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Brown JD, Muston BT, Massey J. Switching from natalizumab to an anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody in relapsing remitting multiple sclerosis: A systematic review. Mult Scler Relat Disord 2024; 86:105605. [PMID: 38640586 DOI: 10.1016/j.msard.2024.105605] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2023] [Revised: 04/04/2024] [Accepted: 04/07/2024] [Indexed: 04/21/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Use of natalizumab (NTZ) is precluded in many Multiple Sclerosis (MS) patients by the risk of progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML). Regardless, some patients may commence natalizumab for short term disease control in spite of being seropositive, and others may seroconvert whilst on treatment. In these circumstances, discontinuation of NTZ should not occur until a clear exit strategy is established to prevent post-NTZ disease reactivation, which often exceeds the severity of disease activity prior to NTZ treatment. The objective of this systematic review was to summarise the available evidence for CD20-monoclonal antibodies (CD20mAb) as a suitable NTZ exit strategy, and to identify whether a superior switch protocol can be established. METHODS In accordance with PRISMA guidelines, a total of 2393 references were extracted from a search of three online databases (PubMed, Scopus, MEDLINE). Following the application of inclusion/exclusion criteria, a total of 5 studies representing 331 patients were included. RESULTS The overall incidence of clinical relapse during washout periods ranging from 4.4-10.7 weeks was 0 %. The incidence of clinical relapse during two-year follow-up ranged from 1.8 % to 10 % for switches to all types of CD20 monoclonal antibody. The weighted mean for clinical relapse at 12 months was 8.8 %. Three studies reported an annualised relapse rate (ARR) ranging from 0.02-0.12 with a weighted mean ARR of 0.07. The overall incidence of PML during washout was 0 % and the overall incidence of PML within 6 months follow-up was 0.6 %. CONCLUSIONS This systematic review provides the first attempt at identifying a superior switch protocol in patients at risk of PML transitioning from NTZ to a CD20mAb. Our results indicate that CD20mAb's are a suitable transitional option for patients who discontinue NTZ, with our cohort demonstrating very low rates of carryover PML and low rates of clinical relapse. The most appropriate washout period is unclear due to confounding factors but is likely between 4 and 12 weeks.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Benjamin T Muston
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia; The Collaborative Research Group (CORE), Sydney, Australia
| | - Jennifer Massey
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia; Neurology Department, St Vincent's Hospital Sydney, Australia
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2
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Tiffin HS, Brown JD, Ternent M, Snavely B, Carrollo E, Kibe E, Buderman FE, Mullinax JM, Machtinger ET. Resolution of Clinical Signs of Sarcoptic Mange in American Black Bears (Ursus americanus), in Ivermectin-Treated and Nontreated Individuals. J Wildl Dis 2024; 60:434-447. [PMID: 38305090 DOI: 10.7589/jwd-d-23-00134] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2023] [Accepted: 10/31/2023] [Indexed: 02/03/2024]
Abstract
The parasitic mite Sarcoptes scabiei causes mange in nearly 150 species of mammals by burrowing under the skin, triggering hypersensitivity responses that can alter animals' behavior and result in extreme weight loss, secondary infections, and even death. Since the 1990s, sarcoptic mange has increased in incidence and geographic distribution in Pennsylvania black bear (Ursus americanus) populations, including expansion into other states. Recovery from mange in free-ranging wildlife has rarely been evaluated. Following the Pennsylvania Game Commission's standard operating procedures at the time of the study, treatment consisted of one subcutaneous injection of ivermectin. To evaluate black bear survival and recovery from mange, from 2018 to 2020 we fitted 61 bears, including 43 with mange, with GPS collars to track their movements and recovery. Bears were collared in triplicates according to sex and habitat, consisting of one bear without mange (healthy control), one scabietic bear treated with ivermectin when collared, and one untreated scabietic bear. Bears were reevaluated for signs of mange during annual den visits, if recaptured during the study period, and after mortality events. Disease status and recovery from mange was determined based on outward gross appearance and presence of S. scabiei mites from skin scrapes. Of the 36 scabietic bears with known recovery status, 81% fully recovered regardless of treatment, with 88% recovered with treatment and 74% recovered without treatment. All bears with no, low, or moderate mite burdens (<16 mites on skin scrapes) fully recovered from mange (n=20), and nearly half of bears with severe mite burden (≥16 mites) fully recovered (n=5, 42%). However, nonrecovered status did not indicate mortality, and mange-related mortality was infrequent. Most bears were able to recover from mange irrespective of treatment, potentially indicating a need for reevaluation of the mange wildlife management paradigm.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hannah S Tiffin
- Department of Entomology, Pennsylvania State University, 4 Chemical Ecology Laboratory, University Park, Pennsylvania 16802, USA
| | - Justin D Brown
- Department of Veterinary & Biomedical Sciences, Pennsylvania State University, 108D AVBS Building, Shortlidge Rd., University Park, Pennsylvania 16802, USA
| | - Mark Ternent
- Pennsylvania Game Commission, 2001 Elmerton Ave., Harrisburg, Pennsylvania 17110, USA
| | - Brandon Snavely
- Pennsylvania Game Commission, 2001 Elmerton Ave., Harrisburg, Pennsylvania 17110, USA
| | - Emily Carrollo
- Pennsylvania Game Commission, 2001 Elmerton Ave., Harrisburg, Pennsylvania 17110, USA
| | - Ethan Kibe
- Pennsylvania Game Commission, 2001 Elmerton Ave., Harrisburg, Pennsylvania 17110, USA
| | - Frances E Buderman
- Department of Ecosystem Science & Management, Pennsylvania State University, 401 Forest Resources Building, University Park, Pennsylvania 16802, USA
