1
|
Bernasconi DA, Miller ML, Hill JE, Gupta P, Chipman R, Gilbert AT, Rhodes OE, Dharmarajan G. RACCOONS (PROCYON LOTOR) SHOW HIGHER TRYPANOSOMA CRUZI DETECTION RATES THAN VIRGINIA OPOSSUMS (DIDELPHIS VIRGINIANA) IN SOUTH CAROLINA, USA. J Wildl Dis 2023; 59:673-683. [PMID: 37846907 DOI: 10.7589/jwd-d-22-00174] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2022] [Accepted: 05/01/2023] [Indexed: 10/18/2023]
Abstract
Chagas disease, a significant public health concern in the Americas, is caused by a protozoan parasite, Trypanosoma cruzi. The life cycle of T. cruzi involves kissing bugs (Triatoma spp.) functioning as vectors and mammalian species serving as hosts. Raccoons (Procyon lotor) and opossums (Didelphis virginiana) have been identified as important reservoir species in the life cycle of T. cruzi, but prevalence in both species in the southeastern US is currently understudied. We quantified T. cruzi prevalence in these two key reservoir species across our study area in South Carolina, US, and identified factors that may influence parasite detection. We collected whole blood from 183 raccoons and 126 opossums and used PCR to detect the presence of T. cruzi. We then used generalized linear models with parasite detection status as a binary response variable and predictor variables of land cover, distance to water, sex, season, and species. Our analysis indicated that raccoons experienced significantly higher parasite detection rates than Virginia opossums, with T. cruzi prevalence found to be 26.5% (95% confidence interval [CI], 20.0-33.8) in raccoons and 10.5% (95% CI, 5.51-17.5) in opossums. Overall, our results concur with previous studies, in that T. cruzi is established in reservoir host populations in natural areas of the southeastern US.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- David A Bernasconi
- Idaho Department of Fish and Game, 15950 North Gate Boulevard, Nampa, Idaho 83687, USA
| | - Madison L Miller
- Division of Sciences, School of Interwoven Arts and Sciences, Krea University, 5655 Central Expressway, Sri City, Andhra Pradesh 517646, India
| | - Jacob E Hill
- Savannah River Ecology Laboratory, University of Georgia, Building 737-A Aiken, South Carolina 29802, USA
| | - Pooja Gupta
- Utah Public Health Laboratory, Utah Department of Health and Human Services, 4431 South 2700 West, Taylorsville, Salt Lake City, Utah 84129, USA
| | - Richard Chipman
- National Rabies Management Program, US Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, Wildlife Services, 59 Chenell Drive, Suite 2, Concord, New Hampshire 03301, USA
| | - Amy T Gilbert
- National Wildlife Research Center, US Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, Wildlife Services, 4101 LaPorte Avenue, Fort Collins, Colorado 80521, USA
| | - Olin E Rhodes
- Savannah River Ecology Laboratory, University of Georgia, Building 737-A Aiken, South Carolina 29802, USA
| | - Guha Dharmarajan
- Division of Sciences, School of Interwoven Arts and Sciences, Krea University, 5655 Central Expressway, Sri City, Andhra Pradesh 517646, India
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Remmers JJ, Nielsen CK, Lesmeister DB. Anthropogenic and environmental influences on mammalian alpha and beta diversity in a hardwood forest landscape. Glob Ecol Conserv 2023. [DOI: 10.1016/j.gecco.2023.e02369] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
|
3
|
Jachowski D, Kays R, Butler A, Hoylman AM, Gompper ME. Tracking the decline of weasels in North America. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0254387. [PMID: 34288944 PMCID: PMC8294569 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0254387] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2021] [Accepted: 06/26/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Small carnivores are of increasing conservation concern globally, including those formerly thought to be widespread and abundant. Three weasel species (Mustela nivalis, M. frenata, and M. erminea) are distributed across most of North America, yet several recent studies have reported difficulty detecting weasels within their historical range and several states have revised the status of weasels to that of species of conservation concern. To investigate the status and trends of weasels across the United States (US) and Canada, we analyzed four separate datasets: historical harvests, museum collections, citizen scientist observations (iNaturalist), and a recent US-wide trail camera survey. We observed 87–94% declines in weasel harvest across North America over the past 60 years. Declining trapper numbers and shifts in trapping practices likely partially explain the decline in harvest. Nonetheless, after accounting for trapper effort and pelt price, we still detected a significant decline in weasel harvest for 15 of 22 evaluated states and provinces. Comparisons of recent and historical museum and observational records suggest relatively consistent distributions for M. erminea, but a current range gap of >1000 km between two distinct populations of M. nivalis. We observed a dramatic drop-off in M. frenata records since 2000 in portions of its central, Great Lakes, and southern distribution, despite extensive sampling effort. In 2019, systematic trail camera surveys at 1509 sites in 50 US states detected weasels at 14 sites, all of which were above 40o latitude. While none of these datasets are individually conclusive, they collectively support the hypothesis that weasel populations have declined in North America and highlight the need for improved methods for detecting and monitoring weasels. By identifying population declines for small carnivores that were formerly abundant across North America, our findings echo recent calls to expand investigations into the conservation need of small carnivores globally.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- David Jachowski
