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Warburton B, Eason C, Fisher P, Hancox N, Hopkins B, Nugent G, Ogilvie S, Prowse TAA, Ross J, Cowan PE. Alternatives for mammal pest control in New Zealand in the context of concerns about 1080 toxicant (sodium fluoroacetate). NEW ZEALAND JOURNAL OF ZOOLOGY 2021. [DOI: 10.1080/03014223.2021.1977345] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | - Charles Eason
- Lincoln University, Department of Pest Management and Conservation, Lincoln, New Zealand
| | - Penny Fisher
- Manaaki Whenua – Landcare Research, Lincoln, New Zealand
| | | | - Brian Hopkins
- Manaaki Whenua – Landcare Research, Lincoln, New Zealand
| | - Graham Nugent
- Manaaki Whenua – Landcare Research, Lincoln, New Zealand
| | - Shaun Ogilvie
- Eco Research Associates Ltd, Christchurch, New Zealand
| | | | - James Ross
- Lincoln University, Department of Pest Management and Conservation, Lincoln, New Zealand
| | - Phil E. Cowan
- Manaaki Whenua – Landcare Research, Lincoln, New Zealand
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Hu G, Do DN, Gray J, Miar Y. Selection for Favorable Health Traits: A Potential Approach to Cope with Diseases in Farm Animals. Animals (Basel) 2020; 10:E1717. [PMID: 32971980 PMCID: PMC7552752 DOI: 10.3390/ani10091717] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2020] [Accepted: 09/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Disease is a global problem for animal farming industries causing tremendous economic losses (>USD 220 billion over the last decade) and serious animal welfare issues. The limitations and deficiencies of current non-selection disease control methods (e.g., vaccination, treatment, eradication strategy, genome editing, and probiotics) make it difficult to effectively, economically, and permanently eliminate the adverse influences of disease in the farm animals. These limitations and deficiencies drive animal breeders to be more concerned and committed to dealing with health problems in farm animals by selecting animals with favorable health traits. Both genetic selection and genomic selection contribute to improving the health of farm animals by selecting certain health traits (e.g., disease tolerance, disease resistance, and immune response), although both of them face some challenges. The objective of this review was to comprehensively review the potential of selecting health traits in coping with issues caused by diseases in farm animals. Within this review, we highlighted that selecting health traits can be applied as a method of disease control to help animal agriculture industries to cope with the adverse influences caused by diseases in farm animals. Certainly, the genetic/genomic selection solution cannot solve all the disease problems in farm animals. Therefore, management, vaccination, culling, medical treatment, and other measures must accompany selection solution to reduce the adverse impact of farm animal diseases on profitability and animal welfare.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Younes Miar
- Department of Animal Science and Aquaculture, Dalhousie University, Truro, NS B2N 5E3, Canada; (G.H.); (D.N.D.); (J.G.)
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First report of Euryhelmis parasites (Trematoda, Heterophyidae) in Africa: conservation implications for endemic amphibians. Parasitol Res 2018; 117:2569-2576. [PMID: 29860574 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-018-5946-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2018] [Accepted: 05/24/2018] [Indexed: 10/14/2022]
Abstract
In this study, we report, through molecular identification, the first African records of a digenean trematode parasite of the genus Euryhelmis. We recovered metacercariae encysted in an anuran, the endemic Moroccan painted frog (Discoglossus scovazzi), and a vulnerable caudate, the North African fire salamander (Salamandra algira), from four localities in North Africa (Morocco). Our records go back to the past century and have been confirmed in successive fieldwork seasons thereafter. Metacercarial stages of these parasites require amphibians as the last intermediate host, but the exact identity of the primary hosts and predators of the infected animals in Africa remain unknown. Our searches with basic local alignment search tool (BLAST) from Genbank revealed that hosts were infected by parasites of Euryhelmis costaricensis, which showed almost the same genetic identity (with only one substitution) to previous reports from Costa Rica and Japan, suggesting a recent introduction in Morocco. We proceed to discuss the likely role of introduced mustelids as the potential definitive hosts of trematode adults. Under this assumption, we conclude that the infestation of Discoglossus scovazzi and Salamandra algira might pose a risk to these threatened species.