| | - Jennifer M Mullinax
- Department of Environmental Science & Technology, University of Maryland, 1433 Animal Science Building, 8127 Regents Dr., College Park, Maryland 20742, USA
| | - Erika T Machtinger
- Department of Entomology, Pennsylvania State University, 4 Chemical Ecology Laboratory, University Park, Pennsylvania 16802, USA
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Yabsley MJ, Garrett KB, Thompson AT, Box EK, Giner MR, Haynes E, Barron H, Schneider RM, Coker SM, Beasley JC, Borchert EJ, Tumlison R, Surf A, Dukes CG, Olfenbuttel C, Brown JD, Swanepoel L, Cleveland CA. Otterly diverse - A high diversity of Dracunculus species (Spirurida: Dracunculoidea) in North American river otters ( Lontra canadensis). Int J Parasitol Parasites Wildl 2024; 23:100922. [PMID: 38516639 PMCID: PMC10955650 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijppaw.2024.100922] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2024] [Revised: 03/01/2024] [Accepted: 03/02/2024] [Indexed: 03/23/2024]
Abstract
The genus Dracunculus contains numerous species of subcutaneous parasites of mammals and reptiles. In North America, there are at least three mammal-infecting species of Dracunculus. Reports of Dracunculus infections have been reported from river otters (Lontra canadensis) since the early 1900s; however, little is known about the species infecting otters or their ecology. Most reports of Dracunculus do not have a definitive species identified because females, the most common sex found due to their larger size and location in the extremities of the host, lack distinguishing morphological characteristics, and few studies have used molecular methods to confirm identifications. Thus, outside of Ontario, Canada, where both D. insignis and D. lutrae have been confirmed in otters, the species of Dracunculus in river otters is unknown. In the current study, molecular characterization of nematodes from river otters revealed a high diversity of Dracunculus species. In addition to confirming D. insignis infections, two new clades were detected. One clade was a novel species in any host and the other was a clade previously detected in Virginia opossums (Didelphis virginiana) from the USA and a domestic dog from Spain. No infections with D. lutrae were detected and neither new lineage was genetically similar to D. jaguape, which was recently described from a neotropical otter (Lontra longicaudis) from Argentina. These data also indicate that Dracunculus spp. infections in otters are widespread throughout Eastern North America. Currently the life cycles for most of the Dracunculus spp. infecting otters are unknown. Studies on the diversity, life cycle, and natural history of Dracunculidae parasites in wildlife are important because the related parasite, D. medinensis (human Guinea worm) is the subject of an international eradication campaign and there are increasing reports of these parasites in new geographic locations and new hosts, including new species in humans and domestic dogs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael J. Yabsley
- Southeastern Cooperative Wildlife Disease Study, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, 30602, USA
- Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, 30602, USA
- Center for Ecology of Infectious Diseases, Athens, GA, 30602, USA
| | - Kayla B. Garrett
- Southeastern Cooperative Wildlife Disease Study, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, 30602, USA
- Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, 30602, USA
| | - Alec T. Thompson
- Southeastern Cooperative Wildlife Disease Study, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, 30602, USA
- Center for Ecology of Infectious Diseases, Athens, GA, 30602, USA
| | - Erin K. Box
- Southeastern Cooperative Wildlife Disease Study, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, 30602, USA
| | - Madeline R. Giner
- Southeastern Cooperative Wildlife Disease Study, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, 30602, USA
| | - Ellen Haynes
- Southeastern Cooperative Wildlife Disease Study, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, 30602, USA
| | - Heather Barron
- Clinic for the Rehabilitation of Wildlife, Sanibel, FL, 33957, USA
| | | | - Sarah M. Coker
- Southeastern Cooperative Wildlife Disease Study, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, 30602, USA
| | - James C. Beasley
- Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, 30602, USA
- Savannah River Ecology Laboratory, University of Georgia, Aiken, SC, USA
| | - Ernest J. Borchert
- Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, 30602, USA
- Savannah River Ecology Laboratory, University of Georgia, Aiken, SC, USA
| | - Renn Tumlison
- Applied Science and Technology, Henderson State University, Arkadelphia, AR, 71999, USA
| | - Allison Surf
- Applied Science and Technology, Henderson State University, Arkadelphia, AR, 71999, USA
| | - Casey G. Dukes
- Southeastern Cooperative Wildlife Disease Study, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, 30602, USA
- North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission, NCSU Centennial Campus, 1751 Varsity Drive, Raleigh, NC, 27606, USA
| | - Colleen Olfenbuttel
- North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission, NCSU Centennial Campus, 1751 Varsity Drive, Raleigh, NC, 27606, USA
| | - Justin D. Brown
- Department of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, 16802, USA
| | - Liandrie Swanepoel
- Southeastern Cooperative Wildlife Disease Study, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, 30602, USA
| | - Christopher A. Cleveland
- Southeastern Cooperative Wildlife Disease Study, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, 30602, USA
- Center for Ecology of Infectious Diseases, Athens, GA, 30602, USA
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Brown JD, Battaglia E, Engdahl S, Levay G, Parks AC, Skinner E, O'Malley MK. Touching reality: Bridging the user-researcher divide in upper-limb prosthetics. Sci Robot 2023; 8:eadk9421. [PMID: 37878688 DOI: 10.1126/scirobotics.adk9421] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/27/2023]
Abstract
Realistically improving upper-limb prostheses is only possible if we listen to users' actual technological needs.
