1
|
Snow NP, Glow MP, Foster JA, VerCauteren KC. Seasonal efficacy and risks from a sodium nitrite toxic bait for wild pigs. PEST MANAGEMENT SCIENCE 2024; 80:3227-3237. [PMID: 38357838 DOI: 10.1002/ps.8025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2023] [Revised: 02/08/2024] [Accepted: 02/15/2024] [Indexed: 02/16/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Wild pigs (Sus scrofa) are an invasive and destructive species throughout many regions of the world. A sodium nitrite (SN) toxic bait is currently used in Australia and being developed for use in the US and other countries to combat the increasing populations of wild pigs. In the US, efforts to modify the Australian SN-toxic bait and baiting strategy have focused on reducing issues with non-target animals accessing the SN-toxic bait spilled outside of bait stations by wild pigs. We tested and compared modifications for efficacy (with wild pigs) and hazards (with non-targets) in north-central Texas, US during summer (July 2021) and winter (March 2023) seasons. RESULTS During both seasons we found that visitation to the bait sites declined 94-99% after deploying the SN-toxic bait, and we found a total of 106 dead wild pigs, indicating considerable lethality for the local population. Prior to deploying the SN-toxic bait, Global Positioning System (GPS)-collared wild pigs were more likely to cease visiting bait sites during summer when foraging resources were abundant. Farrowing decreased visitation to bait sites during the winter. We observed no dead non-targets during summer; winter results showed an average of 5.2 dead migrating birds per bait site (primarily Dark-eye juncos [Junco hyemalis]) from consuming SN-toxic bait spilled by wild pigs. The presence and winter-foraging behaviors of migrating birds appeared to increase hazards for those species. CONCLUSION The current formulation of SN-toxic bait was effective at removing wild pigs during both seasons, however it is clear that different baiting strategies may be required in winter when migrating birds are present. Baiting wild pigs prior to farrowing during the winter, and during drier summers, may further improve efficacy of the bait. Reducing hazards to non-targets could be achieved by refining the SN-toxic bait or modifying bait stations to decrease the potential for spillage, decreasing environmental persistence if spilled, or decreasing attractiveness to migrating birds. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry. This article has been contributed to by U.S. Government employees and their work is in the public domain in the USA.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nathan P Snow
- USDA/APHIS/ Wildlife Services, National Wildlife Research Center, Fort Collins, Colorado, USA
| | - Michael P Glow
- USDA/APHIS/ Wildlife Services, National Wildlife Research Center, Fort Collins, Colorado, USA
| | - Justin A Foster
- Kerr Wildlife Management Area, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, Hunt, Texas, USA
| | - Kurt C VerCauteren
- USDA/APHIS/ Wildlife Services, National Wildlife Research Center, Fort Collins, Colorado, USA
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Chen PL, Huang KT, Chen LY, Hsu K. Erythroid anion Exchanger-1 (band 3) transports nitrite for nitric oxide metabolism. Free Radic Biol Med 2024; 210:237-245. [PMID: 38042224 DOI: 10.1016/j.freeradbiomed.2023.11.028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2023] [Revised: 11/23/2023] [Accepted: 11/26/2023] [Indexed: 12/04/2023]
Abstract
Nitrite (NO2-) interacts with hemoglobin (Hb) in various ways to regulate blood flow. During hypoxic vasodilation, nitrite is reduced by deoxyHb to yield nitric oxide (NO). While NO, a hydrophobic gas, could freely diffuse across the cell membrane, how the reactant nitrite anion could permeate through the red blood cell (RBC) membrane remains unclear. We hypothesized that Cl-/HCO3- anion exchanger-1 (AE1; band 3) abundantly embedded in the RBC membrane could transport NO2-, as HCO3- and NO2- exhibit similar hydrated radii. Here, we monitored NO/N2O3 generated from NO2- inside human RBCs by DAF-FM fluorophore. NO2-, not NO3-, increased intraerythrocytic DAF-FM fluorescence. To test the involvement of AE1-mediated transport in intraerythrocytic NO/N2O3 production from nitrite, we lowered Cl- or HCO3- in the RBC-incubating buffer by 20 % and indeed observed slower rise of the DAF-FM fluorescence. Anti-extracellular AE1, but not anti-intracellular AE1 antibodies, reduced the rates of NO formation from nitrite. The AE1 blocker DIDS similarly reduced the rates of NO/N2O3 production from nitrite in a dose-dependent fashion, confirming that nitrite entered RBCs through AE1. Nitrite inside the RBCs reacted with both deoxyHb and oxyHb, as evidenced by 6.1 % decrease in deoxyHb, 14.7 % decrease in oxyHb, and 20.7 % increase in methemoglobin (metHb). Lowering Cl- in the milieu equally delayed metHb production from nitrite-oxyHb and nitrite-deoxyHb reactions. Thus, AE1-mediated NO2- transport facilitates NO2--Hb reactions inside the red cells, supporting NOx metabolism in circulation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Pin-Lung Chen
- The Laboratory of Immunogenetics, Department of Medical Research, MacKay Memorial Hospital, Tamsui, New Taipei City, Taiwan
| | - Kuang-Tse Huang
- Department of Chemical Engineering, National Chung-Cheng University, Chia-Yi, Taiwan
| | - Li-Yang Chen
- The Laboratory of Immunogenetics, Department of Medical Research, MacKay Memorial Hospital, Tamsui, New Taipei City, Taiwan
| | - Kate Hsu
- The Laboratory of Immunogenetics, Department of Medical Research, MacKay Memorial Hospital, Tamsui, New Taipei City, Taiwan; MacKay Junior College of Medicine, Nursing, and Management, New Taipei City, Taiwan; Institute of Biomedical Sciences, MacKay Medical College, New Taipei City, Taiwan.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Marks CA, Trought K, Brown S, Arrow J, Hopkins B. Monitoring methaemoglobinaemia in birds using 5 μL of whole blood. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0282820. [PMID: 36928076 PMCID: PMC10019692 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0282820] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2022] [Accepted: 02/23/2023] [Indexed: 03/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Methaemoglobin (MetHb) forming compounds such as para-aminopropiophenone (PAPP) and sodium nitrite (NaNO2) have recently been adopted for the lethal control of a range of invasive carnivores and mustelids. Determining the relative hazard of these compounds to non-target bird species is an important component of ecological risks evaluation. Problematically, some potential non-target bird species may be as small as 10 g in body mass, thus placing limitations on blood volumes that can be routinely sampled. Accordingly, we developed methods to quantify markers of increasing methaemoglobinaemia at their point of collection that required only 5 μL of whole blood. A 3 μL blood aliquot is pipetted into a plastic micro-cuvette and placed in a custom made holder optically coupled to the Ocean Optics spectrometer, enabling absorbance for oxyhaemoglobin (HbO: 575 nm) and MetHb (630 nm) to be determined. Haemoglobin (HbFe2+), packed cell volume (PCV) and lactate (LAC) data were generated from the remaining 2 μL aliquot apportioned to biosensor strips for the Cera-Check® and Lactate Scout® point-of-care devices. After oral doses of PAPP, a methaemoglobinaemia absorbance index (MAI = absorbance 575 nm-absorbance 630 nm) was strongly and significantly associated with dose-dependent declines in HbFe2+ in 9 bird species. Quantifying dose-dependent responses to MetHb-forming agents at the point of sample collection avoids analytical and storage artifacts arising from sample degradation that appears to be a much greater problem in avian blood compared to mammalian blood.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Clive A. Marks
- Nocturnal Wildlife Research Pty Ltd, Melbourne, Australia
- Manaaki Whenua Landcare Research, Lincoln, New Zealand
- * E-mail:
| | | | | | - Jane Arrow
- Manaaki Whenua Landcare Research, Lincoln, New Zealand
| | - Brian Hopkins
- Manaaki Whenua Landcare Research, Lincoln, New Zealand
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Savkovic Z, Stupar M, Unkovic N, Stancic A, Vukojevic J, Ljaljevic-Grbic M. Hemolytic potential of bioaerosol-derived Aspergillus, Penicillium and Talaromyces mould isolates. ZBORNIK MATICE SRPSKE ZA PRIRODNE NAUKE 2022. [DOI: 10.2298/zmspn2243015s] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Aspergillus, Penicillium and Talaromyces species are frequently cited as
contaminants of various substrata and are often associated with indoor
