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Dugovich BS, Beechler BR, Dolan BP, Crowhurst RS, Gonzales BJ, Powers JG, Hughson DL, Vu RK, Epps CW, Jolles AE. Population connectivity patterns of genetic diversity, immune responses and exposure to infectious pneumonia in a metapopulation of desert bighorn sheep. J Anim Ecol 2023. [PMID: 36637333 DOI: 10.1111/1365-2656.13885] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2022] [Accepted: 01/03/2023] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
Habitat fragmentation is an important driver of biodiversity loss and can be remediated through management actions aimed at maintenance of natural connectivity in metapopulations. Connectivity may protect populations from infectious diseases by preserving immunogenetic diversity and disease resistance. However, connectivity could exacerbate the risk of infectious disease spread across vulnerable populations. We tracked the spread of a novel strain of Mycoplasma ovipneumoniae in a metapopulation of desert bighorn sheep Ovis canadensis nelsoni in the Mojave Desert to investigate how variation in connectivity among populations influenced disease outcomes. M. ovipneumoniae was detected throughout the metapopulation, indicating that the relative isolation of many of these populations did not protect them from pathogen invasion. However, we show that connectivity among bighorn sheep populations was correlated with higher immunogenetic diversity, a protective immune response and lower disease prevalence. Variation in protective immunity predicted infection risk in individual bighorn sheep and was associated with heterozygosity at genetic loci linked to adaptive and innate immune signalling. Together, these findings may indicate that population connectivity maintains immunogenetic diversity in bighorn sheep populations in this system and has direct effects on immune responses in individual bighorn sheep and their susceptibility to infection by a deadly pathogen. Our study suggests that the genetic benefits of population connectivity could outweigh the risk of infectious disease spread and supports conservation management that maintains natural connectivity in metapopulations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brian S Dugovich
- Department of Integrative Biology, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon, USA
| | - Brianna R Beechler
- Carlson College of Veterinary Medicine, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon, USA
| | - Brian P Dolan
- Carlson College of Veterinary Medicine, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon, USA
| | - Rachel S Crowhurst
- Department of Fisheries, Wildlife, and Conservation Sciences, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon, USA
| | - Ben J Gonzales
- California Department of Fish and Wildlife, Rancho Cordova, California, USA
| | - Jenny G Powers
- National Park Service, Biological Resources Division, Fort Collins, Colorado, USA
| | - Debra L Hughson
- National Park Service, Mojave National Preserve, Barstow, California, USA
| | - Regina K Vu
- California Department of Fish and Wildlife, Rancho Cordova, California, USA
| | - Clinton W Epps
- Department of Fisheries, Wildlife, and Conservation Sciences, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon, USA
| | - Anna E Jolles
- Department of Integrative Biology, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon, USA.,Carlson College of Veterinary Medicine, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon, USA
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2
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Bowen L, Manlove K, Roug A, Waters S, LaHue N, Wolff P. Using transcriptomics to predict and visualize disease status in bighorn sheep ( Ovis canadensis). CONSERVATION PHYSIOLOGY 2022; 10:coac046. [PMID: 35795016 PMCID: PMC9252122 DOI: 10.1093/conphys/coac046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2021] [Revised: 02/18/2022] [Accepted: 06/17/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Increasing risk of pathogen spillover coupled with overall declines in wildlife population abundance in the Anthropocene make infectious disease a relevant concern for species conservation worldwide. While emerging molecular tools could improve our diagnostic capabilities and give insight into mechanisms underlying wildlife disease risk, they have rarely been applied in practice. Here, employing a previously reported gene transcription panel of common immune markers to track physiological changes, we present a detailed analysis over the course of both acute and chronic infection in one wildlife species where disease plays a critical role in conservation, bighorn sheep (Ovis canadensis). Differential gene transcription patterns distinguished between infection statuses over the course of acute infection and differential correlation (DC) analyses identified clear changes in gene co-transcription patterns over the early stages of infection, with transcription of four genes-TGFb, AHR, IL1b and MX1-continuing to increase even as transcription of other immune-associated genes waned. In a separate analysis, we considered the capacity of the same gene transcription panel to aid in differentiating between chronically infected animals and animals in other disease states outside of acute disease events (an immediate priority for wildlife management in this system). We found that this transcription panel was capable of accurately identifying chronically infected animals in the test dataset, though additional data will be required to determine how far this ability extends. Taken together, our results showcase the successful proof of concept and breadth of potential utilities that gene transcription might provide to wildlife disease management, from direct insight into mechanisms associated with differential disease response to improved diagnostic capacity in the field.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Kezia Manlove
