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Lizana V, Martí-Marco A, Gortázar C, López-Ramon J, Cerezo Valverde J, Aguilo-Gisbert J, Cardells J. Epidemiological factors conditioning sarcoptic mange spreading in wild boar (Sus scrofa). Res Vet Sci 2024; 176:105351. [PMID: 38963994 DOI: 10.1016/j.rvsc.2024.105351] [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: 11/23/2023] [Revised: 05/07/2024] [Accepted: 06/30/2024] [Indexed: 07/06/2024]
Abstract
Sarcoptic mange is a widely distributed disease, with numerous potential hosts among domestic and wild animals. Nowadays it is considered a neglected re-emergent infection in humans. As a difference with domestic pigs, and even with several clinical cases reported in some European countries, it seems that Eurasian wild boars (Sus scrofa) have a low susceptibility to clinical mange. However, because of a case of confirmed transmission from Spanish ibex (Capra pyrenaica) to wild boar in the province of Tarragona, we planned a large-scale ELISA survey in the neighboring Valencian Community (SE Spain). We compared 419 wild boar sera from different management systems (fenced vs. open game estates), different ages (piglets, juveniles, and adults), with different behaviour (gregarious females of all ages and male piglets vs. solitary juveniles and adult males), from areas with different wild boar densities, different wild ruminant densities and different sarcoptic mange epidemiologic situations. The whole prevalence of antibodies against sarcoptic mange in the tested wild boars was 10.5%. No significant differences were found when comparing fenced and free ranging wild boars, males and females, gregarious vs. solitary individuals or among different ages. However, wild boar density was a relevant factor. In areas with a hunting bag of <1 wild boar/km2, considered as a low density of suids, the seroprevalence was 2.94%, but rose to 11.52% in high density districts, constituting a significant difference (p = 0.037). Low wild boar populations would act as a protective factor (OR 0.233; p = 0.049) against coming into contact with the mite. The wild ruminant densities or their sarcoptic mange status did not show any effect on wild boars seroprevalence against this disease. These results reinforce the suggested host-taxon Sarcoptes scabiei specificity and the independence of host-species foci.
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Affiliation(s)
- V Lizana
- Servicio de Análisis, Investigación y Gestión de Animales Silvestres (SAIGAS), Veterinary Faculty, Universidad CEU-Cardenal Herrera, Tirant lo Blanc St 7, 46115 Alfara del Patriarca, Valencia, Spain; Wildlife Ecology & Health Group (WE&H), Veterinary Faculty, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), Travessera dels Turons, 08193 Bellaterra, Barcelona, Spain.
| | - A Martí-Marco
- Servicio de Análisis, Investigación y Gestión de Animales Silvestres (SAIGAS), Veterinary Faculty, Universidad CEU-Cardenal Herrera, Tirant lo Blanc St 7, 46115 Alfara del Patriarca, Valencia, Spain
| | - C Gortázar
- SaBio Instituto de Investigación en Recursos Cinegéticos IREC (CSIC-UCLM-JCCM), PC13005 Ciudad Real, Spain
| | - J López-Ramon
- Servicio de Análisis, Investigación y Gestión de Animales Silvestres (SAIGAS), Veterinary Faculty, Universidad CEU-Cardenal Herrera, Tirant lo Blanc St 7, 46115 Alfara del Patriarca, Valencia, Spain
| | - J Cerezo Valverde
- Servicio de Análisis, Investigación y Gestión de Animales Silvestres (SAIGAS), Veterinary Faculty, Universidad CEU-Cardenal Herrera, Tirant lo Blanc St 7, 46115 Alfara del Patriarca, Valencia, Spain
| | - J Aguilo-Gisbert
- Servicio de Análisis, Investigación y Gestión de Animales Silvestres (SAIGAS), Veterinary Faculty, Universidad CEU-Cardenal Herrera, Tirant lo Blanc St 7, 46115 Alfara del Patriarca, Valencia, Spain
| | - J Cardells
- Servicio de Análisis, Investigación y Gestión de Animales Silvestres (SAIGAS), Veterinary Faculty, Universidad CEU-Cardenal Herrera, Tirant lo Blanc St 7, 46115 Alfara del Patriarca, Valencia, Spain; Wildlife Ecology & Health Group (WE&H), Veterinary Faculty, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), Travessera dels Turons, 08193 Bellaterra, Barcelona, Spain.
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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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Barroso P, Palencia P. Camera traps reveal a high prevalence of sarcoptic mange in red foxes from northern Spain. Res Vet Sci 2024; 166:105098. [PMID: 38029489 DOI: 10.1016/j.rvsc.2023.105098] [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: 10/18/2023] [Revised: 11/15/2023] [Accepted: 11/19/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023]
Abstract
The mite Sarcoptes scabiei affects numerous mammal species causing the sarcoptic mange, a widespread disease with relevance for wildlife conservation, welfare, and management. The red fox (Vulpes vulpes) could become infested by direct and indirect routes leading to external skin lesions potentially recognizable by devices such as camera traps (CTs). In the present study, 86 randomly placed CTs were used to investigate the apparent prevalence and severity of S. scabiei in a red fox population from northern Spain. Their potential environmental and population-related drivers were also assessed. A total of 341 independent encounters were examined to visually identify mange-compatible lesions. The apparent prevalence was 19.16% (confidence interval (CI) 95%: 15.08-23.80) of which 82.81% (CI95%: 71.33-91.10) were severe. Our results revealed that habitat attributes such as lower altitudes, higher coverage of water-linked habitats and woodland predominance, were significant predictors of the apparent risk of mange. The models also suggested that the apparent prevalence of mange was associated with poor body condition and elevated frequencies of spatial coincidence among fox encounters, which facilitates indirect transmission. Interestingly, we did not observe mange-compatible lesions in other sympatric wild species (>15,000 encounters examined). This could be explained by the mite's host specificity and the low probability that these other potential hosts use sites where transmission among foxes usually occurs, such as dens. This study illustrates how camera trapping can be used as an interesting tool for the surveillance of wildlife diseases, thus overcoming the logistic constraints derived from direct sampling and allowing the early detection and better management of pathogens in the riskiest areas.
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Affiliation(s)
- P Barroso
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Turin, Largo Paolo Braccini 2, Grugliasco, Turin 10095, Italy; Departament of Animal Health, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad de León, León 24071, Spain.
| | - P Palencia
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Turin, Largo Paolo Braccini 2, Grugliasco, Turin 10095, Italy; Biodiversity Research Institute (University of Oviedo - CSIC - Principado de Asturias), Mieres, Spain
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Ringwaldt EM, Brook BW, Buettel JC, Cunningham CX, Fuller C, Gardiner R, Hamer R, Jones M, Martin AM, Carver S. Host, environment, and anthropogenic factors drive landscape dynamics of an environmentally transmitted pathogen: Sarcoptic mange in the bare-nosed wombat. J Anim Ecol 2023; 92:1786-1801. [PMID: 37221666 DOI: 10.1111/1365-2656.13960] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2022] [Accepted: 05/09/2023] [Indexed: 05/25/2023]
Abstract
Understanding the spatial dynamics and drivers of wildlife pathogens is constrained by sampling logistics, with implications for advancing the field of landscape epidemiology and targeted allocation of management resources. However, visually apparent wildlife diseases, when combined with remote-surveillance and distribution modelling technologies, present an opportunity to overcome this landscape-scale problem. Here, we investigated dynamics and drivers of landscape-scale wildlife disease, using clinical signs of sarcoptic mange (caused by Sarcoptes scabiei) in its bare-nosed wombat (BNW; Vombatus ursinus) host. We used 53,089 camera-trap observations from over 3261 locations across the 68,401 km2 area of Tasmania, Australia, combined with landscape data and ensemble species distribution modelling (SDM). We investigated: (1) landscape variables predicted to drive habitat suitability of the host; (2) host and landscape variables associated with clinical signs of disease in the host; and (3) predicted locations and environmental conditions at greatest risk of disease occurrence, including some Bass Strait islands where BNW translocations are proposed. We showed that the Tasmanian landscape, and ecosystems therein, are nearly ubiquitously suited to BNWs. Only high mean annual precipitation reduced habitat suitability for the host. In contrast, clinical signs of sarcoptic mange disease in BNWs were widespread, but heterogeneously distributed across the landscape. Mange (which is environmentally transmitted in BNWs) was most likely to be observed in areas of increased host habitat suitability, lower annual precipitation, near sources of freshwater and where topographic roughness was minimal (e.g. human modified landscapes, such as farmland and intensive land-use areas, shrub and grass lands). Thus, a confluence of host, environmental and anthropogenic variables appear to influence the risk of environmental transmission of S. scabiei. We identified that the Bass Strait Islands are highly suitable for BNWs and predicted a mix of high and low suitability for the pathogen. This study is the largest spatial assessment of sarcoptic mange in any host species, and advances understanding of the landscape epidemiology of environmentally transmitted S. scabiei. This research illustrates how host-pathogen co-suitability can be useful for allocating management resources in the landscape.
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Affiliation(s)
- E M Ringwaldt
- School of Natural Sciences, Biological Science, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia
| | - B W Brook
- School of Natural Sciences, Biological Science, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia
| | - J C Buettel
- School of Natural Sciences, Biological Science, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia
| | - C X Cunningham
- School of Natural Sciences, Biological Science, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia
- School of Environmental and Forest Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - C Fuller
- School of Natural Sciences, Biological Science, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia
| | - R Gardiner
- School of Science, Engineering and Technology, University of Sunshine Coast, Sippy Downs, Queensland, Australia
| | - R Hamer
- School of Natural Sciences, Biological Science, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia
| | - M Jones
- School of Natural Sciences, Biological Science, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia
| | - A M Martin
- Caesar Kleberg Wildlife Research Institute, Texas A&M University-Kingsville, Kingsville, Texas, USA
| | - S Carver
- School of Natural Sciences, Biological Science, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia
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Valldeperes M, Yerro PP, López-Olvera JR, Fandos P, Lavín S, Escofet RCS, Mentaberre G, León FJCM, Espinosa J, Ráez-Bravo A, Pérez JM, Tampach S, Estruch J, Velarde R, Granados JE. Diseases of Iberian ibex ( Capra pyrenaica). EUR J WILDLIFE RES 2023; 69:63. [PMID: 37274486 PMCID: PMC10233571 DOI: 10.1007/s10344-023-01684-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2023] [Revised: 02/03/2023] [Accepted: 05/02/2023] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
Iberian ibex (Capra pyrenaica) is an ecologically and economically relevant medium-sized emblematic mountain ungulate. Diseases participate in the population dynamics of the species as a regulating agent, but can also threaten the conservation and viability of vulnerable population units. Moreover, Iberian ibex can also be a carrier or even a reservoir of pathogens shared with domestic animals and/or humans, being therefore a concern for livestock and public health. The objective of this review is to compile the currently available knowledge on (1) diseases of Iberian ibex, presented according to their relevance on the health and demography of free-ranging populations; (2) diseases subjected to heath surveillance plans; (3) other diseases reported in the species; and (4) diseases with particular relevance in captive Iberian ibex populations. The systematic review of all the information on diseases affecting the species unveils unpublished reports, scientific communications in meetings, and scientific articles, allowing the first comprehensive compilation of Iberian ibex diseases. This review identifies the gaps in knowledge regarding pathogenesis, immune response, diagnostic methods, treatment, and management of diseases in Iberian ibex, providing a base for future research. Moreover, this challenges wildlife and livestock disease and wildlife population managers to assess the priorities and policies currently implemented in Iberian ibex health surveillance and monitoring and disease management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marta Valldeperes
- Servei d’Ecopatologia de Fauna Salvatge (SEFaS), Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193 Barcelona, Bellaterra Spain
- Wildlife Ecology & Health Group (WE&H), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Paloma Prieto Yerro
- Parque Natural de las Sierras de Cazorla, Segura y Las Villas, C/ Martínez Falero 11, 23470 Cazorla Jaén, Spain
- Grupo de Investigación RNM 118. Biología de Especies Cinegéticas y Plagas, Jaén, Spain
| | - Jorge Ramón López-Olvera
- Servei d’Ecopatologia de Fauna Salvatge (SEFaS), Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193 Barcelona, Bellaterra Spain
- Wildlife Ecology & Health Group (WE&H), Barcelona, Spain
| | | | - Santiago Lavín
- Servei d’Ecopatologia de Fauna Salvatge (SEFaS), Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193 Barcelona, Bellaterra Spain
- Wildlife Ecology & Health Group (WE&H), Barcelona, Spain
| | | | - Gregorio Mentaberre
- Wildlife Ecology & Health Group (WE&H), Barcelona, Spain
- Departament de Ciència Animal, Universitat de Lleida, 25198 Lleida, Spain
| | | | - José Espinosa
- Departamento de Sanidad Animal, Facultad de Veterinaria and Instituto de Ganadería de Montaña (CSIC-ULE), Universidad de León, 24071 León, Spain
| | - Arián Ráez-Bravo
- Servei d’Ecopatologia de Fauna Salvatge (SEFaS), Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193 Barcelona, Bellaterra Spain
- Wildlife Ecology & Health Group (WE&H), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Jesús M. Pérez
- Wildlife Ecology & Health Group (WE&H), Barcelona, Spain
- Grupo de Investigación RNM 118. Biología de Especies Cinegéticas y Plagas, Jaén, Spain
- Department of Animal and Plant Biology, and Ecology, Jaén University, Campus Las Lagunillas, 23071 Jaén, Spain
| | - Stefania Tampach
- Servei d’Ecopatologia de Fauna Salvatge (SEFaS), Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193 Barcelona, Bellaterra Spain
- Wildlife Ecology & Health Group (WE&H), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Josep Estruch
- Servei d’Ecopatologia de Fauna Salvatge (SEFaS), Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193 Barcelona, Bellaterra Spain
- Wildlife Ecology & Health Group (WE&H), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Roser Velarde
- Servei d’Ecopatologia de Fauna Salvatge (SEFaS), Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193 Barcelona, Bellaterra Spain
- Wildlife Ecology & Health Group (WE&H), Barcelona, Spain
| | - José Enrique Granados
- Wildlife Ecology & Health Group (WE&H), Barcelona, Spain