environments. The main purpose of this study was to assess the potential
pathogenicity of aerosol-derived fungi from Aspergillus, Penicillium and
Talaromyces genera, isolated in the rooms for con?servation of cultural
heritage artefacts, via estimating hemolytic activity. Hemolysis was
detected in 20.58% of tested isolates at 37?C (11.76% partial and 8.82%
complete) and 64.71% at 25?C (38.24% partial and 26.47% complete). The
majority of isolates that caused ? hemolysis led to the significant
oxidation of hemoglobin iron with methemoglobin content in blood agar
medium, higher than 80%. Aspergillus melleus was the only tested fungi that
caused formation of ferry hemoglobin after the incubation at 25?C. Obtained
I values (index of activity for hemolytic exoenzymes) for ? hemolysis were
in range of from 0.13 to 0.60 for 37?C, while for the temperature of 25?C
values were in range of from 0.08 to 0.50. The same values for ? hemolysis
were in range of from 0.03 to 0.08 (37?C), i.e. 0.06 to 0.49 (25?C).
Monitoring of pathogenic airborne fungi in indoor environments and
estimation of their virulence is essential for the adequate assessment of
human health risks.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Zeljko Savkovic
- University of Belgrade, Faculty of Biology, Institute of Botany and Botanical Garden “Jevremovac”, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Milos Stupar
- University of Belgrade, Faculty of Biology, Institute of Botany and Botanical Garden “Jevremovac”, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Nikola Unkovic
- University of Belgrade, Faculty of Biology, Institute of Botany and Botanical Garden “Jevremovac”, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Ana Stancic
- University of Belgrade, Institute for Medical Research, Laboratory for Immunology, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Jelena Vukojevic
- University of Belgrade, Faculty of Biology, Institute of Botany and Botanical Garden “Jevremovac”, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Milica Ljaljevic-Grbic
- University of Belgrade, Faculty of Biology, Institute of Botany and Botanical Garden “Jevremovac”, Belgrade, Serbia
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Deterring non-target birds from toxic bait sites for wild pigs. Sci Rep 2021; 11:19967. [PMID: 34620966 PMCID: PMC8497612 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-99547-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2021] [Accepted: 09/23/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Toxic baiting of wild pigs (Sus scrofa) is a potential new tool for population control and damage reduction in the US. Field trials testing a prototype toxic bait (HOGGONE 2 containing 5% sodium nitrite [SN]), though, revealed that wild pigs spilled small particles of toxic bait outside of bait stations which subsequently created hazards for non-target species that consumed those particles, primarily passerine birds. To deter non-target birds from consuming particles of spilled bait, we tested four deterrents at mock bait sites (i.e., baited with bird seed) in north-central Colorado, USA during April–May 2020. We found a programable, inflatable deterrent device (scare dancer) reduced bird visitation by an average of 96%. Then, we evaluated the deterrent devices at SN-toxic bait sites in north-central Texas, USA during July 2020, where the devices were activated the morning following deployment of SN-toxic bait. Overall, we found 139 dead wild pigs at 10 bait sites following one night of toxic baiting, which represented an average of 91% reduction in wild pigs visiting bait sites. We found that deterrent devices were 100% effective at deterring birds from toxic bait sites. We found two dead non-target mice at bait sites without deterrent devices. We noted that deploying toxic bait in mid-summer rather than late-winter/early-spring reduced hazards to migrating birds because they were not present in our study area during July. We recommend using deterrent devices (i.e., novel, programmable, battery operated, continuous and erratic movement, and snapping sounds) to reduce hazards to non-target birds at SN-toxic bait sites. We further recommend deploying SN-toxic bait during seasons when migrating birds are not as abundant until further research demonstrates minimal risks to migrating birds.