- Department of Wildland Resources and Ecology Center, Utah State University, Logan, UT, 84322, USA
| | - Annette Roug
- Centre for Veterinary Wildlife Studies, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pretoria, Onderstepoort, 0110, South Africa
| | - Shannon Waters
- U.S. Geological Survey, Western Ecological Research Center, Davis, CA, 95616, USA
| | - Nate LaHue
- Nevada Department of Wildlife, Reno, NV, 89512, USA
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3
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Manlove KR, Roug A, Sinclair K, Ricci LE, Hersey KR, Martinez C, Martinez MA, Mower K, Ortega T, Rominger E, Ruhl C, Tatman N, Taylor J. Bighorn sheep show similar in-host responses to the same pathogen strain in two contrasting environments. Ecol Evol 2022; 12:e9109. [PMID: 35866023 PMCID: PMC9288933 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.9109] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2021] [Revised: 06/15/2022] [Accepted: 06/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Ecological context-the biotic and abiotic environment, along with its influence on population mixing dynamics and individual susceptibility-is thought to have major bearing on epidemic outcomes. However, direct comparisons of wildlife disease events in contrasting ecological contexts are often confounded by concurrent differences in host genetics, exposure histories, or pathogen strains. Here, we compare disease dynamics of a Mycoplasma ovipneumoniae spillover event that affected bighorn sheep populations in two contrasting ecological contexts. One event occurred on the herd's home range near the Rio Grande Gorge in New Mexico, while the other occurred in a captive facility at Hardware Ranch in Utah. While data collection regimens varied, general patterns of antibody signal strength and symptom emergence were conserved between the two sites. Symptoms appeared in the captive setting an average of 12.9 days postexposure, average time to seroconversion was 24.9 days, and clinical signs peaked at approximately 36 days postinfection. These patterns were consistent with serological testing and subsequent declines in symptom intensity in the free-ranging herd. At the captive site, older animals exhibited more severe declines in body condition and loin thickness, higher symptom burdens, and slower antibody response to the pathogen than younger animals. Younger animals were more likely than older animals to clear infection by the time of sampling at both sites. The patterns presented here suggest that environment may not be a major determinant of epidemiological outcomes in the bighorn sheep-M. ovipneumoniae system, elevating the possibility that host- or pathogen-factors may be responsible for observed variation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kezia R Manlove
- Department of Wildland Resources and Ecology Center Utah State University Logan Utah USA
| | - Annette Roug
- Utah Division of Wildlife Resources Salt Lake City Utah USA.,Centre for Veterinary Wildlife Research, Faculty of Veterinary Science University of Pretoria Onderstepoort South Africa
| | - Kylie Sinclair
- Department of Wildland Resources and Ecology Center Utah State University Logan Utah USA
| | - Lauren E Ricci
- Department of Wildland Resources and Ecology Center Utah State University Logan Utah USA
| | - Kent R Hersey
- Utah Division of Wildlife Resources Salt Lake City Utah USA
| | | | | | - Kerry Mower
- New Mexico Department of Game and Fish Santa Fe New Mexico USA
| | - Talisa Ortega
- Taos Pueblo Division of Natural Resources Taos New Mexico USA
| | - Eric Rominger
- New Mexico Department of Game and Fish Santa Fe New Mexico USA
| | - Caitlin Ruhl
- New Mexico Department of Game and Fish Santa Fe New Mexico USA
| | - Nicole Tatman
- New Mexico Department of Game and Fish Santa Fe New Mexico USA
| | - Jace Taylor
- Utah Division of Wildlife Resources Salt Lake City Utah USA.,US Fish and Wildlife Service Washington District of Columbia USA