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Affiliation(s)
- J D Brown
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - E Battaglia
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
| | - S Engdahl
- American Orthotic and Prosthetic Association, Alexandria, VA, USA
| | - G Levay
- Infinite Biomedical Technologies, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Széchenyi István University, Győr, Hungary
| | - A C Parks
- Academic Affairs, Metropolitan Campus, Cuyahoga Community College, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - E Skinner
- Independent Researcher, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - M K O'Malley
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Rice University, Houston, TX, USA
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5
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MacDonald AM, Johnson JB, Casalena MJ, Nemeth NM, Kunkel M, Blake M, Brown JD. Active and passive disease surveillance in wild turkeys (
Meleagris gallopavo
) from 2008 to 2018 in Pennsylvania, USA. WILDLIFE SOC B 2022. [DOI: 10.1002/wsb.1289] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Amanda M. MacDonald
- Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph 419 Gordon Street Guelph ON N1G 2W1 Canada
| | - Joshua B. Johnson
- Pennsylvania Game Commission, 2001 Elmerton Avenue Harrisburg PA 17110‐9797 USA
| | - Mary Jo Casalena
- Pennsylvania Game Commission, 2001 Elmerton Avenue Harrisburg PA 17110‐9797 USA
| | - Nicole M. Nemeth
- Southeastern Cooperative Wildlife Disease Study, University of Georgia, 589 D. W. Brooks Drive Athens GA 30602 USA
| | - Melanie Kunkel
- Southeastern Cooperative Wildlife Disease Study, University of Georgia, 589 D. W. Brooks Drive Athens GA 30602 USA
| | - Mitchell Blake
- National Wild Turkey Federation, 770 Augusta Road, Edgefield, SC 29824 USA
| | - Justin D. Brown
- Department of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences Pennsylvania State University, 115 Henning Building, University Park PA 16802 USA
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Feng KH, Brown JD, Turner GG, Holmes EC, Allison AB. Unrecognized diversity of mammalian orthoreoviruses in North American bats. Virology 2022; 571:1-11. [DOI: 10.1016/j.virol.2022.03.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2022] [Revised: 03/29/2022] [Accepted: 03/29/2022] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
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7
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Niedringhaus KD, Ganoe LS, Lovallo M, Walter WD, Yabsley MJ, Brown JD. Fatal infection with Versteria sp. in a muskrat, with implications for human health. J Vet Diagn Invest 2021; 34:314-318. [PMID: 34933615 DOI: 10.1177/10406387211064270] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The Taeniidae tapeworms are a family of helminths that have a similar life cycle, with intermediate hosts developing characteristic cysts in visceral organs. We describe here a case in Pennsylvania, USA, of fatal Versteria infection in a muskrat (Ondatra zibethicus), which, to our knowledge, has not been reported to develop disease associated with infection. Postmortem examination revealed widespread tissue loss and replacement by solid-bodied cestode larvae with minimal adjacent inflammation in many visceral organs, most severe in the lungs, liver, and brain. Key morphologic features via histology included cephalic structures and short rostellar hooklets, which are characteristic for the genus. Genetic characterization confirmed the cestode as being an undescribed lineage of Versteria that has been implicated as the cause of severe morbidity and mortality in humans and nonhuman primates in North America. Considering the zoonotic significance of this pathogen, our report expands on the limited literature regarding disease caused by Versteria and emphasizes the need to identify the causative tapeworm more accurately, especially in rodent intermediate hosts given that previous reports do not have molecular confirmation of species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kevin D Niedringhaus
- Southeastern Cooperative Wildlife Disease Study, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA.,Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital, University of California-Davis, Davis, CA, USA
| | - Laken S Ganoe
- Pennsylvania Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, Department of Ecosystem Science and Management, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA.,The University of Rhode Island, Kingston, RI, USA
| | - Matthew Lovallo
- College of the Environmental and Life Sciences, Department of Natural Resources Science, Pennsylvania Game Commission, Bureau of Wildlife Management, Harrisburg, PA, USA
| | - W David Walter
- U.S. Geological Survey, Pennsylvania Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA
| | - Michael J Yabsley
- Southeastern Cooperative Wildlife Disease Study, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA.,Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA
| | - Justin D Brown
- Department of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA
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8