Collapse
|
6
|
Pineda-Pampliega J, Ramiro Y, Herrera-Dueñas A, Martinez-Haro M, Hernández JM, Aguirre JI, Höfle U. A multidisciplinary approach to the evaluation of the effects of foraging on landfills on white stork nestlings. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2021; 775:145197. [PMID: 33631567 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.145197] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2020] [Revised: 01/11/2021] [Accepted: 01/11/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
The use of landfills as foraging areas by white storks (Ciconia ciconia) is a recent well-known behaviour. While several studies have highlighted positive effects at a populational level others suggest that the presence of pollutants, pathogens and the lower presence of antioxidants in the food could pose a health risk for individuals. The objective of this study was to evaluate potential effects of the use of landfills as a food resource on the physiology and health of white stork nestlings, by a multidisciplinary approach based on the analysis of nutritional status, body condition, blood parameters, oxidative stress balance and the presence of pathogens. Results showed better body condition in individuals associated with landfills compared to the ones feeding on natural resources, as well as better nutritional status, as indicated by higher levels of albumin, cholesterol, and triglycerides in plasma. As many pollutants have a pro-oxidant effect, we evaluated oxidative stress balance, with no differences in the indicators of damage except for methaemoglobin (metHb), significantly higher in nestlings associated with landfill-origin food. Regarding antioxidants, GSH was higher in nestlings associated with landfills, which may suggest a hormetic response induced potentially by the presence of pollutants in waste. Nestlings fed food from landfills also had a higher presence of Escherichia coli with a multiresistant phenotype to antibiotics. In conclusion, our results show that nestlings fed with a higher proportion of food from landfills present a better nutritional status and body condition than those fed with a higher proportion of natural diet, being the only indicators of negative effects of the use of this food resource the higher percentage of metHb in the peripheral blood and the presence of antibiotic-resistant E. coli.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Javier Pineda-Pampliega
- Department of Biodiversity, Ecology and Evolution, Faculty of Biology, Complutense University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain..
| | - Yolanda Ramiro
- SaBio Research Group, Instituto de Investigación en Recursos Cinegéticos IREC, (CSIC-UCLM-JCCM), Ciudad Real, Spain
| | - Amparo Herrera-Dueñas
- Groningen Institute for Evolutionary Life Sciences, University of Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands
| | - Monica Martinez-Haro
- Instituto Regional de Investigación y Desarrollo Agroalimentario y Forestal (IRIAF). Centro de Investigación Agroambiental El Chaparrillo, Ciudad Real, Spain
| | | | - José I Aguirre
- Department of Biodiversity, Ecology and Evolution, Faculty of Biology, Complutense University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Ursula Höfle
- SaBio Research Group, Instituto de Investigación en Recursos Cinegéticos IREC, (CSIC-UCLM-JCCM), Ciudad Real, Spain
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Snow NP, Wishart JD, Foster JA, Staples LD, VerCauteren KC. Efficacy and risks from a modified sodium nitrite toxic bait for wild pigs. PEST MANAGEMENT SCIENCE 2021; 77:1616-1625. [PMID: 33200879 DOI: 10.1002/ps.6180] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2020] [Revised: 11/09/2020] [Accepted: 11/17/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Wild pigs (Sus scrofa) are a destructive invasive species throughout many regions of the world. In 2018, a field evaluation of an early prototype of a sodium nitrite (SN) toxic bait in the United States revealed wild pigs dropped large amounts of the toxic bait outside the pig-specific bait stations while feeding, and thus subsequent hazards for non-target animals. We modified the SN-toxic bait formulation, the design of the bait station, and the baiting strategy to reduce dropped bait. We tested the modifications in Queensland, Australia (December 2018), Alabama, USA (August 2019), and Texas, USA (March 2020) under differing climatic and seasonal conditions for one night. RESULTS Cumulatively we found 161 carcasses of all age classes of wild pigs using systematic transects. Remote camera indices indicated high lethality for wild pigs, achieving population reductions of 76.3 to 90.4%. Wild pigs dropped only