- Grupo de Investigación RNM 118. Biología de Especies Cinegéticas y Plagas, Jaén, Spain
- Parque Nacional y Parque Natural de Sierra Nevada. Ctra., Antigua de Sierra Nevada Km 7, Pinos Genil, 18191 Granada, Spain
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Valldeperes M, Granados JE, Pérez V, López-Olvera JR, Ráez-Bravo A, Fandos P, Pérez JM, Mentaberre G, Tampach S, Soriguer RC, Espinosa J. The local skin cellular immune response determines the clinical outcome of sarcoptic mange in Iberian ibex ( Capra pyrenaica). Front Vet Sci 2023; 10:1183304. [PMID: 37323847 PMCID: PMC10267361 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2023.1183304] [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: 03/09/2023] [Accepted: 04/28/2023] [Indexed: 06/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Sarcoptic mange, caused by Sarcoptes scabiei, is a disease with implications for wildlife conservation and management. Its severity depends on the host's local skin immune response, which is largely unknown in Iberian ibex (Capra pyrenaica), a mountain ungulate dramatically affected by mange. In this species, the clinical outcome of sarcoptic mange varies among individuals, and the local immune response could be key to controlling the infestation. This study aims to characterize the local cellular immune response and its relationship with the clinical outcome. Methods Fourteen Iberian ibexes were experimentally infested with S. scabiei and six more served as controls. Clinical signs were monitored, and skin biopsies were collected from the withers at 26, 46, and 103 days post-infection (dpi). The presence and distribution of macrophages (including M1 and M2 phenotypes), T lymphocytes, B lymphocytes, plasma cells, and interleukine 10 were quantitatively evaluated using immunohistochemical techniques. Results An inflammatory infiltrate that decreased significantly from 26 to 103 dpi was observed in all the infested ibexes. The predominant inflammatory cell population in the skin of the mangy ibexes was formed by macrophages (mainly the M2 phenotype) followed by T lymphocytes, with lower numbers of B lymphocytes and plasma cells. Three clinical courses were identified: total recovery, partial recovery, and terminal stage. The inflammatory infiltrates were less pronounced in the fully recovered ibexes than in those that progressed to the terminal stage throughout the study. Discussion The results suggest an exacerbated but effective Th1-type cellular immune response controlling mange in Iberian ibex. Furthermore, the local immune response appears to determine the variability of the clinical responses to S. scabiei infestation in this species. This first report on the progression of local skin immune cells is relevant not only for individuals but also for population management and conservation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marta Valldeperes
- Wildlife Ecology and Health Group (WE&H), Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), Barcelona, Spain
- Departament de Medicina i Cirurgia Animals, Servei d’Ecopatologia de Fauna Salvatge (SEFaS), Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), Barcelona, Spain
| | - José Enrique Granados
- Wildlife Ecology and Health Group (WE&H), Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), Barcelona, Spain
- Parque Nacional y Parque Natural de Sierra Nevada, Granada, Spain
| | - Valentín Pérez
- Department of Animal Health-Instituto de Ganadería de Montaña (IGM), ULe-CSIC León, León, Spain
- Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of León, León, Spain
| | - Jorge Ramón López-Olvera
- Wildlife Ecology and Health Group (WE&H), Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), Barcelona, Spain
- Departament de Medicina i Cirurgia Animals, Servei d’Ecopatologia de Fauna Salvatge (SEFaS), Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Arián Ráez-Bravo
- Wildlife Ecology and Health Group (WE&H), Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), Barcelona, Spain
- Departament de Medicina i Cirurgia Animals, Servei d’Ecopatologia de Fauna Salvatge (SEFaS), Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), Barcelona, Spain
| | | | - Jesús M. Pérez
- Wildlife Ecology and Health Group (WE&H), Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), Barcelona, Spain
- Department of Animal and Plant Biology, and Ecology, Jaén University, Campus Las Lagunillas, Jaén, Spain
| | - Gregorio Mentaberre
- Wildlife Ecology and Health Group (WE&H), Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), Barcelona, Spain
- Departament de Ciència Animal, Universitat de Lleida (UdL), Lleida, Spain
| | - Stefania Tampach
- Wildlife Ecology and Health Group (WE&H), Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), Barcelona, Spain
- Departament de Medicina i Cirurgia Animals, Servei d’Ecopatologia de Fauna Salvatge (SEFaS), Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), Barcelona, Spain
| | | | - José Espinosa
- Department of Animal Health-Instituto de Ganadería de Montaña (IGM), ULe-CSIC León, León, Spain
- Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of León, León, Spain
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Viani A, Orusa T, Borgogno-Mondino E, Orusa R. Snow Metrics as Proxy to Assess Sarcoptic Mange in Wild Boar: Preliminary Results in Aosta Valley (Italy). Life (Basel) 2023; 13:life13040987. [PMID: 37109516 PMCID: PMC10143256 DOI: 10.3390/life13040987] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2023] [Revised: 03/21/2023] [Accepted: 03/27/2023] [Indexed: 04/29/2023] Open
Abstract
The widespread diffusion of the wild boar on the Italian territory and its consistent use for hunting have created the possibility to conduct multiple studies on the pathologies afflicting this ungulate. Nevertheless, in the last two decades, only some pathologies such as classical and African Swine Fever, Tuberculosis, Brucellosis from Brucella suis have benefited from substantial public funding and the consequent great interest from the scientific world, while less attention was addressed to parasitic diseases including sarcoptic mange. Therefore, to fill this gap, the purpose of this study was to contribute to the knowledge of sarcoptic mange in the wild boar population in Aosta Valley in the Northwest of Italy, including sympatric species as foxes. Due to past field surveys, it has been possible to find a possible role of snow metrics in the spread of this pathogen. Even if there are only empirical evidence and the mechanism remain unknown remote sensing analysis considering snow metrics were performed to provide to veterinarians, foresters, biologists, and ecologists new tools to better understand wield board dynamics and join to ordinary tool an instrument to enhance management and planning strategies. The snow metrics (SM) were derived from USGS NASA Landsat 8 L2A retrieved from Theia CNES platform and processed in Orfeo Toolbox LIS extension package. The relationship between SM and the disease spread was tested per each Aosta Valley municipality obtaining LISA maps for each hunting season. The results have showed that this parasite is present in an endemic form even if with rather low prevalence values, equal to 1.2% in the season hunting season 2013/2014, and equal to 7.5% in the hunting season 2014/2015. Moreover, within simultaneous given values of SM, sarcoptic mange seem to find good conditions for spreading.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annalisa Viani
- Institute for Piedmont, Liguria, Aosta Valley (IZS PLV) S.C Valle d'Aosta-CeRMAS (National Reference Center for Wildlife Diseases), Località Amerique 7/G, 11020 Quart, Italy
| | - Tommaso Orusa
- GEO4Agri DISAFA Laboratory, Department of Agricultural, Forest and Food Sciences (DISAFA), University of Turin, Largo Paolo Braccini 2, 10095 Grugliasco, Italy
| | - Enrico Borgogno-Mondino
- GEO4Agri DISAFA Laboratory, Department of Agricultural, Forest and Food Sciences (DISAFA), University of Turin, Largo Paolo Braccini 2, 10095 Grugliasco, Italy
| | - Riccardo Orusa
- Institute for Piedmont, Liguria, Aosta Valley (IZS PLV) S.C Valle d'Aosta-CeRMAS (National Reference Center for Wildlife Diseases), Località Amerique 7/G, 11020 Quart, Italy
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Brown LJ, Davy CM. Evaluation of spot patterns and carapace abnormalities of an Endangered freshwater turtle, Clemmys guttata, as a potential tool for population assignment. ENDANGER SPECIES RES 2021. [DOI: 10.3354/esr01120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Many of the world’s contemporary species of turtle are extinct or threatened with extinction due to habitat loss, increases in anthropogenic sources of mortality, and poaching (illegal collection). The slow life-history strategy of most turtle species magnifies the effects of poaching because the loss of even a few mature individuals can impact population growth. Returning poached turtles to their population of origin, where possible, can mitigate these effects, but identifying the origin of these individuals can be challenging. We hypothesized that spot patterns might allow assignment of Endangered spotted turtles Clemmys guttata to their population of origin. We characterized and compared spot patterns from carapace photographs of 126 individuals from 10 sites. To explore other types of information these photographs might provide, we also documented carapacial scute abnormalities and quantified their association with genetic diversity and latitude. Spot pattern similarity was not higher within populations than among populations and did not accurately differentiate populations. Carapacial scute abnormalities occurred in 82% of turtles and were not correlated with estimates of neutral genetic diversity. Abnormalities were positively correlated with latitude, implicating thermal stress during the early stages of development in the generation of some scute deformities. However, this relationship became non-significant when line (scute seam) abnormalities were excluded from the data, suggesting a different primary cause for the more severe scute deformities. Further research should continue to investigate the drivers of these deformities, as monitoring shifts in the frequency of scute deformities may provide relevant information for conservation and recovery of endangered turtles.
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Affiliation(s)
- LJ Brown
- Wildlife Research and Monitoring Section, Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry, Trent University, Peterborough, Ontario K9L 0G2, Canada
| | - CM Davy
- Wildlife Research and Monitoring Section, Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry, Trent University, Peterborough, Ontario K9L 0G2, Canada
- Department of Biology, Trent University, Peterborough, Ontario K9L 0G2, Canada
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9
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Murray MH, Fidino M, Lehrer EW, Simonis JL, Magle SB. A multi-state occupancy model to non-invasively monitor visible signs of wildlife health with camera traps that accounts for image quality. J Anim Ecol 2021; 90:1973-1984. [PMID: 33942308 DOI: 10.1111/1365-2656.13515] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2020] [Accepted: 04/21/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Camera traps are an increasingly popular tool to monitor wildlife distributions. However, traditional analytical approaches to camera trap data are difficult to apply to visible wildlife characteristics in single images, such as infection status. Several parasites produce visible signs of infection that could be sampled via camera traps. Sarcoptic mange Sarcoptes scabiei is an ideal disease to study using cameras because it results in visible hair loss and affects a broad host range. Here, we developed a multi-state occupancy model to estimate the occurrence of mange in coyotes Canis latrans across an urban gradient. This model incorporates a secondary detection function for apparent by-image infection status to provide detection-corrected estimates of mange occurrence. We analysed a multi-year camera trap dataset in Chicago, Illinois, United States, to test whether the apparent occurrence of sarcoptic mange in coyotes Canis latrans increases with urbanization or varies through time. We documented visible signs consistent with current or recovering mange infection and variables we hypothesized would improve mange detection: The proportion of the coyote in frame, image blur and whether the image was in colour. We were more likely to detect coyotes with mange in images that were less blurry, in colour, and if a greater proportion of the coyote was visible. Mangy coyote occupancy was significantly higher in urban developed areas with low housing density and higher canopy cover whereas coyote occupancy, mangy or otherwise, decreased with urbanization. By incorporating image quality into our by-image detection function, we provide a robust method to non-invasively survey visible aspects of wildlife health with camera traps. Apparently mangy coyotes were associated with low-density forested neighbourhoods, which may offer vegetated areas while containing sources of anthropogenic resources. This association may contribute to human-wildlife conflict and reinforces posited relationships between infection risk and habitat use. More generally, our model could provide detection-corrected occupancy estimates of visible characteristics that vary by image such as body condition or injuries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maureen H Murray
- Department of Conservation and Science, Lincoln Park Zoo, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Mason Fidino
- Department of Conservation and Science, Lincoln Park Zoo, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Elizabeth W Lehrer
- Department of Conservation and Science, Lincoln Park Zoo, Chicago, IL, USA
| | | | - Seth B Magle
- Department of Conservation and Science, Lincoln Park Zoo, Chicago, IL, USA
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10
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Non-Invasive Molecular Survey of Sarcoptic Mange in Wildlife: Diagnostic Performance in Wolf Faecal Samples Evaluated by Multi-Event Capture-Recapture Models. Pathogens 2021; 10:pathogens10020243. [PMID: 33672583 PMCID: PMC7924033 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens10020243] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2021] [Revised: 02/12/2021] [Accepted: 02/17/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Sarcoptic mange is globally enzootic, and non-invasive methods with high diagnostic specificity for its surveillance in wildlife are lacking. We describe the molecular detection of Sarcoptes scabiei in non-invasively collected faecal samples, targeting the 16S rDNA gene. We applied this method to 843 Iberian wolf Canis lupus signatus faecal samples collected in north-western Portugal (2006-2018). We further integrated this with serological data (61 samples from wolf and 20 from red fox Vulpes vulpes, 1997-2019) in multi-event capture-recapture models. The mean predicted prevalence by the molecular analysis of wolf faecal samples from 2006-2018 was 7.2% (CI95 5.0-9.4%; range: 2.6-11.7%), highest in 2009. The mean predicted seroprevalence in wolves was 24.5% (CI95 18.5-30.6%; range: 13.0-55.0%), peaking in 2006-2009. Multi-event capture-recapture models estimated 100% diagnostic specificity and moderate diagnostic sensitivity (30.0%, CI95 14.0-53.0%) for the molecular method. Mange-infected individually identified wolves showed a tendency for higher mortality versus uninfected wolves (ΔMortality 0.150, CI95 -0.165-0.458). Long-term serology data highlights the endemicity of sarcoptic mange in wild canids but uncovers multi-year epidemics. This study developed and evaluated a novel method for surveying sarcoptic mange in wildlife populations by the molecular detection of S. scabiei in faecal samples, which stands out for its high specificity and non-invasive character.