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Ganoe LS, Brown JD, Lovallo MJ, Yabsley MJ, Garrett KB, Thompson AT, Poppenga RH, Ruder MG, Walter WD. Surveillance for diseases, pathogens, and toxicants of muskrat (Ondatra zibethicus) in Pennsylvania and surrounding regions. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0260987. [PMID: 34882733 PMCID: PMC8659318 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0260987] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2021] [Accepted: 11/19/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Using diagnostic data and contemporary sampling efforts, we conducted surveillance for a diversity of pathogens, toxicants, and diseases of muskrats (Ondatra zibethicus). Between 1977 and 2019, 26 diagnostic cases were examined from Kansas and throughout the Southeast and Mid-Atlantic, USA. We identified multiple causes of mortality in muskrats, but trauma (8/26), Tyzzer's disease (5/6), and cysticercosis (5/26) were the most common. We also conducted necropsies, during November 2018-January 2019 Pennsylvania muskrat trapping season, on 380 trapper-harvested muskrat carcasses after the pelt was removed. Tissue samples and exudate were tested for presence of or exposure to a suite of pathogens and contaminants. Gastrointestinal tracts were examined for helminths. Intestinal helminths were present in 39.2% of necropsied muskrats, with Hymenolepis spp. (62%) and echinostome spp. (44%) being the most common Molecular testing identified a low prevalence of infection with Clostridium piliforme in the feces and Sarcocystis spp. in the heart. We detected a low seroprevalence to Toxoplasma gondii (1/380). No muskrats were positive for Francisella tularensis or Babesia spp. Cysticercosis was detected in 20% (5/26) of diagnostic cases and 15% (57/380) of our trapper-harvested muskrats. Toxic concentrations of arsenic, cadmium, lead, or mercury were not detected in tested liver samples. Copper, molybdenum, and zinc concentrations were detected at acceptable levels comparative to previous studies. Parasite intensity and abundance were typical of historic reports; however, younger muskrats had higher intensity of infection than older muskrats which is contradictory to what has been previously reported. A diversity of pathogens and contaminants have been reported from muskrats, but the associated disease impacts are poorly understood. Our data are consistent with historic reports and highlight the wide range of parasites, pathogens and contaminants harbored by muskrats in Pennsylvania. The data collected are a critical component in assessing overall muskrat health and serve as a basis for understanding the impacts of disease on recent muskrat population declines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laken S. Ganoe
- Pennsylvania Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Justin D. Brown
- Department of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Matthew J. Lovallo
- Bureau of Wildlife Management, Pennsylvania Game Commission, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Michael J. Yabsley
- Southeastern Cooperative Wildlife Disease Study, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, United States of America
- Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, United States of America
| | - Kayla B. Garrett
- Southeastern Cooperative Wildlife Disease Study, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, United States of America
- Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, United States of America
| | - Alec T. Thompson
- Southeastern Cooperative Wildlife Disease Study, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, United States of America
| | - Robert H. Poppenga
- California Animal Health and Food Safety Laboratory, University of California, Davis, California, United States of America
| | - Mark G. Ruder
- Southeastern Cooperative Wildlife Disease Study, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, United States of America
| | - W. David Walter
- U.S. Geological Survey, Pennsylvania Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania, United States of America
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Robinson CA, Dunn PA, Williams LM, Poulson RL, Miller EA, Brown HM, Brown JD. Characterization of Avian Pox in a Ruffed Grouse ( Bonasa umbellus) from Pennsylvania. Avian Dis 2021; 65:453-455. [PMID: 34699142 DOI: 10.1637/0005-2086-65.3.453] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2021] [Accepted: 06/21/2021] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
A free-ranging, adult male ruffed grouse (Bonasa umbellus) was harvested by a hunter during November 2019 in Forest County, PA. The bird was submitted for necropsy due to a skin mass on its left leg. Upon necropsy, two proliferative skin masses were grossly visible, one on the left leg and one on the cere. An additional mass was present on the oropharyngeal mucosa covering the hard palate. These masses were diagnosed as avian pox based on histopathologic and cytologic findings, including marked epithelial hypertrophy, hyperplasia, vacuolar degeneration with eosinophilic stippling, and intracytoplasmic inclusion bodies. An avipoxvirus was detected using PCR and was identified as fowlpox virus through sequencing of the 4b core gene segment. The avipoxvirus from this case showed genetic similarity to isolates from Eastern wild turkeys (Meleagris gallopavo silvestris).