- Department of Forestry and Environmental Conservation, Clemson University, Clemson, South Carolina, United States of America
- School of Life Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, South Africa
- * E-mail:
| | - Roland Kays
- North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences, Raleigh, North Carolina, United States of America
- Department of Forestry and Environmental Resources, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Andrew Butler
- Department of Forestry and Environmental Conservation, Clemson University, Clemson, South Carolina, United States of America
| | - Anne M. Hoylman
- Asombro Institute for Science Education, Las Cruces, New Mexico, United States of America
| | - Matthew E. Gompper
- Department of Fish, Wildlife and Conservation Ecology, New Mexico State University, Las Cruces, New Mexico, United States of America
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Hennessy C, Hild K. Are Virginia opossums really ecological traps for ticks? Groundtruthing laboratory observations. Ticks Tick Borne Dis 2021; 12:101780. [PMID: 34298355 DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2021.101780] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2021] [Revised: 06/04/2021] [Accepted: 06/28/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Virginia opossums (Didelphis virginiana) are a common synanthrope in North America, and serve as host to many species of ectoparasites. Research on captive Virginia opossums estimated that opossums eat, on average, 5500 larval ticks (Acari: Ixodidae) per week. To investigate this apparent preference exhibited by opossums for ingesting ticks, we comprehensively analyzed stomach contents of 32 Virginia opossums from central Illinois. Using a dissecting microscope, we searched the contents exhaustively for ticks and tick body parts, without sieving or pre-rinsing the stomach contents. We did not locate any ticks or tick parts in the stomach contents of Virginia opossums. We also performed a vigorous literature search for corroborating evidence of tick ingestion. Our search revealed 23 manuscripts that describe diet analyses of Virginia opossums, 19 of which were conducted on stomach or digestive tract contents and four of which were scat-based analyses. None of the studies identified ticks in their analyses of diet items. We conclude that ticks are not a preferred diet item for Virginia opossums. Considering that wildlife unconditioned to laboratory conditions may exhibit non-typical behaviors, we recommend that lab-based studies of wildlife behavior be groundtruthed with studies based in natural conditions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Cecilia Hennessy
- Division of Math and Sciences, Eureka College, Eureka, IL, United States.
| | - Kaitlyn Hild
- Division of Math and Sciences, Eureka College, Eureka, IL, United States
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Haywood CJ, Nielsen CK, Jiménez FA. Live-Capture Techniques for Colonizing Nine-Banded Armadillos. Northeast Nat (Steuben) 2021. [DOI: 10.1656/045.028.0206] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Carly J. Haywood
- School of Biological Sciences, Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, IL 62901
| | - Clayton K. Nielsen
- School of Biological Sciences, Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, IL 62901
| | - F. Agustín Jiménez
- School of Biological Sciences, Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, IL 62901
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Walsh LL, Tucker PK. Stable Isotope Values Suggest Opossums (Didelphis virginiana) at the Northern Edge of their Range do not Seasonally Molt. Northeast Nat (Steuben) 2021. [DOI: 10.1656/045.028.0101] [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]
Affiliation(s)
- Lisa L. Walsh
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109
| | - Priscilla K. Tucker
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Walsh LL, Tucker PK. Isotopic niche breadth of a generalist mesopredator increases with habitat heterogeneity across its range. Ecosphere 2020. [DOI: 10.1002/ecs2.3314] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Lisa L. Walsh
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology and Museum of Zoology University of Michigan 1105 North University Ann Arbor Michigan48109USA
| | - Priscilla K. Tucker
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology and Museum of Zoology University of Michigan 1105 North University Ann Arbor Michigan48109USA