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Riddell P, Paris MCJ, Joonè CJ, Pageat P, Paris DBBP. Appeasing Pheromones for the Management of Stress and Aggression during Conservation of Wild Canids: Could the Solution Be Right under Our Nose? Animals (Basel) 2021; 11:ani11061574. [PMID: 34072227 PMCID: PMC8230031 DOI: 10.3390/ani11061574] [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: 04/16/2021] [Revised: 05/25/2021] [Accepted: 05/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Many canid species are declining globally. It is important to conserve these species that often serve as important predators within ecosystems. Continued human expansion and the resulting habitat fragmentation necessitate conservation interventions, such as translocation, artificial pack formation, and captive breeding programs. However, chronic stress often occurs during these actions, and can result in aggression, and the physiological suppression of immunity and reproduction. Limited options are currently available for stress and aggression management in wild canids. Pheromones provide a promising natural alternative for stress management; an appeasing pheromone has been identified for multiple domestic species and may reduce stress and aggression behaviours. Many pheromones are species-specific, and the appeasing pheromone has been found to have slight compositional changes across species. In this review, the benefits of a dog appeasing pheromone and the need to investigate species-specific derivatives to produce more pronounced and beneficial behavioural and physiological modulation in target species as a conservation tool are examined. Abstract Thirty-six species of canid exist globally, two are classified as critically endangered, three as endangered, and five as near threatened. Human expansion and the coinciding habitat fragmentation necessitate conservation interventions to mitigate concurrent population deterioration. The current conservation management of wild canids includes animal translocation and artificial pack formation. These actions often cause chronic stress, leading to increased aggression and the suppression of the immune and reproductive systems. Castration and pharmaceutical treatments are currently used to reduce stress and aggression in domestic and captive canids. The undesirable side effects make such treatments inadvisable during conservation management of wild canids. Pheromones are naturally occurring chemical messages that modulate behaviour between conspecifics; as such, they offer a natural alternative for behaviour modification. Animals are able to distinguish between pheromones of closely related species through small compositional differences but are more likely to have greater responses to pheromones from individuals of the same species. Appeasing pheromones have been found to reduce stress- and aggression-related behaviours in domestic species, including dogs. Preliminary evidence suggests that dog appeasing pheromones (DAP) may be effective in wild canids. However, the identification and testing of species-specific derivatives could produce more pronounced and beneficial behavioural and physiological changes in target species. In turn, this could provide a valuable tool to improve the conservation management of many endangered wild canids.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pia Riddell
- Gamete and Embryology (GAME) Laboratory, College of Public Health, Medical and Veterinary Sciences, James Cook University, James Cook Drive, Townsville, QLD 4811, Australia;
- Institute for Breeding Rare and Endangered African Mammals (IBREAM), 9 Ainslie Place, Edinburgh EH3 6AT SCT, UK;
- Centre for Tropical Environmental and Sustainability Science, James Cook University, James Cook Drive, Townsville, QLD 4811, Australia
| | - Monique C. J. Paris
- Institute for Breeding Rare and Endangered African Mammals (IBREAM), 9 Ainslie Place, Edinburgh EH3 6AT SCT, UK;
- Mammal Research Institute, Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences, University of Pretoria, Pretoria 0028, South Africa
| | - Carolynne J. Joonè
- Discipline of Veterinary Science, College of Public Health, Medical and Veterinary Sciences, James Cook University, Solander Drive, Townsville, QLD 4811, Australia;
| | - Patrick Pageat
- Institut de Recherche en Sémiochemie et Ethologie Appliquée, 84400 Apt, France;
| | - Damien B. B. P. Paris
- Gamete and Embryology (GAME) Laboratory, College of Public Health, Medical and Veterinary Sciences, James Cook University, James Cook Drive, Townsville, QLD 4811, Australia;
- Institute for Breeding Rare and Endangered African Mammals (IBREAM), 9 Ainslie Place, Edinburgh EH3 6AT SCT, UK;
- Centre for Tropical Environmental and Sustainability Science, James Cook University, James Cook Drive, Townsville, QLD 4811, Australia
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +61-7-4781-6006
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Bowen L, Longshore K, Wolff P, Klinger R, Cox M, Bullock S, Waters S, Miles AK. Gene Transcript Profiling in Desert Bighorn Sheep. WILDLIFE SOC B 2020. [DOI: 10.1002/wsb.1078] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Lizabeth Bowen
- U.S. Geological Survey, Western Ecological Research CenterSacramento CA 95826 USA
| | - Kathleen Longshore
- U.S. Geological Survey, Western Ecological Research CenterSacramento CA 95826 USA
| | - Peregrine Wolff
- Nevada Department of Wildlife 6980 Sierra Center Parkway, Suite 120 Reno NV 89511 USA
| | - Robert Klinger
- U.S. Geological Survey, Western Ecological Research CenterOakhurst CA 93644 USA
| | - Michael Cox
- Nevada Department of Wildlife 6980 Sierra Center Pkwy. Suite 120 Reno NV 89511 USA
| | - Sarah Bullock
