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Harman PR, Mendell NL, Harman MM, Draney PA, Boyle AT, Gompper ME, Orr TJ, Bouyer DH, Teel PD, Hanley KA. Science abhors a surveillance vacuum: Detection of ticks and tick-borne pathogens in southern New Mexico through passive surveillance. PLoS One 2024; 19:e0292573. [PMID: 38295027 PMCID: PMC10830002 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0292573] [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: 09/22/2023] [Accepted: 01/02/2024] [Indexed: 02/02/2024] Open
Abstract
Robust tick surveillance enhances diagnosis and prevention of tick-borne pathogens, yet surveillance efforts in the United States are highly uneven, resulting in large surveillance vacuums, one of which spans the state of New Mexico. As part of a larger effort to fill this vacuum, we conducted both active and passive tick sampling in New Mexico, focusing on the southern portion of the state. We conducted active tick sampling using dragging and CO₂ trapping at 45 sites across Hidalgo, Doña Ana, Otero, and Eddy counties between June 2021 to May 2022. Sampling occurred intermittently, with at least one sampling event each month from June to October 2021, pausing in winter and resuming in March through May 2022. We also conducted opportunistic, passive tick sampling in 2021 and 2022 from animals harvested by hunters or captured or collected by researchers and animals housed in animal hospitals, shelters, and farms. All pools of ticks were screened for Rickettsia rickettsii, Rickettsia parkeri, Rickettsia amblyommatis, Ehrlichia ewingii, and Ehrlichia chaffeensis. Active sampling yielded no ticks. Passive sampling yielded 497 ticks comprising Carios kelleyi from pallid bats, Rhipicephalus sanguineus from dogs, mule deer, and Rocky Mountain elk, Otobius megnini from dogs, cats, horses, and Coues deer, Dermacentor parumapertus from dogs and black-tailed jackrabbits, Dermacentor albipictus from domesticated cats, mule deer and Rocky Mountain elk, and Dermacentor spp. from American black bear, Rocky Mountain elk, and mule deer. One pool of D. parumapterus from a black-tailed jackrabbit in Luna County tested positive for R. parkeri, an agent of spotted fever rickettsiosis. Additionally, a spotted fever group Rickettsia was detected in 6 of 7 C. kelleyi pools. Two ticks showed morphological abnormalities; however, these samples did not test positive for any of the target pathogens, and the cause of the abnormalities is unknown. Passive surveillance yielded five identified species of ticks from three domestic and six wild mammal species. Our findings update tick distributions and inform the public, medical, and veterinary communities of the potential tick-borne pathogens present in southern New Mexico.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paige R. Harman
- Department of Biology, New Mexico State University, Las Cruces, New Mexico, United States of America
| | - Nicole L. Mendell
- Department of Pathology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, United States of America
| | - Maysee M. Harman
- Department of Biology, New Mexico State University, Las Cruces, New Mexico, United States of America
| | - Puck A. Draney
- Department of Biology, New Mexico State University, Las Cruces, New Mexico, United States of America
| | - Anna T. Boyle
- Department of Fish, Wildlife and Conservation Ecology, New Mexico State University, 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
| | - Teri J. Orr
- Department of Biology, New Mexico State University, Las Cruces, New Mexico, United States of America
| | - Donald H. Bouyer
- Department of Pathology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, United States of America
| | - Pete D. Teel
- Department of Entomology, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, United States of America
| | - Kathryn A. Hanley
- Department of Biology, New Mexico State University, Las Cruces, New Mexico, United States of America
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Clothier KA, Watson KD, Mete A, Giannitti F, Anderson M, Munk B, McMillin S, Clifford DL, Rudd J, Shirkey N, Famini D, Woods L. Generalized dermatophytosis caused by Trichophyton equinum in 8 juvenile black bears in California. J Vet Diagn Invest 2021; 34:279-283. [PMID: 34841977 DOI: 10.1177/10406387211061143] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