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Affiliation(s)
- Corissa A Robinson
- Animal Diagnostic Laboratory, Penn State University, University Park, PA 16802
| | - Patricia A Dunn
- Animal Diagnostic Laboratory, Penn State University, University Park, PA 16802
| | | | | | - Erica A Miller
- Wildlife Futures Program, University of Pennsylvania, Kennett Square, PA 19348
| | | | - Justin D Brown
- College of Agricultural Sciences, Penn State University, University Park, PA 16802,
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10
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Brown JD, Podadera J, Ward M, Goldsmid S, Simpson DJ. The presence, morphology and clinical significance of vertebral body malformations in an Australian population of French Bulldogs and Pugs. Aust Vet J 2021; 99:378-387. [PMID: 34137021 DOI: 10.1111/avj.13094] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2020] [Revised: 05/04/2021] [Accepted: 05/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To describe the incidence, morphology and clinical significance of congenital vertebral malformations (CVM) in two breeds of brachycephalic dogs presenting to a referral veterinary hospital. DESIGN Prospective cohort study series. MATERIALS AND METHODS Forty-nine French Bulldogs and Pugs were prospectively evaluated and placed in one of two groups based on whether or not they presented for neurological signs referable to spinal cord disease. A computed tomography (CT) of their entire spine was obtained and the presence and classification of CVM along with the degree of spinal kyphosis recorded for all dogs. Statistical analysis was performed to identify clinical associations between these factors (P < 0.05). RESULTS CVM were prevalent across both breeds with the French Bulldog having more malformations than the Pug (Kruskal-Wallis nonparametric analysis of variance, P < 0.0001). Breed associated vertebral malformation subtypes included butterfly subtype in French Bulldogs (Chi-square, P = 0.0002), and transitional subtype in Pugs (odds ratio, 22.7; P = 0.000). A new subtype, dorsal wedge, was observed in 12 cases. The presence, number and subtype of vertebral malformation were not reliable for predicting the development of neurological signs across both breeds (Chi-square, P > 0.05). However, spinal kyphosis >35° calculated via Cobb angle was associated with Pugs that had neurological deficits (Chi-square, P = 0.028). CONCLUSIONS Congenital vertebral malformations largely appear to be incidental findings in this population of French Bulldogs but are of more significance in the Pug breed when spinal kyphosis is >35°. French Bulldogs that have spinal cord disease and CVM are more likely to have pathology distant to CVM with intervertebral disc herniation most common.
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Affiliation(s)
- J D Brown
- Surgery Department, Animal Referral Hospital, Homebush, New South Wales, Australia
| | - J Podadera
- Sydney School of Veterinary Science, The University of Sydney, Camden, New South Wales, Australia
| | - M Ward
- Sydney School of Veterinary Science, The University of Sydney, Camden, New South Wales, Australia
| | - S Goldsmid
- Surgery Department, Animal Referral Hospital, Homebush, New South Wales, Australia
| | - D J Simpson
- Surgery Department, Animal Referral Hospital, Homebush, New South Wales, Australia
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11
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Affiliation(s)
- Laken S. Ganoe
- Pennsylvania Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, Department of Ecosystem Science and Management, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802
| | - Matthew J. Lovallo
- Bureau of Wildlife Management, Pennsylvania Game Commission, Harrisburg, PA 17110
| | - Justin D. Brown
- Department of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802
| | - W. David Walter
- US Geological Survey, Pennsylvania Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802
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12
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Tiffin HS, Cockerill R, Brown JD, Machtinger ET. A Tissue Digestion Protocol for Measuring Sarcoptes scabiei (Astigmata: Sarcoptidae) Density in Skin Biopsies. J Insect Sci 2020; 20:5948072. [PMID: 33135750 PMCID: PMC7604834 DOI: 10.1093/jisesa/ieaa105] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Sarcoptic mange is a parasitic skin disease caused by the burrowing mite Sarcoptes scabiei that affects a diversity of mammals, including humans, worldwide. In North America, the most commonly affected wildlife includes wild canids, such as coyotes and red foxes, and more recently American black bears in the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast United States. Currently, surveillance for sarcoptic mange in wildlife is syndromic, relying on detection of clinical signs and lesions, such as alopecia and crusting of skin. When possible, skin scrapes are used to identify the causative mite. While skin scrapes are a valuable diagnostic tool to identify mites, this approach has significant limitations when used for quantification of mite burden. To further investigate mite burden in cases of sarcoptic mange, 6-mm punch biopsies were collected from affected skin of red foxes (Vulpes vulpes Linnaeus [Carnivora: Canidae]), a species historically affected by sarcoptic mange, frequently with high mite burdens and severe skin disease, and validated on skin tissue from mange-affected American black bears (Ursus americanus Pallas [Carnivora: Ursidae]) and coyotes (Canis latrans Say [Carnivora: Canidae]). Biopsies were digested by incubating the tissue in potassium hydroxide (KOH) at 55°C. The greatest tissue clearance and lowest mite degradation resulted after 12 h of tissue digestion. The purpose of this manuscript is to describe a methodology for host tissue digestion and mite quantification in cases of sarcoptic mange. This method will provide a valuable surveillance and research tool to better understand sarcoptic mange in wild and domestic animals, with applications to a diversity of other ectoparasitic diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hannah S Tiffin
- Department of Entomology, 4 Chemical Ecology Laboratory, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA
| | - Robert Cockerill