- Desert National Wildlife Refuge 16001 Corn Creek Road Las Vegas NV 89124 USA
| | - Shannon Waters
- U.S. Geological Survey, Western Ecological Research CenterSacramento CA 95826 USA
| | - A. Keith Miles
- U.S. Geological Survey, Western Ecological Research CenterSacramento CA 95826 USA
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Dugovich BS, Crane LL, Alcantar BB, Beechler BR, Dolan BP, Jolles AE. Multiple innate antibacterial immune defense elements are correlated in diverse ungulate species. PLoS One 2019; 14:e0225579. [PMID: 31774834 PMCID: PMC6881064 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0225579] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2019] [Accepted: 11/07/2019] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
In this study, we aimed to evaluate to what extent different assays of innate immunity reveal similar patterns of variation across ungulate species. We compared several measures of innate antibacterial immune function across seven different ungulate species using blood samples obtained from captive animals maintained in a zoological park. We measured mRNA expression of two receptors involved in innate pathogen detection, toll-like receptors 2 and 5 (TLR2 and 5), the bactericidal capacity of plasma, as well as the number of neutrophils and lymphocytes. Species examined included aoudad (Ammotragus lervia), American bison (Bison bison bison), yak (Bos grunniens), Roosevelt elk (Cervus canadensis roosevelti), fallow deer (Dama dama), sika deer (Cervus nippon), and Damara zebra (Equus quagga burchellii). Innate immunity varied among ungulate species. However, we detected strong, positive correlations between the different measures of innate immunity-specifically, TLR2 and TLR5 were correlated, and the neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio was positively associated with TLR2, TLR5, and bacterial killing ability. Our results suggest that ecoimmunological study results may be quite robust to the choice of assays, at least for antibacterial innate immunity; and that, despite the complexity of the immune system, important sources of variation in immunity in natural populations may be discoverable with comparatively simple tools.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brian S. Dugovich
- Department of Integrative Biology, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, United States of America
| | - Lucie L. Crane
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, United States of America
| | - Benji B. Alcantar
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, United States of America
- Wildlife Safari, Winston, OR, United States of America
| | - Brianna R. Beechler
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, United States of America
| | - Brian P. Dolan
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, United States of America
| | - Anna E. Jolles
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, United States of America
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7
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Cecchini S, Rufrano D, Caputo AR. Natural antibodies and their relationship with total immunoglobulins and acquired antibody response in goat kid (Capra hircus, L. 1758) serum. Vet Immunol Immunopathol 2019; 211:38-43. [PMID: 31084892 DOI: 10.1016/j.vetimm.2019.04.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2018] [Revised: 04/15/2019] [Accepted: 04/19/2019] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Natural antibodies (NAb) are antibodies that can bind to a particular antigen without any apparent antigenic stimulation. In this paper, a careful analysis has been carried out on NAb levels in goat kid serum; possible correlations with the total immunoglobulin (tot-Ig) levels and specific antibody (SpAb) response were considered. Twenty randomly chosen kids were submitted to a first blood sampling (day 0). After 60 and 100 days, new blood samplings were carried out in the same animals. On day 0, after blood collection, all animals were immunized with a commercial vaccine; the immunization was repeated 30 days apart. Some exogenous antigens were tested to verify their immunoreactivity to NAb. Among them, the synthetic hapten 2,4,6-trinitrophenyl (TNP) conjugated with bovine serum albumin, resulted as the antigen with the higher immunoreactivity to NAb. Tot-Ig levels increased over time (p < 0.001). On the contrary, NAb levels, both IgG- and IgM-isotypes, significantly decreased during the experimental period (p < 0.001 and <0.05, respectively). Linear regression analyses showed a high correlation between IgM-NAb and tot-IgM levels (p < 0.001) at all the evaluated sampling times. However, a significant correlation between IgG-NAb and IgM-NAb was found only at the 1st (p < 0.01) and at the 2nd sampling (p < 0.05). No significant correlations were found between SpAb response and the other assessed humoral immune parameters. The obtained results are discussed in the light of the possible use of NAb assessment for the evaluation of the immune system activity in goat.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Cecchini
- Department of Sciences, University of Basilicata, Viale dell'Ateneo Lucano 10, 85100 Potenza, Italy.
