vicugna) from Southern Peruvian Andes. Parasitology 2021:1-6. [PMID: 35260216 DOI: 10.1017/s0031182021001931] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Sarcoptic mange is a disease caused by an infectious parasite in the vicuñas (Vicugna vicugna) from South America. Although molecular studies have provided much information about the epidemiology of this disease, this information is still unknown in vicuñas. This study determined the prevalence and molecular characterization of Sarcoptes scabiei from vicuñas from Southern Peruvian Andes. During the 2018 shearing season, 181 vicuñas were clinically evaluated for lesions compatible with mange. Sarcoptes scabiei was detected in 35 (19.3%) vicuñas, and 50 mites from 25 vicuñas were selected for molecular analyses of the mitochondrial (cox1) and nuclear (ITS2) genetic markers. Molecular analyses of the cox1 and ITS2 sequences showed an identity of 94–99% and 99.8–100% with previous S. scabiei sequences registered in the GenBank, respectively. Sequence polymorphisms were more evident in the ITS2 than in the cox1, but only the cox1 had an association with the host. Phylogenetic analysis of S. scabiei cox1 sequences from vicuñas showed a cluster with S. scabiei cox1 sequences from canids, suggesting that the origin of S. scabiei from vicuña is associated with canid mites. This research is the first molecular analysis of S. scabiei from vicuñas. Future molecular studies will be necessary to determine the species variety, geographic segregation and host–parasite adaptation for this vicuña's mite.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luis A Gomez-Puerta
- Department of Veterinary Epidemiology and Economics, School of Veterinary Medicine, Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos, Av. Circunvalacion 2800, Lima41, Peru
| | - Joel I Pacheco
- Instituto Veterinario de Investigaciones Tropicales y de Altura, Sede Marangani, Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos, Jr. Lima s/n, Cusco, Peru
| | - José M Angulo-Tisoc
- Instituto Veterinario de Investigaciones Tropicales y de Altura, Sede Marangani, Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos, Jr. Lima s/n, Cusco, Peru
| | - Wilber García
- Instituto Veterinario de Investigaciones Tropicales y de Altura, Sede Marangani, Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos, Jr. Lima s/n, Cusco, Peru
| | - Hugo Castillo
- Department of Veterinary Epidemiology and Economics, School of Veterinary Medicine, Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos, Av. Circunvalacion 2800, Lima41, Peru
| | - Maria T Lopez-Urbina
- Department of Veterinary Epidemiology and Economics, School of Veterinary Medicine, Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos, Av. Circunvalacion 2800, Lima41, Peru
| | - Armando E Gonzalez
- Department of Veterinary Epidemiology and Economics, School of Veterinary Medicine, Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos, Av. Circunvalacion 2800, Lima41, Peru
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Gálvez N, Meniconi P, Infante J, Bonacic C. Response of mesocarnivores to anthropogenic landscape intensification: activity patterns and guild temporal interactions. J Mammal 2021. [DOI: 10.1093/jmammal/gyab074] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Carnivores face important anthropogenic threats in agricultural areas from habitat loss and fragmentation, disturbance by domestic free-roaming dogs and cats, and direct hunting by humans. Anthropogenic disturbances are shifting the activity patterns of wild animals, likely modifying species interactions. We estimated changes in the activity patterns of the mesocarnivore guild of agricultural landscapes of the La Araucanía region in southern Chile in response to land-use intensification, comparing intra- and interspecific activity patterns at low and high levels of forest cover, fragmentation, and land ownership subdivision. Our focal species comprise the güiña or kod-kod (Leopardus guigna), two fox species (Lycalopex culpaeus and L. griseus), a skunk (Conepatus chinga), and one native mustelid (Galictis cuja), in addition to free-roaming dogs (Canis lupus familiaris) and cats (Felis catus) and their main mammalian prey species (i.e., Rodentia and Lagomorpha). In 23,373 trap nights, we totaled 21,729 independent records of our focal species. Our results show tendencies toward nocturnality at high land-use intensification, with potential impacts on species fitness. Nocturnal mesocarnivores decreased their diurnal/crepuscular activity, while cathemeral activity shifted to nocturnal activity at high land-use intensification, but only when in sympatry with a competitor. High land-use intensification decreased the activity overlap between native and domestic mesocarnivores but increased the overlap between native mesocarnivores. High intensification also reduced overlap with prey species. Notably, foxes displayed peaks of activity opposing those of dogs, and plasticity in activity pattern when in sympatry with dogs, such as strategies to avoid encounters. We stress the need to suppress the free-roaming and unsupervised activity of dogs to mitigate impacts of high land-use intensification on mesocarnivores.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicolás Gálvez
- Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Wildlife ecology and Coexistence Laboratory, Villarrica campus, Centre for Research in Local Development (CEDEL-UC), O’Higgins 501, Villarrica, Chile
| | - Paola Meniconi
- Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Fauna Australis Wildlife Laboratory, Department of Ecosystems and Environment, School of Agronomy and Forestry, Avenida Vicuña Mackenna 4860, 7820436 Santiago, Chile
| | - José Infante
- Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Wildlife ecology and Coexistence Laboratory, Villarrica campus, Centre for Research in Local Development (CEDEL-UC), O’Higgins 501, Villarrica, Chile
- Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Fauna Australis Wildlife Laboratory, Department of Ecosystems and Environment, School of Agronomy and Forestry, Avenida Vicuña Mackenna 4860, 7820436 Santiago, Chile
| | - Cristian Bonacic
- Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Fauna Australis Wildlife Laboratory, Department of Ecosystems and Environment, School of Agronomy and Forestry, Avenida Vicuña Mackenna 4860, 7820436 Santiago, Chile
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Escobar LE, Carver S, Cross PC, Rossi L, Almberg ES, Yabsley MJ, Niedringhaus KD, Van Wick P, Dominguez-Villegas E, Gakuya F, Xie Y, Angelone S, Gortázar C, Astorga F. Sarcoptic mange: An emerging panzootic in wildlife. Transbound Emerg Dis 2021; 69:927-942. [PMID: 33756055 DOI: 10.1111/tbed.14082] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Revised: 03/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Sarcoptic mange, a skin infestation caused by the mite Sarcoptes scabiei, is an emerging disease for some species of wildlife, potentially jeopardizing their welfare and conservation. Sarcoptes scabiei has a near-global distribution facilitated by its forms of transmission and use of a large diversity of host species (many of those with broad geographic distribution). In this review, we synthesize the current knowledge concerning the geographic and host taxonomic distribution of mange in wildlife, the epidemiological connections between species, and the potential threat of sarcoptic mange for wildlife conservation. Recent sarcoptic mange outbreaks in wildlife appear to demonstrate ongoing geographic spread, increase in the number of hosts and increased virulence. Sarcoptic mange has been reported in at least 12 orders, 39 families and 148 species of domestic and wild mammals, making it one of the most generalist ectoparasites of mammals. Taxonomically, the orders with most species found infested so far include Perissodactyla (67% species from the entire order), Artiodactyla (47%), and Diprotodontia (67% from this order). This suggests that new species from these mammal orders are likely to suffer cross-species transmission and be reported positive to sarcoptic mange as surveillance improves. We propose a new agenda for the study of sarcoptic mange in wildlife, including the study of the global phylogeography of S. scabiei, linkages between ecological host traits and sarcoptic mange susceptibility, immunology of individuals and species, development of control strategies in wildlife outbreaks and the effects of global environmental change in the sarcoptic mange system. The ongoing transmission globally and sustained spread among areas and wildlife species make sarcoptic mange an emerging panzootic in wildlife. A better understanding of sarcoptic mange could illuminate the aspects of ecological and evolutionary drivers in cross-species transmission for many emerging diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luis E Escobar
- Department of Fish and Wildlife Conservation, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, USA
| | - Scott Carver
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Australia
| | - Paul C Cross
- U.S. Geological Survey, Northern Rocky Mountain Science Center, Bozeman, MT, USA
| | - Luca Rossi
- Dipartimento di Scienze Veterinarie, Università degli Studi di Torino, Torino, Italy
| | | | - Michael J Yabsley
- Southeastern Cooperative Wildlife Disease Study, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA.,Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA
| | - Kevin D Niedringhaus
- Southeastern Cooperative Wildlife Disease Study, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA
| | | | | | | | - Yue Xie
- Department of Parasitology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China
| | | | | | - Francisca Astorga
- Núcleo de Investigaciones Aplicadas en Ciencias Veterinarias y Agronómicas, Universidad de las Américas, Santiago, Chile
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