- Department of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences, 4 Chemical Ecology Laboratory, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA
| | - Justin D Brown
- Department of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences, 110 Research Unit A, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA
| | - Erika T Machtinger
- Department of Entomology, 4 Chemical Ecology Laboratory, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA
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13
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Ganoe LS, Brown JD, Yabsley MJ, Lovallo MJ, Walter WD. A Review of Pathogens, Diseases, and Contaminants of Muskrats ( Ondatra zibethicus) in North America. Front Vet Sci 2020; 7:233. [PMID: 32478106 PMCID: PMC7242561 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2020.00233] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2020] [Accepted: 04/06/2020] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Over the last 50 years, significant muskrat (Ondatra zibethicus) harvest declines have been observed throughout North America. Several theories for the decline have been proposed, including increased parasite infections and disease within muskrat populations. No existing wholistic review of muskrat exposure to pathogens, contaminants, and diseases exists. To address this knowledge gap, we conducted a thorough review of existing literature on muskrat pathogens, contaminants, and diseases across their natural range. This review is comprised of 131 articles from 1915 to 2019 and from 27 U.S. states and 9 Canadian provinces. A wide diversity of contaminants, toxins, and pathogens were reported in muskrats, with the most common diseases being cysticercosis, tularemia, Tyzzer's disease, and biotoxin poisoning from cyanobacteria. This review provides a summary of muskrat pathogens, contaminants, and diseases over a century that has observed significant population declines throughout the species' range in North America. Such data provide a baseline for understanding the potential role of disease in these declines. In addition, these data highlight critical knowledge gaps that warrant future research efforts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laken S Ganoe
- Pennsylvania Cooperative Fish & Wildlife Research Unit, Department of Ecosystem Science and Management, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, United States
| | - Justin D Brown
- Department of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, United States
| | - Michael J Yabsley
- Southeastern Cooperative Wildlife Disease Study, Department of Population Health, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, United States.,Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, United States
| | - Matthew J Lovallo
- Bureau of Wildlife Management, Pennsylvania Game Commission, Harrisburg, PA, United States
| | - W David Walter
- U.S. Geological Survey, Pennsylvania Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, United States
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14
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MacDonald AM, Gibson DJ, Barta JR, Poulson R, Brown JD, Allison AB, Nemeth NM. Bayesian Phylogenetic Analysis of Avipoxviruses from North American Wild Birds Demonstrates New Insights into Host Specificity and Interspecies Transmission. Avian Dis 2020; 63:427-432. [PMID: 31967425 DOI: 10.1637/12023-010619-reg.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2019] [Accepted: 04/11/2019] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
Avian pox is commonly diagnosed in a variety of North American wild and domestic birds, yet little is known about the evolutionary relationships among the causative poxviruses. This study aimed to determine the phylogenetic relationships among isolates identified in different avian host species to better characterize the host range of specific viral strains and compare the genetic variability within and between viral clades. Skin lesions grossly and microscopically consistent with poxvirus infection from 82 birds collected in Canada, the United States, and the U.S. Virgin Islands were included in this study. A total of 12 avian species were represented; the most common species sampled were wild turkeys (Meleagris gallopavo), mourning doves (Zenaida macroura), and American crows (Corvus brachyrhynchos). Poxvirus samples from these birds were genotyped using PCR that targeted the 4b core protein gene followed by amplicon sequencing. Bayesian phylogenetic analyses of these viruses, in conjunction with publicly available sequences, representing avipoxvirus strains from six continents revealed statistically significant monophyletic clades based on genetic distances of sequences within and between observed clades. Genetic variation within the fowlpox clade was low compared to the canarypox clade. Host and geographic origins of viral isolates revealed overall clustering of viral strains within avian species, with a few exceptions. No genetic differences were observed between viruses from Canada and the United States within individual species. These results are novel in their characterization and comparison of the phylogenetic relationships of poxvirus isolates in wild bird species from North America. Further, we provide new data on the level of host specificity and specific strains circulating in North America.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amanda M MacDonald
- Department of Pathobiology, Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada, NIG 2W1, .,Canadian Wildlife Health Cooperative, Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada, NIG 2W1, .,These authors contributed equally to this work
| | - Daniel J Gibson
- Department of Pathobiology, Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada, NIG 2W1.,These authors contributed equally to this work
| | - John R Barta
- Department of Pathobiology, Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada, NIG 2W1
| | - Rebecca Poulson
- Southeastern Cooperative Wildlife Disease Study, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602
| | - Justin D Brown
- Pennsylvania Game Commission, Animal Diagnostic Laboratory, University Park, PA 16802
| | - Andrew B Allison
- Department of Comparative, Diagnostic, and Population Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610
| | - Nicole M Nemeth
- Southeastern Cooperative Wildlife Disease Study, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602