From 2014-2019, 8 juvenile black bears (Ursus americanus) from different geographic regions were presented to the California Department of Fish and Wildlife because of emaciation, alopecia, and exfoliative dermatitis that resulted in death or euthanasia. Autopsy and histopathology revealed that all 8 bears had generalized hyperkeratotic dermatitis, folliculitis, and furunculosis. Skin structures were heavily colonized by fungal hyphae and arthrospores; fungal cultures of skin from 7 bears yielded Trichophyton equinum, a zoophilic dermatophyte reported only rarely in non-equid species. Additional skin conditions included mites (5), ticks (2), and coagulase-negative Staphylococcus sp. infections (2). No other causes of morbidity or mortality were identified. Molecular comparisons performed at the University of Texas Fungal Reference Laboratory determined that all isolates produced identical banding patterns, potentially representing a clonal population. Dermatophytosis is commonly localized and limited to the stratum corneum of the epidermis and hair follicles. Generalized disease with dermal involvement is rare in immunocompetent individuals; illness, malnutrition, age, or immunosuppression may increase susceptibility. Underlying causes for the severe disease impact in these bears were not evident after physical or postmortem examination. The mechanism by which bears from different geographic locations had severe, T. equinum-associated dermatophytosis from a potentially clonal dermatophyte could not be explained and warrants further investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristin A Clothier
- California Animal Health and Food Safety Laboratory System, University of California-Davis, CA, USA
| | - Katherine D Watson
- California Animal Health and Food Safety Laboratory System, University of California-Davis, CA, USA
| | - Aslı Mete
- California Animal Health and Food Safety Laboratory System, University of California-Davis, CA, USA
| | - Federico Giannitti
- Instituto Nacional de Investigación Agropecuaria (INIA), Plataforma de Investigación en Salud Animal, La Estanzuela, Colonia, Uruguay, and Veterinary Population Medicine Department, University of Minnesota, Saint Paul, MN, USA
| | - Mark Anderson
- California Animal Health and Food Safety Laboratory System, University of California-Davis, CA, USA
| | - Brandon Munk
- California Department of Fish and Wildlife, Rancho Cordova, CA, USA
| | - Stella McMillin
- California Department of Fish and Wildlife, Rancho Cordova, CA, USA
| | - Deana L Clifford
- California Department of Fish and Wildlife, Rancho Cordova, CA, USA
| | - Jaime Rudd
- California Department of Fish and Wildlife, Rancho Cordova, CA, USA
| | - Nicholas Shirkey
- California Department of Fish and Wildlife, Rancho Cordova, CA, USA
| | - Dan Famini
- Sonoma County Wildlife Rescue, Petaluma, CA, USA
| | - Leslie Woods
- California Animal Health and Food Safety Laboratory System, University of California-Davis, CA, USA
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Seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii in American Black Bears (Ursus americanus) in Nevada, USA, using an Enzyme-linked Immunosorbent Assay. J Wildl Dis 2021; 57:408-412. [PMID: 33822154 DOI: 10.7589/jwd-d-20-00066] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2020] [Accepted: 08/18/2020] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Archived serum samples taken between 1997 and 2017 from 170 American black bears (Ursus americanus) in the Lake Tahoe area between California and Nevada, US, were tested for Toxoplasma antibodies to assess the seroprevalence of this agent. Samples were screened using a commercial porcine Toxoplasma (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay [ELISA]) modified with Protein A/G peroxidase and compared to a traditional fluorescent antibody test. Results were analyzed to determine if there were differences in seroprevalence based on the test used, sex of bears, or habitat usage (urban-suburban vs. wildland). No significant differences in seroprevalence were attributable to any of these parameters. The overall seropositivity for bears was 36% (62/170), with urban-suburban bears scoring lower (31%; 37/119) than rural-wildland bears (40%; 18/45). Our results strongly support the use of a Protein A/G-modified ELISA for determining Toxoplasma exposure in black bears. We found somewhat lower levels of Toxoplasma antibodies in black bears from this region than in several reports from populations in the eastern US.