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Arreola-Gómez R, Mendoza E. Marsupial Visitation to the Inflorescences of the Endemic Agave cupreata in Western Mexico. WEST N AM NATURALIST 2020. [DOI: 10.3398/064.080.0417] [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]
Affiliation(s)
- Rosario Arreola-Gómez
- Instituto de Investigaciones sobre los Recursos Naturales, Universidad Michoacana de San Nicolás de Hidalgo. San Juanito Itzicuaro s/n, Nueva Esperanza, Morelia, C.P. 58337, Michoacán, México
| | - Eduardo Mendoza
- Instituto de Investigaciones sobre los Recursos Naturales, Universidad Michoacana de San Nicolás de Hidalgo. San Juanito Itzicuaro s/n, Nueva Esperanza, Morelia, C.P. 58337, Michoacán, México
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Deb JC, Forbes G, MacLean DA. Modelling the spatial distribution of selected North American woodland mammals under future climate scenarios. Mamm Rev 2020. [DOI: 10.1111/mam.12210] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Jiban Chandra Deb
- Faculty of Forestry and Environmental Management University of New Brunswick Fredericton NBE3B5A3Canada
| | - Graham Forbes
- Faculty of Forestry and Environmental Management University of New Brunswick Fredericton NBE3B5A3Canada
| | - David A. MacLean
- Faculty of Forestry and Environmental Management University of New Brunswick Fredericton NBE3B5A3Canada
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Wait KR, Ahlers AA. Virginia opossum distributions are influenced by human-modified landscapes and water availability in tallgrass prairies. J Mammal 2019. [DOI: 10.1093/jmammal/gyz176] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
The Flint Hills represent the largest tract of tallgrass prairie in North America and is located near the western edge of the native range of the Virginia opossum (Didelphis virginiana). This region is undergoing rapid landscape changes (e.g., urbanization, agriculture, woody encroachment) that are negatively affecting mammal communities. Although previous research has revealed northward distributional expansions of Virginia opossums facilitated by urban development, no studies have assessed how landscape change affects distribution patterns along the western edge of their geographic range. During 2016–2018, we monitored site (n = 74) occupancy along urban–rural transects in the Flint Hills to assess the influence of landscape change (i.e., urban, grassland, agriculture, woody encroachment) and water availability on the distribution of Virginia opossums. Sites surrounded by urban land cover had greater initial occupancy probabilities and lower extinction rates. Sites closer to permanent water sources experienced greater colonization rates and lower extinction rates. In addition, site extinction rates were lower in areas surrounded by woody encroachment. Our results concur with other studies suggesting that growing urban areas may expand opossum distributions along the edges of their geographic range. Our study also suggests that woody encroachment into tallgrass prairies may provide an alternative pathway for future distributional expansions. Future research must consider the potential for landscape change, along with dynamic water availability, in models predicting the distribution of Virginia opossums.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kyle R Wait
- Department of Horticulture and Natural Resources, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS, USA
| | - Adam A Ahlers
- Department of Horticulture and Natural Resources, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS, USA
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Fatal West Nile Virus Infection in a Virginia Opossum (Didelphis virginiana) with Pulmonary Lepidic-Predominant Adenocarcinoma. J Wildl Dis 2019. [DOI: 10.7589/2018-12-284] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
|
12
|
Cruz P, Iezzi ME, De Angelo C, Varela D, Di Bitetti MS. Landscape use by two opossums is shaped by habitat preferences rather than by competitive interactions. J Mammal 2019. [DOI: 10.1093/jmammal/gyz133] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Given the phylogenetic proximity and similar morphology of opossums (Didelphis spp.), they are good models to study factors that facilitate or impede coexistence of syntopic species and to better understand how landscape changes affect species distributions and habitat use. For this purpose, we used single-species and two-species occupancy models using records of D. albiventris, considered the dominant species, and D. aurita from a camera-trap survey conducted in an agricultural and conservation landscape in the Atlantic Forest of Argentina. We evaluated which factors determined the probability of species occurrence: habitat preferences or interspecific relationships. We also estimated the overlap in daily activity patterns between species, and evaluated changes in D. aurita activity in response to the occupancy probability of D. albiventris. Didelphis aurita had higher occupancy probabilities in the continuous native forest, whereas D. albiventris had higher occupancy probabilities in fragmented forests with less complex and more open vegetation structure, and greater proximity to buildings. Both opossums were almost absent in pine plantations. Results of the co-occurrence models and the overlap in diel activity suggest that D. aurita is not avoiding D. albiventris. Occurrences of these two opossums most probably reflect different adaptations by each species to different habitats, and competitive interactions seem to play a minor role in shaping their current distributions. Didelphis albiventris may be replacing D. aurita mainly as a result of changing environmental conditions, which become unfavorable to the latter but promote the creation of new habitat for the former.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Paula Cruz