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15
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Vincent EC, Ruder MG, Yabsley MJ, Hesting VS, Keel MK, Brown JD, Nemeth NM. A Baylisascaris Outbreak in Fox Squirrels ( Sciurus niger) and Subsequent Detection of Francisella tularensis in Kansas, USA. J Wildl Dis 2020; 56:457-461. [PMID: 31750777] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Thorough epidemiologic investigations of wildlife mortality events are often challenging, in part because of the dynamic variables involved. In May 2011, six fox squirrels (Sciurus niger) in Clinton State Park, Kansas, US were euthanized after exhibiting clinical signs of neurologic disease. Postmortem examination of two squirrels revealed that these individuals died of Baylisascaris larva migrans, which resulted in meningoencephalitis and variable pneumonia and myocarditis. Fecal flotation of raccoon (Procyon lotor) feces collected in the area revealed Baylisascaris sp. ova, presumably Baylisascaris procyonis, in one of nine samples. Additional fox squirrel carcasses were submitted for diagnostic evaluation from eastern Kansas for 1 yr following the Baylisascaris sp. outbreak. This monitoring unexpectedly resulted in the detection of Francisella tularensis, the zoonotic pathogen that causes tularemia, in two fox squirrels. The increased attention to fox squirrel mortalities prompted by the outbreak of Baylisascaris sp. larva migrans revealed cases of tularemia that may not have been otherwise detected. Although F. tularensis is endemic in Kansas, the current distribution and prevalence of B. procyonis in raccoons and other hosts in Kansas are poorly understood. This yearlong mortality investigation illustrated the importance of wildlife health monitoring as a means of assessing public health risks, especially during unusual wildlife mortality events.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily C Vincent
- College of Veterinary Medicine, The Ohio State University, 1900 Coffey Road, Columbus, Ohio 43210, USA
| | - Mark G Ruder
- Southeastern Cooperative Wildlife Disease Study, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, 589 D. W. Brooks Drive, Athens, Georgia 30602, USA
| | - Michael J Yabsley
- Southeastern Cooperative Wildlife Disease Study, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, 589 D. W. Brooks Drive, Athens, Georgia 30602, USA
| | - Vincent S Hesting
- Research and Survey Office, Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism, 1830 Merchant, Emporia, Kansas 66801, USA
| | - M Kevin Keel
- Southeastern Cooperative Wildlife Disease Study, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, 589 D. W. Brooks Drive, Athens, Georgia 30602, USA
| | - Justin D Brown
- Southeastern Cooperative Wildlife Disease Study, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, 589 D. W. Brooks Drive, Athens, Georgia 30602, USA
| | - Nicole M Nemeth
- Southeastern Cooperative Wildlife Disease Study, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, 589 D. W. Brooks Drive, Athens, Georgia 30602, USA
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16
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Kolören Z, Cerqueira-Cézar CK, Murata FHA, Kwok OCH, Banfield JE, Brown JD, Su C, Dubey JP. High Seroprevalence but Low Rate of Isolation of Toxoplasma gondii from Wild Elk ( Cervus Canadensis) in Pennsylvania. J Parasitol 2019; 105:890-892. [PMID: 31738124] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii infections are prevalent in most warm-blooded animals worldwide. During the 2018 November hunting season in Pennsylvania, fresh (unfixed, not frozen) samples obtained from 99 harvested elk (Cervus canadensis) were tested for T. gondii infection. Antibodies to T. gondii were detected in 69 of 99 (69.7%) elk tested by the modified agglutination test (MAT, 1:25 cut-off). Tongues and hearts from 16 elk with high MAT titers (>1:200) were bioassayed for T. gondii by inoculation in outbred Swiss Webster (SW) and interferon-gamma gene knockout (KO) mice. Viable T. gondii was isolated from tongues of 2 elk with MAT titers of 1:200 and 1:3,200. Toxoplasma gondii from both isolates were successfully propagated in cell culture. Genetic typing on DNA extracted from culture-derived tachyzoites using the PCR restriction fragment length polymorphism with 10 genetic markers (SAG1, SAG2, SAG3, BTUB, GRA6, c22-8, c29-2, L358, PK1, and Apico) revealed that both isolates belonged to ToxoDB PCR-RFLP genotype #5 that is widely prevalent in wildlife in the United States. Our results suggest that elk may clear T. gondii organisms from their tissues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Z Kolören
- United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Beltsville Agricultural Research Center, Animal Parasitic Diseases Laboratory, Beltsville, Maryland 20705-2350
- Current address: Ordu University, Faculty of Science and Literature, Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Ordu, Turkey
| | - C K Cerqueira-Cézar
- United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Beltsville Agricultural Research Center, Animal Parasitic Diseases Laboratory, Beltsville, Maryland 20705-2350
| | - F H A Murata
- United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Beltsville Agricultural Research Center, Animal Parasitic Diseases Laboratory, Beltsville, Maryland 20705-2350
| | - O C H Kwok
- United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Beltsville Agricultural Research Center, Animal Parasitic Diseases Laboratory, Beltsville, Maryland 20705-2350
| | - J E Banfield
- Pennsylvania Game Commission, 2001 Elmerton Avenue, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania 17110-9797
| | - J D Brown
- Pennsylvania Game Commission, 2001 Elmerton Avenue, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania 17110-9797
- Current address: Department of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences, Pennsylvania State University, 111 Henning Building, University Park, Pennsylvania 16802
| | - C Su
- Department of Microbiology, The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Tennessee 37996
| | - J P Dubey
- United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Beltsville Agricultural Research Center, Animal Parasitic Diseases Laboratory, Beltsville, Maryland 20705-2350
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17