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11
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Oleaga A, Balseiro A, Espí A, Royo LJ. Wolf (Canis lupus) as canine adenovirus type 1 (CAdV-1) sentinel for the endangered cantabrian brown bear (Ursus arctos arctos). Transbound Emerg Dis 2021; 69:516-523. [PMID: 33527683 DOI: 10.1111/tbed.14010] [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] [Received: 10/27/2020] [Revised: 01/20/2021] [Accepted: 01/25/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Canine adenovirus type 1 (CAdV-1) causes infectious canine hepatitis (ICH) and has recently been described as a cause of death among endangered populations of European brown bear (Ursus arctos arctos) in the Cantabrian mountain range in Asturias, Spain. Sympatric wild and domestic carnivores can act as reservoirs of the virus and likely spread it into the environment and subsequently transmit it to brown bears. The present work investigates the prevalence and geo-temporal distribution of CAdV-1 among free-ranging wolves (Canis lupus) in Asturias from 2009 to 2018, during which three fatal cases of ICH were reported among brown bears in the region. A total of 149 wolves were analysed in this study, of which 21 (14%) were found to have CAdV-1 DNA based on real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) of spleen samples. Prevalence of the virus was similar between males and females. All but one of the 20 CAdV-1-positive animals of estimable age were younger than 2 years, and only one of the 46 adult animals (>2 years) tested positive. Prevalence was highest in the western area of Asturias and during 2010 and 2011. Our results confirm that CAdV-1 is circulating in Asturian free-ranging wolves, supporting their possible role as virus reservoirs and sentinels in the region of this emerging disease in brown bears.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alvaro Oleaga
- Sociedad de Servicios del Principado de Asturias S.A. (SERPA), La Laboral, Gijón, Spain
| | - Ana Balseiro
- Departamento de Sanidad Animal, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad de León, León, Spain.,Departamento de Sanidad Animal, Instituto de Ganadería de Montaña (CSIC-Universidad de León), Grulleros, León, Spain
| | - Alberto Espí
- Servicio Regional de Investigación y Desarrollo Agroalimentario (SERIDA), Centro de Biotecnología Animal, Gijón, Spain
| | - Luis J Royo
- Servicio Regional de Investigación y Desarrollo Agroalimentario (SERIDA), Centro de Biotecnología Animal, Gijón, Spain
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12
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DeCandia AL, Schrom EC, Brandell EE, Stahler DR, vonHoldt BM. Sarcoptic mange severity is associated with reduced genomic variation and evidence of selection in Yellowstone National Park wolves ( Canis lupus). Evol Appl 2021; 14:429-445. [PMID: 33664786 PMCID: PMC7896714 DOI: 10.1111/eva.13127] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2020] [Revised: 07/28/2020] [Accepted: 08/25/2020] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Population genetic theory posits that molecular variation buffers against disease risk. Although this "monoculture effect" is well supported in agricultural settings, its applicability to wildlife populations remains in question. In the present study, we examined the genomics underlying individual-level disease severity and population-level consequences of sarcoptic mange infection in a wild population of canids. Using gray wolves (Canis lupus) reintroduced to Yellowstone National Park (YNP) as our focal system, we leveraged 25 years of observational data and biobanked blood and tissue to genotype 76,859 loci in over 400 wolves. At the individual level, we reported an inverse relationship between host genomic variation and infection severity. We additionally identified 410 loci significantly associated with mange severity, with annotations related to inflammation, immunity, and skin barrier integrity and disorders. We contextualized results within environmental, demographic, and behavioral variables, and confirmed that genetic variation was predictive of infection severity. At the population level, we reported decreased genome-wide variation since the initial gray wolf reintroduction event and identified evidence of selection acting against alleles associated with mange infection severity. We concluded that genomic variation plays an important role in disease severity in YNP wolves. This role scales from individual to population levels, and includes patterns of genome-wide variation in support of the monoculture effect and specific loci associated with the complex mange phenotype. Results yielded system-specific insights, while also highlighting the relevance of genomic analyses to wildlife disease ecology, evolution, and conservation.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Edward C. Schrom
- Ecology & Evolutionary BiologyPrinceton UniversityPrincetonNJUSA
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13
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Rudd JL, Clifford DL, Cypher BL, Hull JM, Jane Riner A, Foley JE. Molecular epidemiology of a fatal sarcoptic mange epidemic in endangered San Joaquin kit foxes (Vulpes macrotis mutica). Parasit Vectors 2020; 13:456. [PMID: 32894172 PMCID: PMC7487715 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-020-04328-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2020] [Accepted: 08/30/2020] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Background In 2013, sarcoptic mange, caused by Sarcoptes scabiei mites, precipitated a catastrophic decline of the formerly stable urban population of endangered San Joaquin kit foxes (Vulpes macrotis mutica) in Bakersfield, California, USA. In 2019, a smaller sarcoptic mange outbreak affected kit foxes 58 km southwest of Bakersfield in the town of Taft, California. To determine whether the Taft outbreak could have occurred as spillover from the Bakersfield outbreak and whether epidemic control efforts must involve not only kit foxes but also sympatric dogs (Canis lupus familiaris), coyotes (Canis latrans), and red foxes (Vulpes vulpes), we evaluated genotypes and gene flow among mites collected from each host species. Methods We used 10 Sarcoptes microsatellite markers (SARM) to perform molecular typing of 445 S. scabiei mites collected from skin scrapings from twenty-two infested kit foxes, two dogs, five coyotes, and five red foxes from Bakersfield, Taft, and other nearby cities. Results We identified 60 alleles across all SARM loci; kit fox- and red fox-derived mites were relatively monomorphic, while genetic variability was greatest in Bakersfield coyote- and dog-derived mites. AMOVA analysis documented distinct mite populations unique to hosts, with an overall FST of 0.467. The lowest FST (i.e. closest genetic relationship, FST = 0.038) was between Bakersfield and Taft kit fox-derived mites while the largest genetic difference was between Ventura coyote- and Taft kit fox-derived mites (FST = 0.843). Conclusions These results confirm the close relationship between the Taft and Bakersfield outbreaks. Although a spillover event likely initiated the kit fox mange outbreak, mite transmission is now primarily kit fox-to-kit fox. Therefore, any large-scale population level intervention should focus on treating kit foxes within the city.![]()
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Affiliation(s)
- Jaime L Rudd
- Department of Medicine and Epidemiology, University of California, Davis, CA, 95616, USA. .,Wildlife Investigations Laboratory, California Department of Fish and Wildlife, Rancho Cordova, CA, 95670, USA.
| | - Deana L Clifford
- Department of Medicine and Epidemiology, University of California, Davis, CA, 95616, USA.,Wildlife Investigations Laboratory, California Department of Fish and Wildlife, Rancho Cordova, CA, 95670, USA
| | - Brian L Cypher
- Endangered Species Recovery Program, California State University, Stanislaus, Turlock, CA, 95382, USA
| | - Joshua M Hull
- United States Fish and Wildlife Service, Sacramento, CA, 95825, USA
| | - A Jane Riner
- Department of Medicine and Epidemiology, University of California, Davis, CA, 95616, USA.,Wildlife Investigations Laboratory, California Department of Fish and Wildlife, Rancho Cordova, CA, 95670, USA
| | - Janet E Foley
- Department of Medicine and Epidemiology, University of California, Davis, CA, 95616, USA
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14
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Pérez JM, Granados JE, Espinosa J, Ráez‐Bravo A, López‐Olvera JR, ROSSI L, Meneguz PG, Angelone S, Fandos P, Soriguer RC. Biology and management of sarcoptic mange in wild Caprinae populations. Mamm Rev 2020. [DOI: 10.1111/mam.12213] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Jesús M. Pérez
- Department of Animal and Plant Biology, and Ecology Jaén University Campus Las Lagunillas, s.n.; E‐23071 Jaén Spain
| | - José E. Granados
- Carretera Antigua de Sierra Nevada Espacio Natural de Sierra Nevada Km 7, E‐18071 Pinos Genil, Granada Spain
| | - José Espinosa
- Department of Animal Health‐Instituto de Ganadería de Montaña (IGM) ULe‐CSIC León Spain
- Faculty of Veterinary Science University of León Campus de Vegazana, s.n.; E 24071 León Spain
| | - Arián Ráez‐Bravo
- Servei d’Ecopatologia de Fauna Salvatge Departament de Medicina i Cirurgia Animals Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona E‐08193 Bellaterra, Barcelona Spain
| | - Jorge R. López‐Olvera
- Servei d’Ecopatologia de Fauna Salvatge Departament de Medicina i Cirurgia Animals Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona E‐08193 Bellaterra, Barcelona Spain
| | - Luca ROSSI
- Dipartimento di Science Veterinarie Università di Torino Largo Paolo Braccini 2 10095 Grugliasco Italy
| | - Pier Giuseppe Meneguz
- Dipartimento di Science Veterinarie Università di Torino Largo Paolo Braccini 2 10095 Grugliasco Italy
| | - Samer Angelone
- Institute of Evolutionary Biology and Environmental Studies (IEU) University of Zürich Winterthurerstrasse 190 Zürich Switzerland
| | - Paulino Fandos
- Agencia de Medio Ambiente y Agua Isla de la Cartuja E‐41092 Sevilla Spain
| | - Ramón C Soriguer
- Estación Biológica de Doñana (CSIC) Av. Américo Vespucio, s.n E‐41092 Sevilla Spain
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15
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Immunohistochemical Assessment of Immune Response in the Dermis of Sarcoptes scabiei-Infested Wild Carnivores (Wolf and Fox) and Ruminants (Chamois and Red Deer). Animals (Basel) 2020; 10:ani10071146. [PMID: 32640758 PMCID: PMC7401513 DOI: 10.3390/ani10071146] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2020] [Revised: 07/01/2020] [Accepted: 07/03/2020] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary This article studies the local immune processes in dermis underlying the macroscopical differences (hyperkeratotic or alopecic) in mangy lesions from wolves (Canis lupus), foxes (Vulpes vulpes), chamois (Rupicapra rupicapra) and red deer (Cervus elaphus) naturally infested with Sarcoptes scabiei. Skin sections were immuno-stained to detect macrophages, plasma cells, T lymphocytes and B lymphocytes. Skin lesions contained significantly more inflammatory cells in fox than in wolf and chamois. Macrophages were the most abundant inflammatory cells in the lesions of all the species studied, suggesting a predominantly innate, non-specific immune response. Lesions from wolf contained higher proportions of macrophages than the other species, which may reflect a more effective response, leading to alopecic lesions. Fox and chamois may also mount substantial humoral and cellular immune responses with apparently scarce effectiveness that lead to hyperkeratotic lesions. Abstract Sarcoptic mange is caused by the mite Sarcoptes scabiei and has been described in several species of domestic and wild mammals. Macroscopic lesions are predominantly hyperkeratotic (type I hypersensitivity) in fox, chamois and deer, but alopecic (type IV hypersensitivity) in wolf and some fox populations. To begin to understand the immune processes underlying these species differences in lesions, we examined skin biopsies from wolves (Canis lupus), foxes (Vulpes vulpes), chamois (Rupicapra rupicapra) and red deer (Cervus elaphus) naturally infested with S. scabiei. Twenty skin samples from five animals per species were used. Sections were immuno-stained with primary antibodies against Iba1 to detect macrophages, lambda chain to detect plasma cells, CD3 to detect T lymphocytes and CD20 to detect B lymphocytes. Skin lesions contained significantly more inflammatory cells in the fox than in the wolf and chamois. Macrophages were the most abundant inflammatory cells in the lesions of all the species studied, suggesting a predominantly innate, non-specific immune response. Lesions from the wolf contained higher proportions of macrophages than the other species, which may reflect a more effective response, leading to alopecic lesions. In red deer, macrophages were significantly more abundant than plasma cells, T lymphocytes and B lymphocytes, which were similarly abundant. The fox proportion of plasma cells was significantly higher than those of T and B lymphocytes. In chamois, T lymphocytes were more abundant than B lymphocytes and plasma cells, although the differences were significant only in the case of macrophages. These results suggest that all the species examined mount a predominantly innate immune response against S. scabiei infestation, while fox and chamois may also mount substantial humoral and cellular immune responses, respectively, with apparently scarce effectiveness that lead to hyperkeratotic lesions.