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Martino PE, Samartino LE, Stanchi NO, Radman NE, Parrado EJ. Serology and protein electrophoresis for evidence of exposure to 12 mink pathogens in free-ranging American mink (Neovison vison) in Argentina. Vet Q 2017. [PMID: 28635524 DOI: 10.1080/01652176.2017.1336810] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Basic pathologic characteristics for farmed minks were previously reported worldwide. However, its status in the wild has not been studied in detail. OBJECTIVE Serology and electrophoresis were carried out for evidence of exposure to 12 mink pathogens on two different locations. ANIMALS AND METHODS Serology was done in 87 wild minks by reference techniques against Toxoplasma gondii, Encephalitozoon cuniculi, Neospora caninum, Brucella abortus, Mycobacterium bovis, Leptospira interrogans, canine distemper virus (CDV), canine adenovirus (CAV), canine parvovirus (CPV), rabies virus (RV), Influenza A virus (FLUAV) and Aleutian disease virus (ADV). Hypergammaglobulinemia, the ADV main clinical feature, was determined by conventional electrophoresis. RESULTS Seventy-one percent of the 87 sera had antibodies against one or more pathogens. ADV accounted for the highest seroprevalence (29%), followed by T. gondii (26%), L. interrogans (14%), M. bovis (12%), B. abortus (9%), N. caninum (3%), CPV (3%) and CDV (2%). Seroprevalence was influenced by location but not sex or age. Additionally, 16% of the seropositive samples for ADV had gammaglobulin levels >40.0 g/L. Antibody titers for CDV and CPV were low and difficult to interpret as almost all these cases had borderline concentrations. CONCLUSION A cautious interpretation of the results is urged as the epidemiological role of the wild mink is largely unexplored for most of these agents. Nevertheless, the information may be clinically relevant..
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Affiliation(s)
- Pablo Eduardo Martino
- a Department of Parasitology and Microbiology-CIC, Veterinary College , University of La Plata , La Plata , Argentina
| | - Luis Ernesto Samartino
- b Pathobiology Department , National Institute of Technology (INTA) , Buenos Aires , Argentina
| | - Néstor Oscar Stanchi
- a Department of Parasitology and Microbiology-CIC, Veterinary College , University of La Plata , La Plata , Argentina
| | - Nilda Esther Radman
- a Department of Parasitology and Microbiology-CIC, Veterinary College , University of La Plata , La Plata , Argentina
| | - Eduardo Joaquín Parrado
- c Department of fowl and furbearing animals , National Animal Sanitary Service (SENASA) , Buenos Aires , Argentina
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Szekeres S, Majláthová V, Majláth I, Földvári G. 8. Neglected hosts: the role of lacertid lizards and medium-sized mammals in the ecoepidemiology of Lyme borreliosis. ECOLOGY AND CONTROL OF VECTOR-BORNE DISEASES 2016. [DOI: 10.3920/978-90-8686-838-4_8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Sándor Szekeres
- Department of Parasitology and Zoology, University of Veterinary Medicine, 2 István str. 1078 Budapest, Hungary
| | | | - Igor Majláth
- University of P.J. Šafárik, Faculty of Science, Institute of Biology and Ecology, Šrobárova 2, 041 54 Košice, Slovakia
| | - Gábor Földvári
- Department of Parasitology and Zoology, University of Veterinary Medicine, 2 István str. 1078 Budapest, Hungary
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Park NY, Lee MC, Kurkure NV, Cho HS. Canine Adenovirus Type 1 Infection of a Eurasian River Otter (Lutra lutra). Vet Pathol 2016; 44:536-9. [PMID: 17606519 DOI: 10.1354/vp.44-4-536] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
A 10-year-old female Eurasian river otter ( Lutra lutra) died after prolonged anorexia and weight loss in the Seoul Grand Park Zoo, Seoul, Republic of Korea. On necropsy, the liver was found to be swollen and friable with 1 lobe enlarged and necrotic. The other organs showed no significant alterations except for mild atrophy of the right kidney. Microscopically, there was multifocal hepatic necrosis. The hepatocytes around the necrotic areas were swollen and contained large basophilic intranuclear inclusions. Periportal infiltration by plasma cells and lymphocytes was also evident. Transmission electron microscopy revealed characteristic hexagonal virus particles sized approximately 70 nm in diameter in the nuclei of the hepatocytes, which were consistent with an adenovirus. Polymerase chain reaction of the formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded liver sections was used to determine whether the virus was either the canine adenovirus type 1 (CAV-1), canine adenovirus type 2 (CAV-2), or some other viral agent. The results of these tests showed that the virus was CAV-1. To our knowledge, this is the first report on a CAV-1 infection in an otter.