| | - D Rufrano
- Veterinarian Consultant, 84020 Petina SA, Italy
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Glidden CK, Beechler B, Buss PE, Charleston B, de Klerk-Lorist LM, Maree FF, Muller T, Pérez-Martin E, Scott KA, van Schalkwyk OL, Jolles A. Detection of Pathogen Exposure in African Buffalo Using Non-Specific Markers of Inflammation. Front Immunol 2018; 8:1944. [PMID: 29375568 PMCID: PMC5768611 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2017.01944] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2017] [Accepted: 12/18/2017] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Detecting exposure to new or emerging pathogens is a critical challenge to protecting human, domestic animal, and wildlife health. Yet, current techniques to detect infections typically target known pathogens of humans or economically important animals. In the face of the current surge in infectious disease emergence, non-specific disease surveillance tools are urgently needed. Tracking common host immune responses indicative of recent infection may have potential as a non-specific diagnostic approach for disease surveillance. The challenge to immunologists is to identify the most promising markers, which ideally should be highly conserved across pathogens and host species, become upregulated rapidly and consistently in response to pathogen invasion, and remain elevated beyond clearance of infection. This study combined an infection experiment and a longitudinal observational study to evaluate the utility of non-specific markers of inflammation [NSMI; two acute phase proteins (haptoglobin and serum amyloid A), two pro-inflammatory cytokines (IFNγ and TNF-α)] as indicators of pathogen exposure in a wild mammalian species, African buffalo (Syncerus caffer). Specifically, in the experimental study, we asked (1) How quickly do buffalo mount NSMI responses upon challenge with an endemic pathogen, foot-and-mouth disease virus; (2) for how long do NSMI remain elevated after viral clearance and; (3) how pronounced is the difference between peak NSMI concentration and baseline NSMI concentration? In the longitudinal study, we asked (4) Are elevated NSMI associated with recent exposure to a suite of bacterial and viral respiratory pathogens in a wild population? Among the four NSMI that we tested, haptoglobin showed the strongest potential as a surveillance marker in African buffalo: concentrations quickly and consistently reached high levels in response to experimental infection, remaining elevated for almost a month. Moreover, elevated haptoglobin was indicative of recent exposure to two respiratory pathogens assessed in the longitudinal study. We hope this work motivates studies investigating suites of NSMI as indicators for pathogen exposure in a broader range of both pathogen and host species, potentially transforming how we track disease burden in natural populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caroline K Glidden
- Department of Integrative Biology, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, United States
| | - Brianna Beechler
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, United States
| | - Peter Erik Buss
- SANPARKS, Veterinary Wildlife Services, Skukuza, South Africa
| | | | - Lin-Mari de Klerk-Lorist
- Office of the State Veterinarian, Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, Skukuza, South Africa
| | - Francois Frederick Maree
- Vaccine and Diagnostic Development Programme, Transboundary Animal Diseases, Onderstepoort Veterinary Institute, Agricultural Research Council, Onderstepoort, South Africa.,Department of Microbiology and Plant Pathology, Faculty of Agricultural and Natural Sciences, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Timothy Muller
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, United States
| | | | - Katherine Anne Scott
- Vaccine and Diagnostic Development Programme, Transboundary Animal Diseases, Onderstepoort Veterinary Institute, Agricultural Research Council, Onderstepoort, South Africa
| | - Ockert Louis van Schalkwyk
- Office of the State Veterinarian, Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, Skukuza, South Africa
| | - Anna Jolles
- Department of Integrative Biology, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, United States.,College of Veterinary Medicine, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, United States
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