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16
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Turchetto S, Obber F, Rossi L, D'Amelio S, Cavallero S, Poli A, Parisi F, Lanfranchi P, Ferrari N, Dellamaria D, Citterio CV. Sarcoptic Mange in Wild Caprinae of the Alps: Could Pathology Help in Filling the Gaps in Knowledge? Front Vet Sci 2020; 7:193. [PMID: 32432130 PMCID: PMC7214924 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2020.00193] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2019] [Accepted: 03/24/2020] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Sarcoptic mange represents the most severe disease for wild Caprinae individuals and populations in Europe, raising concerns for both conservation and management of these ungulates. To date, this disease has been investigated in different wild caprine species and under many different perspectives including diagnostics, epidemiology, impact on the host populations, and genetics of both hosts and parasite, with the aim to disentangle the host-Sarcoptes scabiei relationship. Notwithstanding, uncertainty remains and basic questions still need an answer. Among these are the effect of immune responses on mange severity at an individual level, the main drivers in host-parasite interactions for different clinical outcomes, and the role of the immune response in determining the shift from epidemic to endemic cycle. A deeper approach to the pathology of this disease seems therefore advisable, all the more reason considering that immune response to S. scabiei in wild Caprinae, generally classified as a hypersensitivity, remains poorly understood. In this paper, we reviewed the pathological features associated to sarcoptic mange in wildlife, exploring different kinds of hypersensitivity and outcomes, with the objective of highlighting the major drivers in the different responses to this disease at an individual level and proposing some key topics for future research, with a particular attention to Alps-dwelling wild caprines.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Federica Obber
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale delle Venezie—SCT2 Belluno—U.O. Ecopatologia, Belluno, Italy
| | - Luca Rossi
- Dipartimento di Scienze Veterinarie, Università degli Studi di Torino, Grugliasco, Italy
| | - Stefano D'Amelio
- Dipartimento di Sanità Pubblica e Malattie Infettive, Università di Roma “La Sapienza”, Rome, Italy
| | - Serena Cavallero
- Dipartimento di Sanità Pubblica e Malattie Infettive, Università di Roma “La Sapienza”, Rome, Italy
| | - Alessandro Poli
- Dipartimento di Scienze Veterinarie, Università di Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Francesca Parisi
- Dipartimento di Scienze Veterinarie, Università di Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Paolo Lanfranchi
- Dipartimento di Medicina Veterinaria, Università degli Studi di Milano, Lodi, Italy
| | - Nicola Ferrari
- Dipartimento di Medicina Veterinaria, Università degli Studi di Milano, Lodi, Italy
| | - Debora Dellamaria
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale delle Venezie—SCT5 Trento, Trento, Italy
| | - Carlo V. Citterio
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale delle Venezie—SCT2 Belluno—U.O. Ecopatologia, Belluno, Italy
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Abstract
Black bears (Ursus americanus) have historically been considered an uncommon host for sarcoptic mange. However, over the last 25 yr, sarcoptic mange has been increasingly reported in black bears in the northeastern US. Syndromic monitoring is the most common surveillance approach for mange in bears, but tools to monitor exposure to Sarcoptes scabiei in bear populations have not been thoroughly evaluated under field conditions. In this study, we validated a commercially available enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), designed to detect antibodies against S. scabiei in dogs, for use in black bears with a sensitivity and specificity of 95.6% and 96.6%, respectively. To further examine the performance of this assay, serial serum samples from seven black bears with confirmed sarcoptic mange were collected posttreatment to determine the persistence of detectable antibody response with the ELISA. Antibodies in black bears waned to below the limit of detection between 4 and 14 wk, suggesting that serology studies might underestimate the number of exposed black bears after antibodies have waned. State-wide serosurveys in Pennsylvania from hunter-harvested black bears in 2017 and 2018 showed a significant difference in seroprevalence between regions with high occurrence of mange (mean seroprevalence 6.7%, range of 6.6-6.8%) and low occurrence of mange (no seropositive black bears were detected). Within Pennsylvania, these data indicate that the geographic distribution of exposure to S. scabiei, based on serologic testing, generally reflects the distribution of overt disease, as determined by syndromic surveillance. Collectively, these results indicate the evaluated ELISA is an effective tool for monitoring S. scabiei exposure in bear populations and provides the framework for additional studies regarding sarcoptic mange epidemiology in black bears.
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18
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Pisano SRR, Zimmermann F, Rossi L, Capt S, Akdesir E, Bürki R, Kunz F, Origgi FC, Ryser-Degiorgis MP. Spatiotemporal spread of sarcoptic mange in the red fox (Vulpes vulpes) in Switzerland over more than 60 years: lessons learnt from comparative analysis of multiple surveillance tools. Parasit Vectors 2019; 12:521. [PMID: 31690337 PMCID: PMC6833187 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-019-3762-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2019] [Accepted: 10/22/2019] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Sarcoptic mange is a contagious skin disease of wild and domestic mammals caused by the mite Sarcoptes scabiei. Reports of sarcoptic mange in wildlife increased worldwide in the second half of the 20th century, especially since the 1990s. The aim of this study was to provide new insights into the epidemiology of mange by (i) documenting the emergence of sarcoptic mange in the red fox (Vulpes vulpes) in the last decades in Switzerland; and (ii) describing its spatiotemporal spread combining data obtained through different surveillance methods. METHODS Retrospective analysis of archived material together with prospective data collection delivered a large dataset from the 19th century to 2018. Methods included: (i) a review of historical literature; (ii) screening of necropsy reports from general health surveillance (1958-2018); (iii) screening of data on mange (1968-1992) collected during the sylvatic rabies eradication campaign; (iv) a questionnaire survey (<1980-2017) and (v) evaluation of camera-trap bycatch data (2005-2018). RESULTS Sarcoptic mange in red foxes was reported as early as 1835 in Switzerland. The first case diagnosed in the framework of the general health surveillance was in 1959. Prior to 1980, sarcoptic mange occurred in non-adjacent surveillance districts scattered all over the country. During the period of the rabies epidemic (1970s-early 1990s), the percentage of foxes tested for rabies with sarcoptic mange significantly decreased in subregions with rabies, whereas it remained high in the few rabies-free subregions. Sarcoptic mange re-emerged in the mid-1990s and continuously spread during the 2000-2010s, to finally extend to the whole country in 2017. The yearly prevalence of mange in foxes estimated by camera-trapping ranged from 0.1-12%. CONCLUSIONS Sarcoptic mange has likely been endemic in Switzerland as well as in other European countries at least since the mid-19th century. The rabies epidemics seem to have influenced the pattern of spread of mange in several locations, revealing an interesting example of disease interaction in free-ranging wildlife populations. The combination of multiple surveillance tools to study the long-term dynamics of sarcoptic mange in red foxes in Switzerland proved to be a successful strategy, which underlined the usefulness of questionnaire surveys.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simone Roberto Rolando Pisano
- Centre for Fish and Wildlife Health (FIWI), Department of Infectious Diseases and Pathobiology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Laenggassstrasse 122, PO Box, 3001 Bern, Switzerland
| | - Fridolin Zimmermann
- KORA – Carnivore Ecology and Wildlife Management, Thunstrasse 31, 3074 Muri, Switzerland
| | - Luca Rossi
- Dipartimento di Scienze Veterinarie, Università degli Studi di Torino, Largo Braccini 2, 10095 Grugliasco, Italy
| | - Simon Capt
- Info Fauna, Swiss Centre for the Cartography of the Fauna, Bellevaux 51, 2000 Neuchâtel, Switzerland
| | - Ezgi Akdesir
- Swiss Rabies Centre, Institute of Virology and Immunology (IVI), Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Laenggassstrasse 122, PO Box, 3001 Bern, Switzerland
| | - Roland Bürki
- KORA – Carnivore Ecology and Wildlife Management, Thunstrasse 31, 3074 Muri, Switzerland
| | - Florin Kunz
- KORA – Carnivore Ecology and Wildlife Management, Thunstrasse 31, 3074 Muri, Switzerland
| | - Francesco Carlo Origgi
- Centre for Fish and Wildlife Health (FIWI), Department of Infectious Diseases and Pathobiology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Laenggassstrasse 122, PO Box, 3001 Bern, Switzerland
| | - Marie-Pierre Ryser-Degiorgis
- Centre for Fish and Wildlife Health (FIWI), Department of Infectious Diseases and Pathobiology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Laenggassstrasse 122, PO Box, 3001 Bern, Switzerland
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19
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Valldeperes M, Granados JE, Pérez JM, Castro I, Ráez-Bravo A, Fandos P, López-Olvera JR, Serrano E, Mentaberre G. How sensitive and specific is the visual diagnosis of sarcoptic mange in free-ranging Iberian ibexes? Parasit Vectors 2019; 12:405. [PMID: 31416471 PMCID: PMC6694496 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-019-3665-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2019] [Accepted: 08/09/2019] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Sarcoptic mange is a broadly distributed parasitic disease caused by Sarcoptes scabiei that affects wild mammals from all over the world, including the Iberian ibex (Capra pyrenaica). Selective culling of the scabietic individuals is the main management measure for disease control in Iberian ibex populations. Although visual identification of mange-compatible lesions is the reference method to decide the target individual, both false negative and positive cases are common in the wild. The aim of this work is to determine the sensitivity (SE), and the specificity (SP) of selective culling after evaluating 403 ibexes hunted in the Sierra Nevada Nature Space for sarcoptic mange control between 2002 and 2015. Methods A combination of skin scrapings and potassium hidroxide (KOH) skin digestion was used for sarcoptic mange diagnosis. Generalized linear models (GLM) were used to assess the effects of sex, age (juveniles and adults) and period of the year (wet and dry periods) on the SE and SP of the visual diagnosis method. Results The SE obtained for the visual determination of scabietic ibexes was 87.14%, whereas the SP was 60.71%. According to our model selection, SE of the visual diagnosis was explained by the additive effects of age and the period of the year. In fact, SE was lower in juveniles (64.76%) than in adults (94.26%) and during the dry period (73.44%) as compared to the wet period (92.09%). On the other hand, SP was best explained by the GLM including the additive effects of sex and the period of the year. The visual diagnosis of sarcoptic mange resulted less specific in females (22.73%) than in males (74.19%) and during the wet (55.22%) than in the dry period (82.35%). Conclusions Maximizing SE and SP is essential to achieving a high rate of removal of affected individuals from the environment without eliminating potentially resistant individuals. Selective culling must be conservative during the wet period and with females due to the lower SP. Conversely, visual diagnosis of scabietic juveniles and during the dry period has to be improved, due to the lower SE.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marta Valldeperes
- Wildlife Ecology & Health group (WE&H) and Servei d'Ecopatologia de Fauna Salvatge (SEFaS), Departament de Medicina i Cirurgia Animals, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), 08190, Bellaterra, Barcelona, Spain
| | - José Enrique Granados
- Espacio Natural Sierra Nevada, Carretera Antigua de Sierra Nevada, Km 7, Pinos Genil, 18071, Granada, Spain
| | - Jesús María Pérez
- Departamento de Biología Animal, Biología Vegetal y Ecología, Universidad de Jaén, Campus Las Lagunillas, s.n, 23071, Jaén, Spain
| | - Inmaculada Castro
- Departamento de Biología Animal, Biología Vegetal y Ecología, Universidad de Jaén, Campus Las Lagunillas, s.n, 23071, Jaén, Spain
| | - Arián Ráez-Bravo
- Wildlife Ecology & Health group (WE&H) and Servei d'Ecopatologia de Fauna Salvatge (SEFaS), Departament de Medicina i Cirurgia Animals, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), 08190, Bellaterra, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Paulino Fandos
- Agencia de Medio Ambiente y Agua de Andalucía, 41092, Isla de la Cartuja,, Sevilla, Spain
| | - Jorge Ramón López-Olvera
- Wildlife Ecology & Health group (WE&H) and Servei d'Ecopatologia de Fauna Salvatge (SEFaS), Departament de Medicina i Cirurgia Animals, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), 08190, Bellaterra, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Emmanuel Serrano
- Wildlife Ecology & Health group (WE&H) and Servei d'Ecopatologia de Fauna Salvatge (SEFaS), Departament de Medicina i Cirurgia Animals, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), 08190, Bellaterra, Barcelona, Spain. .,Dipartimento di Scienze Veterinarie, Universitá di Torino, Grugliasco, Torino, Italy.
| | - Gregorio Mentaberre
- Wildlife Ecology & Health group (WE&H) and Servei d'Ecopatologia de Fauna Salvatge (SEFaS), Departament de Medicina i Cirurgia Animals, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), 08190, Bellaterra, Barcelona, Spain.,Departament de Ciència Animal, Escola Tècnica Superior d'Enginyeria Agraria (ETSEA), Universitat de Lleida (UdL), 25098, Lleida, Spain
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Matsuyama R, Yabusaki T, Senjyu N, Okano T, Baba M, Tsuji-Matsukane T, Yokoyama M, Kido N, Kadosaka T, Kato T, Suzuki M, Asano M. Possible transmission of Sarcoptes scabiei between herbivorous Japanese serows and omnivorous Caniformia in Japan: a cryptic transmission and persistence? Parasit Vectors 2019; 12:389. [PMID: 31383002 PMCID: PMC6683528 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-019-3630-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2019] [Accepted: 07/19/2019] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Two transmission patterns of Sarcoptes scabiei in host mammal communities have been reported based on microsatellite-level genetic studies in the last two decades. While one involves restrictions among different host taxa, the other is associated with predator–prey interactions between different host taxa. In contrast to these observations, the present study reports a possible irregular case of transmission of S. scabiei between herbivorous Japanese serow and omnivorous Caniformia mammals in Japan, though under very weak predator–prey relationships. Methods DNA from 93 Sarcoptes mites isolated from omnivorous Caniformia (such as the domestic dog, raccoon dog, raccoon and Japanese marten), omnivorous Cetartiodactyla (wild boar) and herbivorous Cetartiodactyla (Japanese serow) in Japan were analyzed by amplifying nine microsatellite markers. Principal components analyses (PCA), Bayesian clustering analyses using STRUCTURE software, and phylogenetic analyses by constructing a NeighborNet network were applied to determine the genetic relationships among mites associated with host populations. Results In all the analyses, the genetic differentiation of Sarcoptes mites from wild boars and Japanese serows was observed. Conversely, considerably close genetic relationships were detected between Caniformia-derived and Japanese serow-derived mites. Because the predator–prey interactions between the omnivorous Caniformia and herbivorous Japanese serow are quite limited and epidemiological history shows at least a 10-year lag between the emergence of sarcoptic mange in Japanese serow and that in Caniformia, the transmission of S. scabiei from Caniformia to Japanese serow is highly suspected. Conclusions The close genetic relationships among mites beyond Host–taxon relationships and without obvious predator–prey interactions in Caniformia and Japanese serow deviate from previously reported S. scabiei transmission patterns. This type of cryptic relationship of S. scabiei populations may exist in local mammalian communities worldwide and become a risk factor for the conservation of the remnant and fragmented populations of wild mammals. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s13071-019-3630-5) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryota Matsuyama
- Graduate School of Biomedical and Health Sciences, Hiroshima University, Hiroshima, Japan
| | | | - Natsuko Senjyu
- Faculty of Applied Biological Sciences, Gifu University, Gifu, Japan
| | - Tsukasa Okano
- Gifu Prefectural Chuo Meat Inspection Office, Ogaki, Japan
| | - Minoru Baba
- Kitakyushu Museum of Natural History and Human History, Kitakyushu, Japan
| | | | | | - Nobuhide Kido
- Zoorasia Yokohama Zoological Gardens, Yokohama, Japan
| | - Teruki Kadosaka
- Department of Infection and Immunity, Aichi Medical University, Nagakute, Japan
| | - Takuya Kato
- Faculty of Veterinary Science, Nippon Veterinary and Life Science University, Musashino, Japan
| | - Masatsugu Suzuki
- Faculty of Applied Biological Sciences, Gifu University, Gifu, Japan
| | - Makoto Asano
- Faculty of Applied Biological Sciences, Gifu University, Gifu, Japan.