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Affiliation(s)
- N Y Park
- Department of Veterinary Pathology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Chonnam National University, Gwangju 500-757, Republic of Korea
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Simpson VR, Tomlinson AJ, Stevenson K, McLuckie JA, Benavides J, Dagleish MP. A post-mortem study of respiratory disease in small mustelids in south-west England. BMC Vet Res 2016; 12:72. [PMID: 27052849 PMCID: PMC4823880 DOI: 10.1186/s12917-016-0693-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2015] [Accepted: 03/23/2016] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Stoat (Mustela erminea) and weasel (Mustela nivalis) populations in south-west England are declining whilst polecats (Mustela putorius), absent for over a century, are increasing. Little is known about the health status of these species nationally. This study aimed at investigating respiratory disease in specimens found dead in south-west England. Results Trauma caused by road traffic, predator attack or being trapped was the predominant cause of death in 42 stoats, 31 weasels and 20 polecats; most were in good physical condition. Skrjabingylus nasicola was present in all species (weasels 37 %, polecats 39 %, stoats 41 %) and infected animals showed no evidence of loss of body condition. Even in carcases stored frozen L1 larvae were frequently alive and highly motile. Angiostrongylus vasorum infection was diagnosed in two stoats and one weasel: in stoats infections were patent and the lung lesions were likely of clinical significance. These are believed to be the first records of A. vasorum in small mustelids. Pleuritis and pyothorax was seen in two polecats, in one case due to a migrating grass awn. Histological examination of lungs showed granulomata in stoats (38 %), weasels (52 %) and polecats (50 %). Spherules consistent with Emmonsia spp. adiaspores were present in the granulomata of stoats (60 %), weasels (36 %) and polecats (29 %). Adiaspore diameter in all three species was similar (means: stoats 39 μm, weasels 30 μm, polecats 36 μm); these are markedly smaller than that normally recorded for E. crescens. Although they lie within the accepted range for spores of Emmonsia parva this arid-zone species is not found in Britain, thus raising a question over the identity of the fungus. Cases showing numerous granulomata but few or no adiaspores were Ziehl-Neelsen-stain negative for acid-fast bacilli and IHC negative for Mycobacterium spp. However, in some cases PCR analyses revealed mycobacteria, including Mycobacterium kumamotonense and Mycobacterium avium Complex. One stoat had numerous unidentified small organisms present centrally within granulomata. Conclusions Stoats, weasels and polecats in south-west England share several respiratory diseases, often of high prevalence, but the pathology would appear insufficient to impact on the health status of the populations and other ultimate causes of death should be investigated when examining these species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Victor R Simpson
- Wildlife Veterinary Investigation Centre, Chacewater, Truro, Cornwall, TR4 8 PB, UK.
| | | | - Karen Stevenson
- Moredun Research Institute, Pentlands Science Park, Bush Loan, Edinburgh, Midlothian, EH26 0PZ, UK
| | - Joyce A McLuckie
- Moredun Research Institute, Pentlands Science Park, Bush Loan, Edinburgh, Midlothian, EH26 0PZ, UK
| | - Julio Benavides
- Instituto de Ganaderia de Montaña (CSIC-ULE), Grulleros, León, 24346, Spain
| | - Mark P Dagleish
- Moredun Research Institute, Pentlands Science Park, Bush Loan, Edinburgh, Midlothian, EH26 0PZ, UK
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Aleutian mink disease virus in striped skunks (Mephitis mephitis): evidence for cross-species spillover. J Wildl Dis 2015; 51:389-400. [PMID: 25647590 DOI: 10.7589/2014-05-141] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Aleutian mink disease virus (AMDV) causes a parvovirus infection, initially characterized in American mink (Neovison vison), that may have harmful effects on wild populations of susceptible animals. In North America, where American mink are native, the origin, host range, and prevalence of AMDV in wild species is not clear. We studied striped skunks (Mephitis mephitis) and raccoons (Procyon lotor) to determine whether species sympatric with mink are potential reservoirs in the transmission of AMDV to wild mink and mink farms. Antibodies to AMDV were detected in 41% of skunk serum samples (143/347) and AMDV nucleic acids were detected in 32% (14/40) of skunk spleen samples by PCR, indicating that AMDV exposure and infection were frequent in skunks. We detected no AMDV antibodies in 144 raccoon blood samples. Phylogenetic analysis revealed a newly identified AMDV haplogroup consisting of isolates from Ontario skunks and a free-ranging domestic mink from Ontario. Our findings of frequent AMDV infection in skunks, close genetic similarity between skunk and mink AMDV isolates, and evidence of AMDV transmission from skunks to mink support the hypothesis that skunks may be acting as alternative hosts and reservoirs of AMDV to wild mink through cross-species virus spillover.