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Dubey JP, Murata FHA, Cerqueira-Cézar CK, Kwok OCH, Su C. EPIDEMIOLOGIC AND PUBLIC HEALTH SIGNIFICANCE OF TOXOPLASMA GONDII INFECTIONS IN BEARS (URSUS SPP.): A 50 YEAR REVIEW INCLUDING RECENT GENETIC EVIDENCE. J Parasitol 2021; 107:519-528. [PMID: 34167147 DOI: 10.1645/21-16] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii infections are common in humans and animals worldwide. The present review summarizes worldwide information on the prevalence of clinical and subclinical infections, epidemiology, and genetic diversity of T. gondii infections in bears. Seroprevalence estimates of T. gondii in black bears (Ursus americanus) are one of the highest of all animals. In Pennsylvania, seroprevalence is around 80% and has remained stable for the past 4 decades. Approximately 3,500 bears are hunted yearly in Pennsylvania alone. The validity of different serological tests is discussed based on bioassay and serological comparisons. Seroprevalence in grizzly bears (Ursus arctos) is lower than that in black bears. Even polar bears (Ursus maritimus) are infected; infections in these animals are ecologically interesting because of the absence of felids in the Arctic. Clinical toxoplasmosis in bears is rare and not documented in adult animals. The few reports of fatal toxoplasmosis in young bears need confirmation. Viable T. gondii has been isolated from black bears and a grizzly bear. The genetic diversity of isolates based on DNA from viable T. gondii isolates is discussed. Genetic typing of a total of 26 T. gondii samples from bears using 10 PCR-RFLP markers revealed 8 PCR-RFLP ToxoDB genotypes: #1 (clonal type II) in 3 samples, #2 (clonal type III) in 8 samples, #4 (haplogroup 12) in 3 samples, #5 (haplogroup 12) in 3 samples, #74 in 5 samples, #90 in 1 sample, #147 in 1 sample, and #216 in 2 samples. These results suggest relatively high genetic diversity of T. gondii in bears. Overall, T. gondii isolates in bears range from those circulating in a domestic cycle (genotypes #1 and #2) to those mainly associated with wildlife (such as genotypes #4 and #5, together known as haplogroup 12). A patient who acquired clinical Trichinella spiralis infection after eating undercooked bear meat also acquired T. gondii infection. Freezing of infected meat kills T. gondii, including the strains isolated from bears.
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Affiliation(s)
- J P Dubey
- U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Animal Parasitic Diseases Laboratory, Beltsville Agricultural Research Center, Building 1001, Beltsville, Maryland 20705-2350
| | - F H A Murata
- U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Animal Parasitic Diseases Laboratory, Beltsville Agricultural Research Center, Building 1001, Beltsville, Maryland 20705-2350
| | - C K Cerqueira-Cézar
- U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Animal Parasitic Diseases Laboratory, Beltsville Agricultural Research Center, Building 1001, Beltsville, Maryland 20705-2350
| | - O C H Kwok
- U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Animal Parasitic Diseases Laboratory, Beltsville Agricultural Research Center, Building 1001, Beltsville, Maryland 20705-2350
| | - C Su
- Department of Microbiology, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Tennessee 37996-0845
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Serologic Survey for West Nile Virus in Wild Boars (Sus scrofa) in Poland. J Wildl Dis 2021; 57:168-171. [PMID: 33635970 DOI: 10.7589/jwd-d-19-00004] [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: 11/25/2019] [Accepted: 06/07/2020] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Serum samples obtained from 474 wild boars (Sus scrofa) were collected from June 2017 to September 2018 from various areas of northern and southern Poland. Serum samples were examined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. However, West Nile virus (WNV) antibodies were not detected. Previous studies on WNV in Poland have focused on experimental evidence and the presence of WNV antibodies in wild birds, horses, and humans, indicating a need for more surveys of domestic and wild mammals in Poland.