small particles of SN-toxic bait (average = 55.5 g per bait site), which represented a 19-fold decrease from the previous trial. Despite this reduction, we found three Australian ravens (Corvus coronoides) in Queensland, two Virginia opossums (Didelphis virginiana) in Alabama, and 35 granivorous-passerine birds (mostly dark-eyed juncos [Junco hyemalis]) in Texas dead from consuming the dropped bait. We did not detect any population-level effects for those species. CONCLUSION Our modifications were effective at reducing populations of wild pigs, but the deaths of non-target species require further steps to minimize these hazards. Next steps will include evaluating various deterrent devices for birds the morning after SN-toxic bait has been offered. Published 2020. This article is a U.S. Government work and is in the public domain in the USA.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nathan P Snow
- USDA/APHIS/Wildlife Services, National Wildlife Research Center, Fort Collins, CO, USA
| | - Jason D Wishart
- Animal Control Technologies Australia Pty Ltd, Somerton, Australia
| | - Justin A Foster
- Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, Kerr Wildlife Management Area, Hunt, TX, USA
| | - Linton D Staples
- Animal Control Technologies Australia Pty Ltd, Somerton, Australia
| | - Kurt C VerCauteren
- USDA/APHIS/Wildlife Services, National Wildlife Research Center, Fort Collins, CO, USA
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Snow NP, Foster JA, VanNatta EH, Horak KE, Humphrys ST, Staples LD, Hewitt DG, VerCauteren KC. Potential secondary poisoning risks to non-targets from a sodium nitrite toxic bait for invasive wild pigs. PEST MANAGEMENT SCIENCE 2018; 74:181-188. [PMID: 28762643 DOI: 10.1002/ps.4692] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2017] [Revised: 07/25/2017] [Accepted: 07/27/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND An acute and orally delivered toxic bait containing micro-encapsulated sodium nitrite (MESN), is under development to provide a novel and humane technology to help curtail damage caused by invasive wild pigs (Sus scrofa). We evaluated potential secondary risks for non-target species by: testing whether four different types of micro-encapsulation coatings could reduce vomiting by invasive wild pigs, testing the levels of residual sodium nitrite (SN) in tissues of invasive wild pigs, testing the environmental persistence of SN in vomitus, and conducting a risk assessment for scavengers. RESULTS Micro-encapsulation coatings did not affect the frequency of vomiting. We identified no risk of secondary poisoning for non-target scavengers that consume muscle, eyes, and livers of invasive wild pig carcasses because residual SN from the toxic bait was not detected in those tissues. The risk of secondary poisoning from consuming vomitus appeared low because ∼90% of the SN was metabolized or broken down prior to vomiting, and continued to degrade after being exposed to the environment. Secondary poisoning could occur for common scavengers that consume approximately ≥15% of their daily dietary requirements of digestive tract tissues or undigested bait from carcasses of invasive wild pigs in a rapid, single-feeding event. The likelihood of this occurring in a natural setting is unknown. The digestive tracts of poisoned invasive wild pigs contained an average of ∼4.35 mg/g of residual SN. CONCLUSION Data from this study suggest no risks of secondary poisoning for non-target species (including humans) that consume muscle, liver, or eyes of invasive wild pigs poisoned with a MESN toxic bait. More species-specific testing for scavengers that consume digestive tract tissues and undigested bait is needed to reduce uncertainty about these potential risks. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nathan P Snow
- Caesar Kleberg Wildlife Research Institute, Texas A&M University-Kingsville, Kingsville, Texas, USA
| | - Justin A Foster
- Kerr Wildlife Management Area, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, Hunt, Texas, USA
| | - Eric H VanNatta
- USDA/APHIS/ Wildlife Services, National Wildlife Research Center, Fort Collins, Colorado, USA
| | - Katherine E Horak
- USDA/APHIS/ Wildlife Services, National Wildlife Research Center, Fort Collins, Colorado, USA
| | | | - Linton D Staples
- Invasive Animals CRC, Glenside, South Australia, Australia
- Animal Control Technologies Australia Pty Ltd, Somerton, Victoria, Australia
| | - David G Hewitt
- Caesar Kleberg Wildlife Research Institute, Texas A&M University-Kingsville, Kingsville, Texas, USA
| | - Kurt C VerCauteren
- USDA/APHIS/ Wildlife Services, National Wildlife Research Center, Fort Collins, Colorado, USA
| |
Collapse
|