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Niedringhaus KD, Brown JD, Sweeley KM, Yabsley MJ. A review of sarcoptic mange in North American wildlife. Int J Parasitol Parasites Wildl 2019; 9:285-297. [PMID: 31304085 PMCID: PMC6599944 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijppaw.2019.06.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2019] [Revised: 06/05/2019] [Accepted: 06/06/2019] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
The "itch mite" or "mange mite", Sarcoptes scabiei, causes scabies in humans and sarcoptic mange in domestic and free-ranging animals. This mite has a wide host range due to its ability to adapt to new hosts and has been spread across the globe presumably through human expansion. While disease caused by S. scabiei has been very well-studied in humans and domestic animals, there are still numerous gaps in our understanding of this pathogen in free-ranging wildlife. The literature on sarcoptic mange in North American wildlife is particularly limited, which may be due to the relatively limited number of clinically-affected species and lack of severe population impacts seen in other continents. This review article provides a summary of the current knowledge of mange in wildlife, with a focus on the most common clinically-affected species in North America including red foxes (Vulpes vulpes), gray wolves (Canis lupus), coyotes (Canis latrans), and American black bears (Ursus americanus).
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Affiliation(s)
- Kevin D. Niedringhaus
- Southeastern Cooperative Wildlife Disease Study, 589 D.W. Brooks Drive, Wildlife Health Building, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, 30602, USA
| | - Justin D. Brown
- Department of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences, 115 Henning Building, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, 16802, USA
| | - Kellyn M. Sweeley
- College of Veterinary Medicine, 501 D.W. Brooks Drive, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, 30602, USA
| | - Michael J. Yabsley
- Southeastern Cooperative Wildlife Disease Study, 589 D.W. Brooks Drive, Wildlife Health Building, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, 30602, USA
- Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources, 180 E Green Street, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, 30602, USA
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Wolf TM, Singer RS, Lonsdorf EV, Maclehose R, Gillespie TR, Lipende I, Raphael J, Terio K, Murray C, Pusey A, Hahn BH, Kamenya S, Mjungu D, Travis DA. Syndromic Surveillance of Respiratory Disease in Free-Living Chimpanzees. ECOHEALTH 2019; 16:275-286. [PMID: 30838479 PMCID: PMC6684380 DOI: 10.1007/s10393-019-01400-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2017] [Revised: 01/21/2019] [Accepted: 01/23/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Disease surveillance in wildlife is rapidly expanding in scope and methodology, emphasizing the need for formal evaluations of system performance. We examined a syndromic surveillance system for respiratory disease detection in Gombe National Park, Tanzania, from 2004 to 2012, with respect to data quality, disease trends, and respiratory disease detection. Data quality was assessed by examining community coverage, completeness, and consistency. The data were examined for baseline trends; signs of respiratory disease occurred at a mean frequency of less than 1 case per week, with most weeks containing zero observations of abnormalities. Seasonal and secular (i.e., over a period of years) trends in respiratory disease frequency were not identified. These baselines were used to develop algorithms for outbreak detection using both weekly counts and weekly prevalence thresholds and then compared retrospectively on the detection of 13 respiratory disease clusters from 2005 to 2012. Prospective application of outbreak detection algorithms to real-time syndromic data would be useful in triggering a rapid outbreak response, such as targeted diagnostic sampling, enhanced surveillance, or mitigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tiffany M Wolf
- Veterinary Population Medicine, University of Minnesota, 495 Animal Science/Veterinary Medicine, 1988 Fitch Ave, St. Paul, MN, 55108, USA.
| | - Randall S Singer
- Veterinary Biomedical Sciences, University of Minnesota, 1971 Commonwealth Ave, St. Paul, MN, 55108, USA
| | | | - Richard Maclehose
- Division of Epidemiology and Community Health, School of Public Health, University of Minnesota, 1300 S 2nd St, Minneapolis, MN, 55454, USA
| | - Thomas R Gillespie
- Emory University and Rollins School of Public Health, 400 Dowman Drive, Math and Science Center, Suite E510, Atlanta, GA, 30322, USA
| | - Iddi Lipende
- Gombe Stream Research Center, Jane Goodall Institute, PO Box 1182, Kigoma, Tanzania
| | - Jane Raphael
- Gombe National Park, Tanzania National Parks Authority, S L P 185, Kigoma, Tanzania
| | - Karen Terio
- Zoological Pathology Program, University of Illinois, 3300 Golf Rd, Brookfield, IL, 60513, USA
| | - Carson Murray
- George Washington University, 800 22nd St. NW, Suite 6000, Washington, DC, 20052, USA
| | - Anne Pusey
- Duke University, Box 90383, Durham, NC, 27708, USA
| | - Beatrice H Hahn
- Departments of Medicine and Microbiology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, 409 Johnson Pavilion, 3610 Hamilton Walk, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Shadrack Kamenya
- Gombe Stream Research Center, Jane Goodall Institute, PO Box 1182, Kigoma, Tanzania
| | - Deus Mjungu
- Gombe Stream Research Center, Jane Goodall Institute, PO Box 1182, Kigoma, Tanzania
| | - Dominic A Travis
- Veterinary Population Medicine, University of Minnesota, 495 Animal Science/Veterinary Medicine, 1988 Fitch Ave, St. Paul, MN, 55108, USA
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23
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First description of sarcoptic mange in the endangered Iberian lynx ( Lynx pardinus): clinical and epidemiological features. EUR J WILDLIFE RES 2019; 65:40. [PMID: 32214948 PMCID: PMC7087905 DOI: 10.1007/s10344-019-1283-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2018] [Revised: 04/09/2019] [Accepted: 04/12/2019] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
A 6-month-old female Iberian lynx (Lynx pardinus) cub that was severely affected by mange died in September 2016 in the Montes de Toledo (Spain) with crusts and fissures on its face, outer ears, nipples and footpads. The body condition of the cub was very poor, and it also had a mandibular abscess and a severely ankylosed luxation on its left knee. After confirming that the origin of the deceased cub’s dermal lesions was Sarcoptes scabiei, the subsequent search for ectoparasites and a comparison of histopathological and immunohistochemical findings in all sympatric lynxes handled (n = 30) and submitted for necropsy (n = 4) during 2016 and 2017 revealed the presence of S. scabiei mites and/or milder mange compatible lesions in five members of her family group, which was treated against mange together with two exposed contiguous family groups. An ELISA developed by the authors showed the presence of antibodies against S. scabiei in the deceased female cub and one brother. The presence of concomitant immunosuppressive factors in the dead female cub and the results obtained for the other sympatric lynxes studied since 2016 suggest that S. scabiei had a limited effect on immune-competent Iberian lynxes in the local population of the Montes de Toledo. However, a different evolution and relevance of sarcoptic mange in different populations—or even in the same one in the presence of immunosuppressive factors—cannot be ruled out, thus confirming the need for further research in order to attain a complete comprehension of the epidemiology and the real threat that this ectoparasitic disease may imply for L. pardinus.
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24
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Wolf TM, Annie Wang W, Lonsdorf EV, Gillespie TR, Pusey A, Gilby IC, Travis DA, Singer RS. Optimizing syndromic health surveillance in free ranging great apes: the case of Gombe National Park. J Appl Ecol 2019; 56:509-518. [PMID: 30983624 PMCID: PMC6457473 DOI: 10.1111/1365-2664.13284] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2018] [Accepted: 08/13/2018] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
1. Syndromic surveillance is an incipient approach to early wildlife disease detection. Consequently, systematic assessments are needed for methodology validation in wildlife populations. 2. We evaluated the sensitivity of a syndromic surveillance protocol for respiratory disease detection among chimpanzees in Gombe National Park, Tanzania. Empirical health, behavioural and demographic data were integrated with an agent-based, network model to simulate disease transmission and surveillance. 3. Surveillance sensitivity was estimated as 66% (95% Confidence Interval: 63.1, 68.8%) and 59.5% (95% Confidence Interval: 56.5%, 62.4%) for two monitoring methods (weekly count and prevalence thresholds, respectively), but differences among calendar quarters in outbreak size and surveillance sensitivity suggest seasonal effects. 4. We determined that a weekly detection threshold of ≥2 chimpanzees with clinical respiratory disease leading to outbreak response protocols (enhanced observation and biological sampling) is an optimal algorithm for outbreak detection in this population. 5. Synthesis and applications. This is the first quantitative assessment of syndromic surveillance in wildlife, providing a model approach to detecting disease emergence. Coupling syndromic surveillance with targeted diagnostic sampling in the midst of suspected outbreaks will provide a powerful system for detecting disease transmission and understanding population impacts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tiffany M Wolf
- Veterinary Population Medicine Department, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, Minnesota 55108, USA
| | - Wenchun Annie Wang
- Department of Computer Science, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, S7N 5C9 Canada
| | - Elizabeth V Lonsdorf
- Department of Psychology, Franklin and Marshall College, Lancaster, Pennsylvania 17604, USA
| | - Thomas R Gillespie
- Emory University & Rollins School of Public Health, Atlanta, Georgia 30322, USA
| | - Anne Pusey
- Duke University, Durham, North Carolina 27708, USA
| | - Ian C Gilby
- School of Human Evolution and Social Change, Institute of Human Origins, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona, 85287 USA
| | - Dominic A Travis
- Veterinary Population Medicine Department, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, Minnesota 55108, USA
| | - Randall S Singer
- Veterinary Biomedical Sciences Department, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, Minnesota 55108 USA
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26
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Li CY, Sun Y, Xie Y, Zhou X, Gu XB, Lai WM, Peng XR, Yang G. Genetic variability of wildlife-derived Sarcoptes scabiei determined by the ribosomal ITS-2 and mitochondrial 16S genes. EXPERIMENTAL & APPLIED ACAROLOGY 2018; 76:53-70. [PMID: 30238307 DOI: 10.1007/s10493-018-0290-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2018] [Accepted: 08/23/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Infestation by the ectoparasitic mite Sarcoptes scabiei (Acari: Sarcoptidae) has important implications for global wildlife conservation and both animal and human health. Ribosomal and mitochondrial DNA sequences of parasites are useful to determine genetic diversity and to describe their likely dynamic evolution. In this study, we described the genetic diversity of S. scabiei individuals collected from wild animals in China by sequencing the ribosomal ITS-2 and mitochondrial 16S rRNA genes. A total of 13 Sarcoptes isolates of wildlife, coupled with one of rabbit origin, were subjected to genetic characteristics. After cloning and sequencing, 14 ITS-2 sequences and 12 16S rRNA sequences were obtained and analyzed. Further analysis of haplotype network and population genetic structure revealed that there were 79 haplotypes in ITS-2 (main haplotype H2) and 31 haplotypes in 16S rRNA (main haplotype C10). The phylogenetic trees showed some partial clustering by location and host, and the analysis of gene polymorphism may prompt that all isolates of S. scabiei have a similar origin. We speculate that the genetic evolution of S. scabiei may be related with that of the hosts, but more research is necessary to better understand the host-parasite co-evolutionary relationship in S. scabiei. These results provide new insights into understanding the population genetics and evolutionary biology of S. scabiei and therefore a better understanding of controlling its infestation pathways worldwide.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chun-Yan Li
- Department of Parasitology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, 211 Huimin Road, Wenjiang, Chengdu, 611130, Sichuan Province, China
| | - Yin Sun
- Department of Parasitology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, 211 Huimin Road, Wenjiang, Chengdu, 611130, Sichuan Province, China
| | - Yue Xie
- Department of Parasitology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, 211 Huimin Road, Wenjiang, Chengdu, 611130, Sichuan Province, China
| | - Xuan Zhou
- Institute of Animal Genetics and Breeding, College of Animal Science and Technology, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, 611130, China
| | - Xiao-Bin Gu
- Department of Parasitology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, 211 Huimin Road, Wenjiang, Chengdu, 611130, Sichuan Province, China
| | - Wei-Ming Lai
- Department of Parasitology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, 211 Huimin Road, Wenjiang, Chengdu, 611130, Sichuan Province, China
| | - Xue-Rong Peng
- Department of Chemistry, College of Life and Basic Science, Sichuan Agricultural University, Wenjiang, China
| | - Guangyou Yang
- Department of Parasitology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, 211 Huimin Road, Wenjiang, Chengdu, 611130, Sichuan Province, China.