- Instituto de Biología Subtropical, CONICET-Universidad Nacional de Misiones (UNaM), Bertoni, Puerto Iguazú, Misiones, Argentina
- Asociación Civil Centro de Investigaciones del Bosque Atlántico, Bertoni, Puerto Iguazú, Misiones, Argentina
| | - María Eugenia Iezzi
- Instituto de Biología Subtropical, CONICET-Universidad Nacional de Misiones (UNaM), Bertoni, Puerto Iguazú, Misiones, Argentina
- Asociación Civil Centro de Investigaciones del Bosque Atlántico, Bertoni, Puerto Iguazú, Misiones, Argentina
| | - Carlos De Angelo
- Instituto de Biología Subtropical, CONICET-Universidad Nacional de Misiones (UNaM), Bertoni, Puerto Iguazú, Misiones, Argentina
- Asociación Civil Centro de Investigaciones del Bosque Atlántico, Bertoni, Puerto Iguazú, Misiones, Argentina
| | - Diego Varela
- Instituto de Biología Subtropical, CONICET-Universidad Nacional de Misiones (UNaM), Bertoni, Puerto Iguazú, Misiones, Argentina
- Asociación Civil Centro de Investigaciones del Bosque Atlántico, Bertoni, Puerto Iguazú, Misiones, Argentina
| | - Mario S Di Bitetti
- Instituto de Biología Subtropical, CONICET-Universidad Nacional de Misiones (UNaM), Bertoni, Puerto Iguazú, Misiones, Argentina
- Asociación Civil Centro de Investigaciones del Bosque Atlántico, Bertoni, Puerto Iguazú, Misiones, Argentina
- Facultad de Ciencias Forestales, Universidad Nacional de Misiones (UNaM), Bertoni, Eldorado, Misiones, Argentina
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Sobey KG, Jamieson SE, Walpole AA, Rosatte RC, Donovan D, Fehlner-Gardiner C, Nadin-Davis SA, Davies JC, Kyle CJ. ONRAB® oral rabies vaccine is shed from, but does not persist in, captive mammals. Vaccine 2019; 37:4310-4317. [PMID: 31248686 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2019.06.046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2019] [Revised: 06/13/2019] [Accepted: 06/14/2019] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
ONRAB® is a human adenovirus rabies glycoprotein recombinant vaccine developed to control rabies in wildlife. To support licensing and widespread use of the vaccine, safety studies are needed to assess its potential residual impact on wildlife populations. We examined the persistence of the ONRAB® vaccine virus in captive rabies vector and non-target mammals. This research complements work on important rabies vector species (raccoon, striped skunk, and red fox) but also adds to previous findings with the addition of some non-target species (Virginia opossum, Norway rats, and cotton rats) and a prolonged period of post vaccination monitoring (41 days). Animals were directly inoculated orally with the vaccine and vaccine shedding was monitored using quantitative real-time PCR applied to oral and rectal swabs. ONRAB® DNA was detected in both oral and rectal swabs from 6 h to 3 days post-inoculation in most animals, followed by a resurgence of shedding between days 17 and 34 in some species. Overall, the duration over which ONRAB® DNA was detectable was shorter for non-target mammals, and by day 41, no animal had detectable DNA in either oral or rectal swabs. All target species, as well as cotton rats and laboratory-bred Norway rats, developed robust humoral immune responses as measured by competitive ELISA, with all individuals being seropositive at day 31. Similarly, opossums showed good response (89% seropositive; 8/9), whereas only one of nine wild caught Norway rats was seropositive at day 31. These results support findings of other safety studies suggesting that ONRAB® does not persist in vector and non-target mammals exposed to the vaccine. As such, we interpret these data to reflect a low risk of adverse effects to wild populations following distribution of ONRAB® to control sylvatic rabies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kirk G Sobey
- Wildlife Research and Monitoring Section, Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry, 2140 East Bank Drive, Trent University, Peterborough, Ontario K9L 0G2, Canada
| | - Sarah E Jamieson
- Wildlife Research and Monitoring Section, Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry, 2140 East Bank Drive, Trent University, Peterborough, Ontario K9L 0G2, Canada.
| | - Aaron A Walpole
- Wildlife Section, Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry, 300 Water Street, Peterborough, Ontario K9J 8M5, Canada.
| | - Rick C Rosatte
- Wildlife Research and Monitoring Section, Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry, 2140 East Bank Drive, Trent University, Peterborough, Ontario K9L 0G2, Canada.
| | - Dennis Donovan
- Wildlife Research and Monitoring Section, Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry, 2140 East Bank Drive, Trent University, Peterborough, Ontario K9L 0G2, Canada.