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Alex CE, Fahsbender E, Altan E, Bildfell R, Wolff P, Jin L, Black W, Jackson K, Woods L, Munk B, Tse T, Delwart E, Pesavento PA. Viruses in unexplained encephalitis cases in American black bears (Ursus americanus). PLoS One 2020; 15:e0244056. [PMID: 33332429 PMCID: PMC7745964 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0244056] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2020] [Accepted: 12/02/2020] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Viral infections were investigated in American black bears (Ursus americanus) from Nevada and northern California with and without idiopathic encephalitis. Metagenomics analyses of tissue pools revealed novel viruses in the genera Circoviridae, Parvoviridae, Anelloviridae, Polyomaviridae, and Papillomaviridae. The circovirus and parvovirus were of particular interest due to their potential importance as pathogens. We characterized the genomes of these viruses and subsequently screened bears by PCR to determine their prevalence. The circovirus (Ursus americanus circovirus, UaCV) was detected at a high prevalence (10/16, 67%), and the chaphamaparvovirus (Ursus americanus parvovirus, UaPV) was found in a single bear. We showed that UaCV is present in liver, spleen/lymph node, and brain tissue of selected cases by in situ hybridization (ISH) and PCR. Infections were detected in cases of idiopathic encephalitis and in cases without inflammatory brain lesions. Infection status was not clearly correlated with disease, and the significance of these infections remains unclear. Given the known pathogenicity of a closely related mammalian circovirus, and the complex manifestations of circovirus-associated diseases, we suggest that UaCV warrants further study as a possible cause or contributor to disease in American black bears.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charles E. Alex
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology, and Immunology, University of California—Davis School of Veterinary Medicine, Davis, California, United States of America
| | - Elizabeth Fahsbender
- Vitalant Research Institute, San Francisco, California, United States of America
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, University of California—San Francisco, San Francisco, California, United States of America
| | - Eda Altan
- Vitalant Research Institute, San Francisco, California, United States of America
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, University of California—San Francisco, San Francisco, California, United States of America
| | - Robert Bildfell
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Carlson College of Veterinary Medicine, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon, United States of America
- Oregon Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory, Carlson College of Veterinary Medicine, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon, United States of America
| | - Peregrine Wolff
- Nevada Department of Wildlife, Reno, Nevada, United States of America
| | - Ling Jin
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Carlson College of Veterinary Medicine, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon, United States of America
- Oregon Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory, Carlson College of Veterinary Medicine, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon, United States of America
| | - Wendy Black
- Oregon Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory, Carlson College of Veterinary Medicine, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon, United States of America
| | - Kenneth Jackson
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology, and Immunology, University of California—Davis School of Veterinary Medicine, Davis, California, United States of America
| | - Leslie Woods
- California Animal Health and Food Safety Laboratory, Davis, California, United States of America
| | - Brandon Munk
- California Department of Fish and Wildlife, Rancho Cordova, California, United States of America
| | - Tiffany Tse
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology, and Immunology, University of California—Davis School of Veterinary Medicine, Davis, California, United States of America
| | - Eric Delwart
- Vitalant Research Institute, San Francisco, California, United States of America
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, University of California—San Francisco, San Francisco, California, United States of America
| | - Patricia A. Pesavento
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology, and Immunology, University of California—Davis School of Veterinary Medicine, Davis, California, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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Di Salvo AR, Chomel BB. Zoonoses and potential zoonoses of bears. Zoonoses Public Health 2019; 67:3-13. [PMID: 31828973 DOI: 10.1111/zph.12674] [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: 07/23/2019] [Revised: 11/10/2019] [Accepted: 11/20/2019] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Captive and free-ranging wild bears can carry and transmit several zoonotic pathogens. A review of nearly 90 years of scientific publications concerning confirmed and potential zoonotic diseases that can be present in any of the eight species of bears in the world was conducted. The findings were organized amongst the following disease sections: bacterial, viral, protozoal, mycotic, helminth and arthropod-borne. The most commonly reported pathogens of concern were of parasitic (Trichinella, Toxoplasma) and bacterial (Francisella, Brucella) origin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew R Di Salvo
- Karen C. Drayer Wildlife Health Center, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, California.,Wildlife Investigations Laboratory, California Department of Fish and Wildlife, Rancho Cordova, California
| | - Bruno B Chomel
- Department of Population Health and Reproduction, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, California
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PATHOGEN PREVALANCE IN AMERICAN BLACK BEARS (URSUS AMERICANUS AMBLYCEPS) OF THE JEMEZ MOUNTAINS, NEW MEXICO, USA. J Wildl Dis 2019. [DOI: 10.7589/2018-12-286] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
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