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Expanded Molecular Typing of Sarcoptes scabiei Provides Further Evidence of Disease Spillover Events in the Epidemiology of Sarcoptic Mange in Australian Marsupials. J Wildl Dis 2018; 55:231-237. [PMID: 30096035 DOI: 10.7589/2018-04-101] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
The invasive ectoparasite Sarcoptes scabiei affects the welfare and conservation of Australian marsupials. Molecular data suggest that spillover from other hosts may be responsible for the emergence of this infectious disease, but the scale of such studies is limited. We performed expanded molecular typing of the S. scabiei mitochondrial cox1 gene from 81 skin scrapings from infested wombats ( Vombatus ursinus), koalas ( Phascolarctos cinereus), red foxes ( Vulpes vulpes), and dogs ( Canis lupus familiaris) across Australia. Combined with existing S. scabiei sequences, our analysis revealed 16 haplotypes among Australian animals, sharing between 93.3% and 99.7% sequence similarity. While some sequences were unique to specific hosts or to Australia, key haplotypes could be detected across several marsupial hosts as well as to wild or domestic canids in Australia. We identified 43 cox1 haplotypes with many Australian haplotypes identical to S. scabiei mites from inside and outside Europe. We concluded that multiple introduction events were plausible explanations to the origin and emergence of this parasite into Australian marsupials and that disease spillover from canids was likely. Together, our greatly expanded S. scabiei sequence dataset provided a more nuanced picture of both spillover and sustained intraspecific transmission for this important parasite.
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Haas C, Origgi FC, Rossi S, López-Olvera JR, Rossi L, Castillo-Contreras R, Malmsten A, Dalin AM, Orusa R, Robetto S, Pignata L, Lavín S, Ryser-Degiorgis MP. Serological survey in wild boar (Sus scrofa) in Switzerland and other European countries: Sarcoptes scabiei may be more widely distributed than previously thought. BMC Vet Res 2018; 14:117. [PMID: 29587849 PMCID: PMC5872548 DOI: 10.1186/s12917-018-1430-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2016] [Accepted: 03/15/2018] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Sarcoptic mange has recently emerged in wild boar in Switzerland, raising the question of the origin of the infection. The main aim of this study was to assess the extent of exposure of the wild boar populations to Sarcoptes scabiei in Switzerland, prior to and after the detection of mange cases, to determine whether the mite has been recently introduced into the populations concerned. We performed a serological survey using a commercially available ELISA and 1056 archived blood samples of free-ranging wild boar from Switzerland. To facilitate the interpretation of the obtained data, we additionally estimated seroprevalence in wild boar populations of four other European countries (1060 samples), both from areas with confirmed clinical cases of mange and from areas without reported cases in wild boar. Lastly, we revised the evaluation of the commercial ELISA when used with wild boar sera. Results Seropositive reactions were observed for samples from all five countries and from 15 of the 16 study areas. The obtained apparent seroprevalences ranged from 0.0% (0/82; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.0–4.4) to 17.4% (8/46; 95% CI: 7.8–31.4). Wild boar from study areas with known clinical cases and those ≤60 kg were four times more likely to be seropositive than wild boar from areas without reported cases and > 60 kg, respectively. Optical density values did not differ between the two types of study areas among seropositive samples but were significantly lower among seronegative samples from areas without than from areas with clinical cases. No difference was observed between the two sampling periods in Switzerland. The revised ELISA specificity was 96.8% (984/1017; 95% CI: 95.5–97.7) when wild boar from areas without history of mange were considered truly negative. Conclusions Seropositivity to S. scabiei is more frequent and occurs over a larger geographic range than expected. Data suggest that the parasite is endemic within the wild boar populations of Switzerland and other European countries but that its presence is not necessarily associated with disease occurrence. Extrinsic factors which trigger disease emergence in infected populations remain to be investigated. The applied ELISA represents a promising tool for future studies. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s12917-018-1430-3) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chloé Haas
- Centre for Fish and Wildlife Health, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Länggass-Str. 122, Postfach, 3001, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Francesco C Origgi
- Centre for Fish and Wildlife Health, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Länggass-Str. 122, Postfach, 3001, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Sophie Rossi
- Office National de la Chasse et de la Faune Sauvage, Unité Sanitaire de la Faune, Micropolis, la Bérardie, Belle Aureille, 05000, Gap, France
| | - Jorge R López-Olvera
- Wildlife Ecology & Health group (WildEH) and Servei d'Ecopatologia de Fauna Salvatge (SEFaS), Departament de Medicina i Cirurgia Animals, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193-Bellaterra, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Luca Rossi
- Dipartimento di Scienze Veterinarie, Università di Torino, Largo Braccini 2, 10095 Grugliasco, Torino, Italy
| | - Raquel Castillo-Contreras
- Wildlife Ecology & Health group (WildEH) and Servei d'Ecopatologia de Fauna Salvatge (SEFaS), Departament de Medicina i Cirurgia Animals, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193-Bellaterra, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Anna Malmsten
- Sveriges lantbruksuniversitet, Institution för kliniska vetenskaper, Avdelning för reproduktion, Box 7054, 75007, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Anne-Marie Dalin
- Sveriges lantbruksuniversitet, Institution för kliniska vetenskaper, Avdelning för reproduktion, Box 7054, 75007, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Riccardo Orusa
- National Reference Centre for Wildlife Diseases (CeRMAS), Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Piemonte, Liguria e Valle d'Aosta, 7/G, Regione Amerique, 11020 Quart, Aosta, Italy
| | - Serena Robetto
- National Reference Centre for Wildlife Diseases (CeRMAS), Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Piemonte, Liguria e Valle d'Aosta, 7/G, Regione Amerique, 11020 Quart, Aosta, Italy
| | - Luciano Pignata
- Azienda Sanitaria Locale Torino 3 di Collegno e Pinerolo, Via Martiri XXX Aprile, 30, 10093 Collegno, Torino, Italy
| | - Santiago Lavín
- Wildlife Ecology & Health group (WildEH) and Servei d'Ecopatologia de Fauna Salvatge (SEFaS), Departament de Medicina i Cirurgia Animals, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193-Bellaterra, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Marie-Pierre Ryser-Degiorgis
- Centre for Fish and Wildlife Health, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Länggass-Str. 122, Postfach, 3001, Bern, Switzerland.
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Leishmania in wolves in northern Spain: A spreading zoonosis evidenced by wildlife sanitary surveillance. Vet Parasitol 2018; 255:26-31. [PMID: 29773132 DOI: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2018.03.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2018] [Revised: 03/14/2018] [Accepted: 03/17/2018] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Leishmaniosis is, to date, considered the second most important emerging vector-borne protozoal disease in the world after malaria. The form of zoonotic visceral leishmaniosis found in the Mediterranean basin is caused by Leishmania infantum, and its life cycle includes the domestic dog and a phlebotomine sandfly vector. This complex epidemiological cycle and its high prevalence of subclinical infection, hinder the surveillance and control of L. infantum, and allows it to go unnoticed at the geographical endemicity limits of the parasite or in recently colonized areas. We, therefore, tested 102 wolves (Canis lupus) and 47 other wild carnivores in order to detect Leishmania DNA by means of PCR. Samples were collected from 2008 to 2014 in Asturias (northern Spain), a region considered non-endemic for the parasite. The results obtained provided valuable information regarding the prevalence of Leishmania in wild carnivores in Asturias and its geographic distribution in the region: an average prevalence of 33% for wolves and an overall prevalence of 40% for all the wild carnivores studied were reported, with a widespread presence of the parasite in the region and an apparent increase in its prevalence in wolves during the last decade. This suggests the usefulness of the wolf as a sentinel species for the detection and study of Leishmania in the field and confirms the value of wildlife sanitary surveillance programs for the detection and monitoring of hitherto disregarded diseases that affect domestic animals and humans.
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Sugiura N, Doi K, Kato T, Morita T, Hayama SI. Epizootic of sarcoptic mange in raccoon dogs (Nyctereutes procyonoides) in relation to population density. J Vet Med Sci 2018; 80:544-548. [PMID: 29353863 PMCID: PMC5880840 DOI: 10.1292/jvms.17-0092] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
To examine outbreaks of mange in raccoon dogs (Nyctereutes procyonoides) with respect to population density, we analyzed camera trap videos, and isolated mites from raccoon dog carcasses. In a camera trapping survey, we categorized the skin condition of raccoon dogs, and used a number of independent videos to calculate the relative abundance index (RAI). The RAI of raccoon dogs with alopecia increased following an increase in the RAI of those without alopecia. Among 27 raccoon dog carcasses, 12 showed mange-compatible skin lesions. Sarcoptes scabiei was isolated from 11 of these raccoon dogs, indicating that sarcoptic mange was endemic in our study area. Therefore, a high relative population density may be a factor underlying epizootics of sarcoptic mange in raccoon dogs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natsuko Sugiura
- Division of Wildlife Science, Nippon Veterinary and Life Science University, 1-7-1 Kyonancho, Musashino, Tokyo 180-8602, Japan
| | - Kandai Doi
- Division of Wildlife Science, Nippon Veterinary and Life Science University, 1-7-1 Kyonancho, Musashino, Tokyo 180-8602, Japan
| | - Takuya Kato
- Division of Wildlife Science, Nippon Veterinary and Life Science University, 1-7-1 Kyonancho, Musashino, Tokyo 180-8602, Japan
| | - Tatsushi Morita
- Division of Veterinary Infectious Disease, Nippon Veterinary and Life Science University, 1-7-1 Kyonancho, Musashino, Tokyo 180-8602, Japan
| | - Shin-Ichi Hayama
- Division of Wildlife Science, Nippon Veterinary and Life Science University, 1-7-1 Kyonancho, Musashino, Tokyo 180-8602, Japan
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Abstract
The disease scabies is one of the earliest diseases of humans for which the cause was known. It is caused by the mite, Sarcoptes scabiei, that burrows in the epidermis of the skin of humans and many other mammals. This mite was previously known as Acarus scabiei DeGeer, 1778 before the genus Sarcoptes was established (Latreille 1802) and it became S. scabiei. Research during the last 40 years has tremendously increased insight into the mite’s biology, parasite-host interactions, and the mechanisms it uses to evade the host’s defenses. This review highlights some of the major advancements of our knowledge of the mite’s biology, genome, proteome, and immunomodulating abilities all of which provide a basis for control of the disease. Advances toward the development of a diagnostic blood test to detect a scabies infection and a vaccine to protect susceptible populations from becoming infected, or at least limiting the transmission of the disease, are also presented.
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Affiliation(s)
- Larry G Arlian
- Department of Biological Sciences, Wright State University, 3640 Colonel Glenn Hwy, Dayton, OH, 45435, USA.
| | - Marjorie S Morgan
- Department of Biological Sciences, Wright State University, 3640 Colonel Glenn Hwy, Dayton, OH, 45435, USA
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Saito MU, Sonoda Y. Symptomatic Raccoon Dogs and Sarcoptic Mange Along an Urban Gradient. ECOHEALTH 2017; 14:318-328. [PMID: 28374159 DOI: 10.1007/s10393-017-1233-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2016] [Revised: 01/08/2017] [Accepted: 03/01/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
We quantitatively evaluated the effects of landscape factors on the distribution of symptomatic raccoon dogs with sarcoptic mange along an urban gradient. We used 246 camera traps (182 traps from April 2005 to December 2006; 64 traps from September 2009 to October 2010) to record the occurrence of asymptomatic and symptomatic raccoon dogs at 21 survey sites along an urban-rural gradient in the Tama Hills area of Tokyo. Each occurrence was explained in terms of the surrounding forest, agricultural, and grassland areas and additional factors (i.e., seasonal variations and survey methods) at various spatial scales using a generalized additive mixed model (GAMM). In our analysis, a 1000-m radius was identified as the important spatial scale for asymptomatic and symptomatic raccoon dog occurrence. The peak of the predicted occurrence probability of asymptomatic raccoon dogs appeared in the intermediate forest landscape as opposed to non-forest and forest landscapes. However, a high occurrence probability of symptomatic raccoon dogs was detected in non-forest and intermediate forest landscapes (i.e., urban and suburban) as opposed to a forest landscape, presumably because of animals occurring at much higher densities in more urbanized areas. Therefore, our results suggest that human-modified landscapes play an important role in the high occurrence of sarcoptic mange in raccoon dogs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Masayuki U Saito
- Faculty of Agriculture, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, 3-5-8 Saiwaicho, Fuchu-Shi, Tokyo, 183-8509, Japan.
- Japan Society for the Promotion of Science, Tokyo, Japan.