| | - Christine Fehlner-Gardiner
- Canadian Food Inspection Agency, Ottawa Laboratory Fallowfield, PO Box 11300, Station H, Nepean, Ontario K2H 8P9, Canada.
| | - Susan A Nadin-Davis
- Canadian Food Inspection Agency, Ottawa Laboratory Fallowfield, PO Box 11300, Station H, Nepean, Ontario K2H 8P9, Canada.
| | - J Chris Davies
- Wildlife Research and Monitoring Section, Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry, 2140 East Bank Drive, Trent University, Peterborough, Ontario K9L 0G2, Canada.
| | - Christopher J Kyle
- Natural Resources DNA Profiling and Forensics Centre, 2140 East Bank Drive, DNA Building, Trent University, Peterborough, Ontario K9J 7B8, Canada.
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Bondo KJ, Pearl DL, Janecko N, Reid-Smith RJ, Parmley EJ, Weese JS, Rousseau J, Taboada E, Mutschall S, Jardine CM. Salmonella, Campylobacter, Clostridium difficile, and anti-microbial resistant Escherichia coli in the faeces of sympatric meso-mammals in southern Ontario, Canada. Zoonoses Public Health 2019; 66:406-416. [PMID: 30985994 DOI: 10.1111/zph.12576] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2018] [Revised: 12/29/2018] [Accepted: 02/17/2019] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
The role of free-ranging wildlife in the epidemiology of enteropathogens causing clinical illness in humans and domestic animals is unclear. Salmonella enterica and anti-microbial resistant bacteria have been detected in the faeces of raccoons (Procyon lotor), but little is known about the carriage of these bacteria in other sympatric meso-mammals. Our objectives were to: (a) report the prevalence of Salmonella and associated anti-microbial resistance, Campylobacter spp, Clostridium difficile, and anti-microbial resistant Escherichia coli in the faeces of striped skunks (Mephitis mephitis) and Virginia opossums (Didelphis virginiana) in southern Ontario; and (b) compare the prevalence of these bacteria in the faeces of these meso-mammal hosts with raccoons from a previously reported study. Faecal swabs were collected from striped skunks and Virginia opossums on five swine farms and five conservation areas from 2011 to 2013. Salmonella was detected in 41% (9/22) and 5% (5/95) of faecal swabs from Virginia opossums and striped skunks, respectively. None of the Salmonella serovars carried resistance to anti-microbials. The prevalence of Campylobacter spp., C. difficile, and anti-microbial resistant E. coli ranged from 6% to 22% in striped skunk and Virginia opossums. Using exact logistic regression, Salmonella was significantly more likely to be detected in faecal swabs of Virginia opossums than skunks and significantly less likely in faecal swabs from skunks than raccoons from a previously reported study. In addition, Campylobacter spp. was significantly more likely to be detected in raccoons than opossums. Salmonella Give was detected in 8/9 (89%) of Salmonella-positive Virginia opossum faecal swabs. Our results suggest that striped skunks and Virginia opossums have the potential to carry pathogenic enteric bacteria in their faeces. The high prevalence of Salmonella Give in Virginia opossum faecal swabs in this study as well as its common occurrence in other Virginia opossum studies throughout North America suggests Virginia opossums may be reservoirs of this serovar.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kristin J Bondo
- Department of Pathobiology, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada
| | - David L Pearl
- Department of Population Medicine, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada
| | - Nicol Janecko
- Department of Population Medicine, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada.,Centre for Foodborne, Environmental and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases, Public Health Agency of Canada, Guelph, Ontario, Canada
| | - Richard J Reid-Smith
- Department of Pathobiology, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada.,Department of Population Medicine, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada.,Centre for Foodborne, Environmental and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases, Public Health Agency of Canada, Guelph, Ontario, Canada
| | - E Jane Parmley
- Department of Pathobiology, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada.,Centre for Foodborne, Environmental and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases, Public Health Agency of Canada, Guelph, Ontario, Canada.,Canadian Wildlife Health Cooperative, Department of Pathobiology, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada
| | - J Scott Weese
- Department of Pathobiology, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada
| | - Joyce Rousseau
- Department of Pathobiology, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada
| | - Eduardo Taboada
- National Microbiology Laboratory at Lethbridge, Public Health Agency of Canada, Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada
| | - Steven Mutschall
- National Microbiology Laboratory at Lethbridge, Public Health Agency of Canada, Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada
| | - Claire M Jardine
- Department of Pathobiology, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada.,Canadian Wildlife Health Cooperative, Department of Pathobiology, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada
| |
Collapse
|