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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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Gherman CM, Sándor AD, Kalmár Z, Marinov M, Mihalca AD. First report of Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato in two threatened carnivores: the marbled polecat, Vormela peregusna and the European mink, Mustela lutreola (Mammalia: Mustelidae). BMC Vet Res 2012; 8:137. [PMID: 22901862 PMCID: PMC3514366 DOI: 10.1186/1746-6148-8-137] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2012] [Accepted: 08/13/2012] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Lyme disease is a widespread cosmopolitan zoonosis caused by species belonging to the genus Borrelia. It is transmitted from animal reservoir hosts to humans through hard - ticks of genus Ixodes which are vectors of the disease. Case presentation Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato infection was identified in a marbled polecat, Vormela peregusna, and two European minks, Mustela lutreola, from Romania, by PCR. RFLP revealed the presence of a single genospecies, Borrelia burgdorferi sensu stricto. Conclusions This is the first report of the Lyme disease spirochetes in the two mentioned hosts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Călin M Gherman
- Department of Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Calea Mănăștur 3-5, Cluj-Napoca, 400372, Romania
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McDonald RA, Birtles RJ, McCracken C, Day MJ. Histological and serological evidence of disease among invasive, non-native stoats Mustela erminea. Vet J 2007; 175:403-8. [PMID: 17434325 PMCID: PMC7110800 DOI: 10.1016/j.tvjl.2007.01.028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2006] [Revised: 01/09/2007] [Accepted: 01/31/2007] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Invasive, non-native species are a major threat to global biodiversity. Stoats were introduced from Britain to New Zealand in the 1880s and have since caused grave conservation problems. A histopathological and serological survey of disease and infection in stoats from New Zealand was undertaken to identify agents that might be used or modified to control this population. Of 60 stoats examined, 63% exhibited inflammation of the lung, mostly occurring as local or diffuse interstitial pneumonia, 30% showed signs of inflammatory liver disease and 14% were positive for antibodies reactive with feline calicivirus. In Britain only 11% of 44 stoats exhibited symptoms of pulmonary inflammatory disease, suggesting higher rates of infection or compromise of the pulmonary immune system among invasive stoats, possibly related to genetic founder effects or environmental variation. These findings could be exploited in biological control programmes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robbie A McDonald
- Quercus, School of Biological Sciences, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast, UK.
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Littin KE, Mellor DJ, Warburton B, Eason CT. Animal welfare and ethical issues relevant to the humane control of vertebrate pests. N Z Vet J 2005; 52:1-10. [PMID: 15768076 DOI: 10.1080/00480169.2004.36384] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
Vertebrate pests and pest control impact on people, animals and the environment, so any ethical consideration of vertebrate pest control must incorporate the interests of all three. The necessity of intervention, whether it involves killing animals or not, must be properly evaluated. Justification for pest control is only tenable if all of the negative impacts (harms) on people, animals and the environment are minimised and all of the positive impacts (benefits) are maximised as far as can be feasibly achieved. In all cases, the most humane control methods possible must be used; we must actively seek ways to improve the humaneness of existing methods and to find new methods that are more humane. There are six major principles that guide the design and execution of ethically sound vertebrate pest control programmes. (1) The aims or benefits and the harms of each control programme must be clear. (2) Control must only be undertaken if the aims can be achieved. (3) The methods that most effectively achieve the aims of the control programme must be used. (4) The methods must be applied in the best possible way. (5) Whether or not each control programme actually achieved its precise aim must be assessed. (6) Once the desired aims or benefits have been achieved, steps must be taken to maintain the beneficial state. An ideal pest control method would be effective and easy to use, affordable, safe for human users and for people exposed to it, humane, specific to the target species or individuals, and safe for the environment. Although such a gold standard is difficult to achieve, we can only retain ethical credibility if we conscientiously strive to make incremental improvements towards that gold standard.
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Affiliation(s)
- K E Littin
- Animal Welfare Science and Bioethics Centre, IFNHH, Massey University, Private Bag 11222, Palmerston North, New Zealand
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McDonald RA, Larivière S. Captive husbandry of stoatsMustela erminea. NEW ZEALAND JOURNAL OF ZOOLOGY 2002. [DOI: 10.1080/03014223.2002.9518301] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
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McDonald RA, Day MJ, Birtles RJ. Histological evidence of disease in wild stoats (Mustela erminea) in England. Vet Rec 2001; 149:671-5. [PMID: 11765324 DOI: 10.1136/vr.149.22.671] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
Forty-four free-living stoats were collected from five game estates in England and examined for evidence of disease. All the macroscopic lesions were attributable to the trauma associated with being trapped or shot. There were no significant microscopic lesions in 27 (61 per cent) of the stoats. There was evidence of nematode parasitism in the intestines of six stoats (14 per cent), and in the lungs of five stoats (11 per cent), and of pulmonary granulomatous inflammation or microgranulomas in five stoats. In two of the stoats, blood-filled cavities in the liver were suggestive of peliosis hepatis, possibly associated with infection by Bartonella species or with sublethal exposure to anticoagulant rodenticides.
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Affiliation(s)
- R A McDonald
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Bristol
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