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Carricondo-Sanchez D, Odden M, Linnell JDC, Odden J. The range of the mange: Spatiotemporal patterns of sarcoptic mange in red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) as revealed by camera trapping. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0176200. [PMID: 28423011 PMCID: PMC5397041 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0176200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2016] [Accepted: 04/06/2017] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Sarcoptic mange is a widely distributed disease that affects numerous mammalian species. We used camera traps to investigate the apparent prevalence and spatiotemporal dynamics of sarcoptic mange in a red fox population in southeastern Norway. We monitored red foxes for five years using 305 camera traps distributed across an 18000 km2 area. A total of 6581 fox events were examined to visually identify mange compatible lesions. We investigated factors associated with the occurrence of mange by using logistic models within a Bayesian framework, whereas the spatiotemporal dynamics of the disease were analysed with space-time scan statistics. The apparent prevalence of the disease fluctuated over the study period with a mean of 3.15% and credible interval [1.25, 6.37], and our best logistic model explaining the presence of red foxes with mange-compatible lesions included time since the beginning of the study and the interaction between distance to settlement and season as explanatory variables. The scan analyses detected several potential clusters of the disease that varied in persistence and size, and the locations in the cluster with the highest probability were closer to human settlements than the other survey locations. Our results indicate that red foxes in an advanced stage of the disease are most likely found closer to human settlements during periods of low wild prey availability (winter). We discuss different potential causes. Furthermore, the disease appears to follow a pattern of small localized outbreaks rather than sporadic isolated events.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Carricondo-Sanchez
- Faculty of Applied Ecology and Agricultural Sciences, Hedmark University of Applied Sciences, Koppang, Norway
- * E-mail:
| | - Morten Odden
- Faculty of Applied Ecology and Agricultural Sciences, Hedmark University of Applied Sciences, Koppang, Norway
| | | | - John Odden
- Norwegian Institute for Nature Research, Trondheim, Norway
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Khatri-Chhetri R, Chang TC, Khatri-Chhetri N, Huang YL, Pei KJC, Wu HY. A RETROSPECTIVE STUDY OF PATHOLOGICAL FINDINGS IN ENDANGERED FORMOSAN PANGOLINS (MANIS PENTADACTYLA PENTADACTYLA) FROM SOUTHEASTERN TAIWAN. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2017. [DOI: 10.1142/s1682648515500316] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Formosan pangolin, a sub-species of Chinese pangolin is a critically endangered insectivorous mammal found only in Taiwan. Pathological studies are helpful in the diagnosis and investigation of wildlife diseases. Pathological findings in pangolins have not been well documented. The present paper reports the pathological findings of 14 free-ranging Formosan pangolins. External injuries and superficial wounds (6/14) were common finding in gross examination and were mostly found in the legs. Respiratory system (78%, 11/14) lesions included interstitial pneumonia, atelectasis and emphysema. Hepatic changes (43%, 6/14) included necrosis, bile duct hyperplasia, lipidosis and extensive hepatocyte degeneration. Parasites were detected in 57% of pangolins (8/14) studied and included both endoparasites and ectoparasites. Urinary system (21%, 3/14) lesions were interstitial nephritis and nephrolithiasis. Brain lesions were found in three pangolins and included cerebral edema and hemorrhage and ventriculitis. Additional pathological lesions included thyroid gland hyperplasia and left ventricular hypertrophy. The presented pathological findings can aid in the understanding of diseases of pangolins and will contribute knowledge to future investigations on diseases of pangolins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rupak Khatri-Chhetri
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, National Pingtung University of Science and Technology, 1, Shuefu Road, Neipu, Pingtung 91201, Taiwan
| | - Tsung-Chou Chang
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, National Pingtung University of Science and Technology, 1, Shuefu Road, Neipu, Pingtung 91201, Taiwan
| | - Nabin Khatri-Chhetri
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, National Pingtung University of Science and Technology, 1, Shuefu Road, Neipu, Pingtung 91201, Taiwan
| | - Yen-Li Huang
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, National Pingtung University of Science and Technology, 1, Shuefu Road, Neipu, Pingtung 91201, Taiwan
| | - Kurtis Jai-Chyi Pei
- Institute of Wildlife Conservation, College of Veterinary Medicine, National Pingtung University of Science and Technology, Taiwan
- Pingtung Rescue Centre for Endangered Wild Animals, National Pingtung University of Science and Technology, Taiwan
- Department of Natural Resources & Environmental Studies, College of Environmental Studies, National Dong Hwa University, Taiwan
| | - Hung-Yi Wu
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, National Pingtung University of Science and Technology, 1, Shuefu Road, Neipu, Pingtung 91201, Taiwan
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Hermosilla C, Kleinertz S, Silva LMR, Hirzmann J, Huber D, Kusak J, Taubert A. Protozoan and helminth parasite fauna of free-living Croatian wild wolves (Canis lupus) analyzed by scat collection. Vet Parasitol 2016; 233:14-19. [PMID: 28043382 DOI: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2016.11.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2016] [Revised: 11/08/2016] [Accepted: 11/10/2016] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
The European wolf (Canis lupus) is a large carnivore species present in limited areas of Europe with several small populations still being considered as endangered. Wolves can be infected by a wide range of protozoan and metazoan parasites with some of them affecting free-living wolf health condition. On this account, an epidemiological survey was conducted to analyze the actual parasite fauna in Croatian wild wolves. In total, 400 individual faecal samples were collected during field studies on wolf ecology in the years 2002-2011. Parasite stages were identified by the sodium acetate acetic acid formalin (SAF)-technique, carbolfuchsin-stained faecal smears and Giardia/Cryptosporidium coproantigen-ELISAs. A subset of taeniid eggs-positive wolf samples was additionally analyzed by PCR and subsequent sequencing to identify eggs on Echinococcus granulosus/E. multilocularis species level. In total 18 taxa of parasites were here detected. Sarcocystis spp. (19.1%) occurred most frequently in faecal samples, being followed by Capillaria spp. (16%), ancylostomatids (13.1%), Crenosoma vulpis (4.6%), Angiostrongylus vasorum (3.1%), Toxocara canis (2.8%), Hammondia/Neospora spp. (2.6 %), Cystoisospora ohioensis (2.1%), Giardia spp. (2.1%), Cystoisospora canis (1.8%), Cryptosporidium spp. (1.8%), Trichuris vulpis (1.5%), Taenia spp. (1.5%), Diphyllobothrium latum (1.5%), Strongyloides spp. (0.5%), Opisthorchis felineus (0.5%), Toxascaris leonina (0.3%), Mesocestoides litteratus (0.3%) and Alaria alata (0.3%). Some of the here identified parasites represent relevant pathogens for wolves, circulating between these carnivorous definitive hosts and a variety of mammalian intermediate hosts, e. g. Taenia spp. and Sarcocystis spp., while others are considered exclusively pathogenic for canids (e.g. A. vasorum, C. vulpis, T. vulpis, Cystoisospora spp.). This study provides first records on the occurrence of the two relevant anthropozoonotic parasites, Giardia spp. and Cryptosporidium spp., in wild wolves from Croatia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlos Hermosilla
- Institute of Parasitology, Justus Liebig University Giessen, 35392 Giessen, Germany.
| | - Sonja Kleinertz
- Institute of Parasitology, Justus Liebig University Giessen, 35392 Giessen, Germany
| | - Liliana M R Silva
- Institute of Parasitology, Justus Liebig University Giessen, 35392 Giessen, Germany
| | - Jörg Hirzmann
- Institute of Parasitology, Justus Liebig University Giessen, 35392 Giessen, Germany
| | - Djuro Huber
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Josip Kusak
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Anja Taubert
- Institute of Parasitology, Justus Liebig University Giessen, 35392 Giessen, Germany
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Fuchs B, Zimmermann B, Wabakken P, Bornstein S, Månsson J, Evans AL, Liberg O, Sand H, Kindberg J, Ågren EO, Arnemo JM. Sarcoptic mange in the Scandinavian wolf Canis lupus population. BMC Vet Res 2016; 12:156. [PMID: 27459965 PMCID: PMC4962404 DOI: 10.1186/s12917-016-0780-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2015] [Accepted: 07/20/2016] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Sarcoptic mange, a parasitic disease caused by the mite Sarcoptes scabiei, is regularly reported on wolves Canis lupus in Scandinavia. We describe the distribution and transmission of this parasite within the small but recovering wolf population by analysing 269 necropsy reports and performing a serological survey on 198 serum samples collected from free-ranging wolves between 1998 and 2013. RESULTS The serological survey among 145 individual captured Scandinavian wolves (53 recaptures) shows a consistent presence of antibodies against sarcoptic mange. Seropositivity among all captured wolves was 10.1 % (CI. 6.4 %-15.1 %). Sarcoptic mange-related mortality reported at necropsy was 5.6 % and due to secondary causes, predominantly starvation. In the southern range of the population, seroprevalence was higher, consistent with higher red fox densities. Female wolves had a lower probability of being seropositive than males, but for both sexes the probability increased with pack size. Recaptured individuals changing from seropositive to seronegative suggest recovery from sarcoptic mange. The lack of seropositive pups (8-10 months, N = 56) and the occurrence of seropositive and seronegative individuals in the same pack indicates interspecific transmission of S. scabiei into this wolf population. CONCLUSIONS We consider sarcoptic mange to have little effect on the recovery of the Scandinavian wolf population. Heterogenic infection patterns on the pack level in combination with the importance of individual-based factors (sex, pack size) and the north-south gradient for seroprevalence suggests low probability of wolf-to-wolf transmission of S. scabiei in Scandinavia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Boris Fuchs
- Faculty of Applied Ecology and Agricultural Sciences, Hedmark University College, Campus Evenstad, N-2480 Koppang, Norway
| | - Barbara Zimmermann
- Faculty of Applied Ecology and Agricultural Sciences, Hedmark University College, Campus Evenstad, N-2480 Koppang, Norway
| | - Petter Wabakken
- Faculty of Applied Ecology and Agricultural Sciences, Hedmark University College, Campus Evenstad, N-2480 Koppang, Norway
| | - Set Bornstein
- Department of Virology, Immunobiology and Parasitology, National Veterinary Institute, SE-75189 Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Johan Månsson
- Department of Ecology, Grimsö Wildlife Research Station, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, SE-73091 Riddarhyttan, Sweden
| | - Alina L. Evans
- Faculty of Applied Ecology and Agricultural Sciences, Hedmark University College, Campus Evenstad, N-2480 Koppang, Norway
| | - Olof Liberg
- Department of Ecology, Grimsö Wildlife Research Station, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, SE-73091 Riddarhyttan, Sweden
| | - Håkan Sand
- Department of Ecology, Grimsö Wildlife Research Station, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, SE-73091 Riddarhyttan, Sweden
| | - Jonas Kindberg
- Department of Wildlife, Fish and Environmental Studies, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, SE-90183 Umeå, Sweden
| | - Erik O. Ågren
- Department of Pathology and Wildlife Disease, National Veterinary Institute, SE-75189 Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Jon M. Arnemo
- Faculty of Applied Ecology and Agricultural Sciences, Hedmark University College, Campus Evenstad, N-2480 Koppang, Norway
- Department of Wildlife, Fish and Environmental Studies, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, SE-90183 Umeå, Sweden
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Murray MH, Hill J, Whyte P, St Clair CC. Urban Compost Attracts Coyotes, Contains Toxins, and may Promote Disease in Urban-Adapted Wildlife. ECOHEALTH 2016; 13:285-292. [PMID: 27106524 DOI: 10.1007/s10393-016-1105-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2015] [Revised: 01/29/2016] [Accepted: 02/04/2016] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
Anthropogenic food is often concentrated in cities where it can attract wildlife, promote conflict with people, and potentially spread disease. Although these associations are well-documented for conventional garbage, they are unexplored for many seemingly innocuous and even environmentally friendly attractants such as piles of compost. In this study, we tested the hypothesis that municipal piles of compost are underappreciated and potentially important contributors to a recent rise in encounters with urban-adapted wildlife by attracting wildlife and promoting the spread of wildlife disease. We used remote cameras to compare visitation rates to compost piles and urban natural areas by coyotes (Canis latrans). For each site type, we assessed photographs for evidence of ectoparasites, screened scats for endoparasites, and sampled compost for harmful mycotoxins. At compost piles, visitation rates were eight times more frequent, coyotes with visible parasitic infections were 4.5 times more common, scats were 10 times more likely to contain tapeworm eggs, and mycotoxins were detected in 86% of piles and often at concentrations higher than legal limits for animal feed. Greater securement of compost waste in cities may reduce encounters with animals, susceptibility to and spread of disease, and rates of human-wildlife conflict for coyotes and other urban-adapted species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maureen H Murray
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada.
| | - Jesse Hill
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - Peter Whyte
- Department of Biological Sciences, MacEwan University, Edmonton, AB, Canada
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Evaluation of a Commercial ELISA for the Detection of Antibodies to Sarcoptes scabiei in Wild Boar (Sus scrofa). J Wildl Dis 2016; 51:729-33. [PMID: 26161723 DOI: 10.7589/2014-09-222] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Sarcoptic mange occurs in free-ranging wild boar (Sus scrofa) but has been poorly described in this species. We evaluated the performance of a commercial indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for serodiagnosis of sarcoptic mange in domestic swine when applied to wild boar sera. We tested 96 sera from wild boar in populations without mange history ("truly noninfected") collected in Switzerland between December 2012 and February 2014, and 141 sera from free-ranging wild boar presenting mange-like lesions, including 50 live animals captured and sampled multiple times in France between May and August 2006 and three cases submitted to necropsy in Switzerland between April 2010 and February 2014. Mite infestation was confirmed by skin scraping in 20 of them ("truly infected"). We defined sensitivity of the test as the proportion of truly infected that were found ELISA-positive, and specificity as the proportion of truly noninfected that were found negative. Sensitivity and specificity were 75% and 80%, respectively. Success of antibody detection increased with the chronicity of lesions, and seroconversion was documented in 19 of 27 wild boar sampled multiple times that were initially negative or doubtful. In conclusion, the evaluated ELISA has been successfully applied to wild boar sera. It appears to be unreliable for early detection in individual animals but may represent a useful tool for population surveys.
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Sarcoptes scabiei: The Mange Mite with Mighty Effects on the Common Wombat (Vombatus ursinus). PLoS One 2016; 11:e0149749. [PMID: 26943790 PMCID: PMC4778766 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0149749] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2015] [Accepted: 02/04/2016] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Parasitism has both direct and indirect effects on hosts. Indirect effects (such as behavioural changes) may be common, although are often poorly described. This study examined sarcoptic mange (caused by the mite Sarcoptes scabiei) in the common wombat (Vombatus ursinus), a species that shows severe symptoms of infection and often causes mortality. Wombats showed alterations to above ground behaviours associated with mange. Infected wombats were shown to be active outside of the burrow for longer than healthy individuals. Additionally, they spent more time scratching and drinking, and less time walking as a proportion of time spent above ground when compared with healthy individuals. They did not spend a higher proportion of time feeding, but did have a slower feeding rate and were in poorer body condition. Thermal images showed that wombats with mange lost considerably more heat to the environment due to a diminished insulation layer. Infection status did not have an effect on burrow emergence time, although this was strongly dependent on maximum daily temperature. This study, through the most detailed behavioural observations of wombats to date, contributes to a broader understanding of how mange affects wombat health and abundance, and also to our understanding of the evolution of host responses to this parasite. Despite being globally dispersed and impacting over 100 species with diverse intrinsic host traits, the effects of mange on hosts are relatively poorly understood, and it is possible that similar effects of this disease are conserved in other host species. The indirect effects that we observed may extend to other pathogen types.
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40
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Morrill A, Forbes MR. Aggregation of Infective Stages of Parasites as an Adaptation and Its Implications for the Study of Parasite-Host Interactions. Am Nat 2016; 187:225-35. [DOI: 10.1086/684508] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
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41
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Lledó L, Giménez-Pardo C, Saz JV, Serrano JL. Wild Red Foxes (Vulpes vulpes) as Sentinels of Parasitic Diseases in the Province of Soria, Northern Spain. Vector Borne Zoonotic Dis 2015; 15:743-9. [PMID: 26565688 DOI: 10.1089/vbz.2014.1766] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Four hundred red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) were examined for ecto- (arthropods) and endoparasites (Leishmania spp., Trichinella spp., and intestinal parasites). Different species of flea (total prevalence, 40.50%), tick (16.25%), mite (7.25%), and fly (1.50%) were identified. The most prevalent flea was Pulex irritans (found on 29% of the foxes); the most prevalent tick, mite, and fly were Ixodes canisuga (on 5%), Sarcoptes scabiei (on 5.25%), and Hippobosca equina (on 1%), respectively. The endoparasites identified included Leishmania spp. (found in 12% of the foxes), Trichinella spp. (in 15.5%, with T. britovi the most prevalent species in 15.25%), Cestoda (in 72.75%, with Mesocestoides spp. the most prevalent in 69.50%), and intestinal ascarids (in 73.25%, with Ancylostoma caninum the most prevalent in 12.50%). No animal was free of parasites. The present results suggest that foxes can act as sentinels of diseases transmitted by ecto- and endoparasites.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lourdes Lledó
- 1 Department of Biomedicine and Biotechnology, Alcalá University , Alcalá de Henares, Madrid, Spain
| | - Consuelo Giménez-Pardo
- 1 Department of Biomedicine and Biotechnology, Alcalá University , Alcalá de Henares, Madrid, Spain
| | - José Vicente Saz
- 1 Department of Biomedicine and Biotechnology, Alcalá University , Alcalá de Henares, Madrid, Spain
| | - José Luis Serrano
- 2 Territorial Health and Social Welfare Service of the Junta de Castilla y León , Soria, Spain
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Oleaga A, Vicente J, Ferroglio E, Pegoraro de Macedo M, Casais R, del Cerro A, Espí A, García E, Gortázar C. Concomitance and interactions of pathogens in the Iberian wolf (Canis lupus). Res Vet Sci 2015; 101:22-7. [DOI: 10.1016/j.rvsc.2015.05.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2013] [Revised: 04/11/2015] [Accepted: 05/15/2015] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
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Evaluation of a Commercial ELISA for the Detection of Antibodies to Sarcoptes scabieiin Wild Boar ( Sus scrofa). J Wildl Dis 2015. [DOI: 10.7589/2014-09-222r] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
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Alasaad S, Sarasa M, Heukelbach J, Mijele D, Soriguer RC, Zhu XQ, Rossi L. Advances in studies of disease-navigating webs: Sarcoptes scabiei as a case study. Parasit Vectors 2014; 7:16. [PMID: 24406101 PMCID: PMC3895661 DOI: 10.1186/1756-3305-7-16] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2013] [Accepted: 01/02/2014] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The discipline of epidemiology is the study of the patterns, causes and effects of health and disease conditions in defined anima populations. It is the key to evidence-based medicine, which is one of the cornerstones of public health. One of the important facets of epidemiology is disease-navigating webs (disease-NW) through which zoonotic and multi-host parasites in general move from one host to another. Epidemiology in this context includes (i) classical epidemiological approaches based on the statistical analysis of disease prevalence and distribution and, more recently, (ii) genetic approaches with approximations of disease-agent population genetics. Both approaches, classical epidemiology and population genetics, are useful for studying disease-NW. However, both have strengths and weaknesses when applied separately, which, unfortunately, is too often current practice. In this paper, we use Sarcoptes scabiei mite epidemiology as a case study to show how important an integrated approach can be in understanding disease-NW and subsequent disease control.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samer Alasaad
- Estación Biológica de Doñana, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), Avda, Américo Vespucio s/n 41092, Sevilla, Spain.
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Kołodziej-Sobocińska M, Zalewski A, Kowalczyk R. Sarcoptic mange vulnerability in carnivores of the Białowieża Primeval Forest, Poland: underlying determinant factors. Ecol Res 2013. [DOI: 10.1007/s11284-013-1118-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
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Eleni C, De Liberato C, Azam D, Morgan ER, Traversa D. Angiostrongylus vasorum in wolves in Italy. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL FOR PARASITOLOGY-PARASITES AND WILDLIFE 2013; 3:12-4. [PMID: 24918072 PMCID: PMC4047958 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijppaw.2013.10.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2012] [Revised: 10/28/2013] [Accepted: 10/29/2013] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Nematodes found in dead wolves in Rome province, Italy, were confirmed to be Angiostrongylus vasorum. Molecular evidence further showed homology with lungworm larvae in sympatric dogs. It is not known whether wolves represent ancentral hosts or are subject to more recent spill-over from dogs and foxes. The parasite is pathogenic, emerging, and should be borne in mind in wolf conservation programmes in endemic areas.
In the past decade, the parasitic nematode Angiostrongylus vasorum has attracted attention for its emergence in previously free areas and for the rise in clinical cases in domestic dogs. Italy is regarded as one of the countries where this potentially life-threatening parasite is spreading, especially due to bridging infections between wildlife and domestic dogs. The present article describes the presence of A. vasorum in wolves from Italy. Nematodes were observed in histological sections of three wolves found dead in Rome province, central Italy. Morphological and molecular identification of the nematodes, by polymerase chain reaction of rDNA ITS-2 and sequencing, confirmed the nematodes to be A. vasorum, with 99% genetic homology with A. vasorum from sympatric dogs. This is the second report of this species in wolves and the first in this host in Italy, and coincides with increasing records of A. vasorum in dogs and foxes in Italy. Implications for the epidemiology of this emerging parasite and for wildlife health are concisely discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudia Eleni
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale delle Regioni Lazio e Toscana, Italy
| | | | - Dena Azam
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Bristol, UK
| | - Eric R Morgan
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Bristol, UK
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Ryser-Degiorgis MP. Wildlife health investigations: needs, challenges and recommendations. BMC Vet Res 2013; 9:223. [PMID: 24188616 PMCID: PMC4228302 DOI: 10.1186/1746-6148-9-223] [Citation(s) in RCA: 117] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2013] [Accepted: 10/30/2013] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
In a fast changing world with growing concerns about biodiversity loss and an increasing number of animal and human diseases emerging from wildlife, the need for effective wildlife health investigations including both surveillance and research is now widely recognized. However, procedures applicable to and knowledge acquired from studies related to domestic animal and human health can be on partly extrapolated to wildlife. This article identifies requirements and challenges inherent in wildlife health investigations, reviews important definitions and novel health investigation methods, and proposes tools and strategies for effective wildlife health surveillance programs. Impediments to wildlife health investigations are largely related to zoological, behavioral and ecological characteristics of wildlife populations and to limited access to investigation materials. These concerns should not be viewed as insurmountable but it is imperative that they are considered in study design, data analysis and result interpretation. It is particularly crucial to remember that health surveillance does not begin in the laboratory but in the fields. In this context, participatory approaches and mutual respect are essential. Furthermore, interdisciplinarity and open minds are necessary because a wide range of tools and knowledge from different fields need to be integrated in wildlife health surveillance and research. The identification of factors contributing to disease emergence requires the comparison of health and ecological data over time and among geographical regions. Finally, there is a need for the development and validation of diagnostic tests for wildlife species and for data on free-ranging population densities. Training of health professionals in wildlife diseases should also be improved. Overall, the article particularly emphasizes five needs of wildlife health investigations: communication and collaboration; use of synergies and triangulation approaches; investments for the long term; systematic collection of metadata; and harmonization of definitions and methods.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marie-Pierre Ryser-Degiorgis
- Centre for Fish and Wildlife Health, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Postfach 8466, CH-3001 Bern, Switzerland.
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Genetic epidemiology of Sarcoptes scabiei in the Iberian wolf in Asturias, Spain. Vet Parasitol 2013; 196:453-9. [DOI: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2013.04.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2012] [Revised: 04/09/2013] [Accepted: 04/11/2013] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
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Head JS, Boesch C, Robbins MM, Rabanal LI, Makaga L, Kühl HS. Effective sociodemographic population assessment of elusive species in ecology and conservation management. Ecol Evol 2013; 3:2903-16. [PMID: 24101982 PMCID: PMC3790539 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.670] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2013] [Revised: 05/27/2013] [Accepted: 06/07/2013] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Wildlife managers are urgently searching for improved sociodemographic population assessment methods to evaluate the effectiveness of implemented conservation activities. These need to be inexpensive, appropriate for a wide spectrum of species and straightforward to apply by local staff members with minimal training. Furthermore, conservation management would benefit from single approaches which cover many aspects of population assessment beyond only density estimates, to include for instance social and demographic structure, movement patterns, or species interactions. Remote camera traps have traditionally been used to measure species richness. Currently, there is a rapid move toward using remote camera trapping in density estimation, community ecology, and conservation management. Here, we demonstrate such comprehensive population assessment by linking remote video trapping, spatially explicit capture-recapture (SECR) techniques, and other methods. We apply it to three species: chimpanzees Pan troglodytes troglodytes, gorillas Gorilla gorilla gorilla, and forest elephants Loxodonta cyclotis in Loango National Park, Gabon. All three species exhibited considerable heterogeneity in capture probability at the sex or group level and density was estimated at 1.72, 1.2, and 1.37 individuals per km(2) and male to female sex ratios were 1:2.1, 1:3.2, and 1:2 for chimpanzees, gorillas, and elephants, respectively. Association patterns revealed four, eight, and 18 independent social groups of chimpanzees, gorillas, and elephants, respectively: key information for both conservation management and studies on the species' ecology. Additionally, there was evidence of resident and nonresident elephants within the study area and intersexual variation in home range size among elephants but not chimpanzees. Our study highlights the potential of combining camera trapping and SECR methods in conducting detailed population assessments that go far beyond documenting species diversity patterns or estimating single species population size. Our study design is widely applicable to other species and spatial scales, and moderately trained staff members can collect and process the required data. Furthermore, assessments using the same method can be extended to include several other ecological, behavioral, and demographic aspects: fission and fusion dynamics and intergroup transfers, birth and mortality rates, species interactions, and ranging patterns.
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Affiliation(s)
- Josephine S Head
- Department of Primatology, Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology Deutscher Platz 6, 04103, Leipzig, Germany
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Variable performance of a human derived Sarcoptes scabiei recombinant antigen ELISA in swine mange diagnosis. Vet Parasitol 2013; 197:397-403. [PMID: 23683576 DOI: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2013.04.030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2013] [Revised: 04/17/2013] [Accepted: 04/21/2013] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
The performance of an indirect ELISA test based on Sarcoptes scabiei var hominis recombinant antigen Ssλ20ΔB3 (rec-ELISA), to diagnose pig mange was investigated in 15 experimentally infected and non-infected pigs and 692 commercial pigs from 16 herds in southeast Spain. These latter animals included 6-7 month old fatteners (13 herds), 11-12 month old replacement sows (1 herd) and ≥24 month old breeding sows (7 herds). All pigs were examined for mites in ear skin scrapings and the presence of S. scabiei-associated macroscopic dermatitis; moreover, fatteners were also tested for antibodies against porcine viruses including: Aujeszky disease virus (ADV), swine influenza virus (SIV), type 2 porcine circovirus (PCV2) and porcine respiratory and reproductive syndrome virus (PRRSV). S. scabiei and chronic hyperkeratotic dermatitis were detected in breeding sows from 6 herds. Mite prevalence in other pigs was 83% in replacement sows, 0% in 7 fattener's herds and 3-82% in other fattener's herds. All fattener herds had pigs with acute hypersensitivity dermatitis and the percentage of affected pigs and lesion area was significantly greater in S. scabiei infected ones. Rec-ELISA relative optical densities (RODs) were greater in older than in young pigs, as well as in infected compared to non-infected pigs. However, RODs differed significantly between infected individuals, regardless of age and origin (commercial or experimental) and the herd prevalence of S. scabiei. Low repeatability between ELISA microtiter plates, suggesting variable specific antibody binding to antigen, are likely partly responsible for ROD variation. Other potential causes of variation were examined in fatteners using random effects logistic regression analysis, after defining a seropositivity threshold value with receiver-operating characteristics (ROC) analysis. The logistic model indicated that seropositivity was associated with large dermatitis areas and with the only herd with low PCV2 seroprevalence. Pigs with more extensive dermatitis may have older infections and more rec-ELISA detectable antibodies. The possibility that PCV2, a recognized immunosupressor, depresses antibody production against S. scabiei infection merits further attention. In summary, results indicate some potential of the studied rec-ELISA as a complementary tool for herd-level swine mange diagnosis, and that work to reduce internal and external sources of assay variation is essential.
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