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Niedringhaus KD, Brown JD, Ternent MA, Cleveland CA, Yabsley MJ. A Serosurvey of Multiple Pathogens in American Black Bears ( Ursus americanus) in Pennsylvania, USA Indicates a Lack of Association with Sarcoptic Mange. Vet Sci 2019; 6:vetsci6040075. [PMID: 31547006 PMCID: PMC6958396 DOI: 10.3390/vetsci6040075] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2019] [Revised: 09/09/2019] [Accepted: 09/18/2019] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Infectious diseases, particularly of wildlife, are intrinsically linked to human and domestic animal health. Reports of sarcoptic mange in black bears (Ursus americanus) are increasing in multiple states in the USA and while the reason is unknown, mange in other species has been associated with immunosuppression from multiple causes. Serum from bears across Pennsylvania were collected to determine the seroprevalence of five pathogens important for animal and/or human health: Canine distemper virus (CDV), canine parvovirus (CPV), canine adenovirus-1 (CAV), Toxoplasma gondii, and Trichinella sp. from bears with sarcoptic mange as well as bears that were clinically normal. Several of these pathogens, particularly canine distemper virus, are associated with immunosuppression and secondary infections in other hosts. In addition to describing the seroprevalence and relating these findings to data from other regions, statistics were performed to determine if antibodies to any of these pathogens were associated with mange in bears. The overall seroprevalence to these pathogens was as follows: CDV 7.1% (17/240), CPV 16% (15/94), CAV 6.9% (6/87), Toxoplasma gondii 64.9% (194/299), and Trichinella spiralis 3.2% (7/220). While there was no association between mange and antibodies to these pathogens, infection with one or more of these pathogens has implications for bears, other wildlife, domestic animal, and human health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kevin D Niedringhaus
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Southeastern Cooperative Wildlife Disease Study, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA.
| | - Justin D Brown
- Department of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA.
| | - Mark A Ternent
- Pennsylvania Game Commission, Harrisburg, PA 17110, USA.
| | - Christopher A Cleveland
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Southeastern Cooperative Wildlife Disease Study, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA.
| | - Michael J Yabsley
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Southeastern Cooperative Wildlife Disease Study, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA.
- Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA.
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18
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Niedringhaus KD, Brown JD, Sweeley KM, Yabsley MJ. A review of sarcoptic mange in North American wildlife. Int J Parasitol Parasites Wildl 2019; 9:285-297. [PMID: 31304085 PMCID: PMC6599944 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijppaw.2019.06.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2019] [Revised: 06/05/2019] [Accepted: 06/06/2019] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
The "itch mite" or "mange mite", Sarcoptes scabiei, causes scabies in humans and sarcoptic mange in domestic and free-ranging animals. This mite has a wide host range due to its ability to adapt to new hosts and has been spread across the globe presumably through human expansion. While disease caused by S. scabiei has been very well-studied in humans and domestic animals, there are still numerous gaps in our understanding of this pathogen in free-ranging wildlife. The literature on sarcoptic mange in North American wildlife is particularly limited, which may be due to the relatively limited number of clinically-affected species and lack of severe population impacts seen in other continents. This review article provides a summary of the current knowledge of mange in wildlife, with a focus on the most common clinically-affected species in North America including red foxes (Vulpes vulpes), gray wolves (Canis lupus), coyotes (Canis latrans), and American black bears (Ursus americanus).
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Affiliation(s)
- Kevin D. Niedringhaus
- Southeastern Cooperative Wildlife Disease Study, 589 D.W. Brooks Drive, Wildlife Health Building, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, 30602, USA
| | - Justin D. Brown
- Department of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences, 115 Henning Building, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, 16802, USA
| | - Kellyn M. Sweeley
- College of Veterinary Medicine, 501 D.W. Brooks Drive, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, 30602, USA
| | - Michael J. Yabsley
- Southeastern Cooperative Wildlife Disease Study, 589 D.W. Brooks Drive, Wildlife Health Building, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, 30602, USA
- Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources, 180 E Green Street, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, 30602, USA
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19
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Niedringhaus KD, Nemeth NM, Sellers HS, Brown JD, Fenton HMA. Multicentric Round Cell Neoplasms and Their Viral Associations in Wild Turkeys ( Meleagris gallopavo) in the Southeastern United States. Vet Pathol 2019; 56:915-920. [PMID: 31345138 DOI: 10.1177/0300985819864306] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Multiple oncogenic viruses, including lymphoproliferative disease virus (LPDV) and reticuloendotheliosis virus (REV), have been detected in wild turkeys (Meleagris gallopavo). The prevalence of infection with these viruses appears to be more common than overt disease; thus, data on the manifestation of associated disease in wild turkeys are scarce. Diagnostic records from wild turkeys submitted to the Southeastern Cooperative Wildlife Disease Study from 1980 to 2017 were reviewed to identify cases of neoplasia. Neoplasia was reported in 59 of 851 (6.9%) wild turkeys submitted. Of the cases of neoplasia tested by polymerase chain reaction, LPDV was detected in 34 of 58 (59%), REV in 10 of 39 (26%), both viruses in 3 of 39 (8%), and no retroviruses detected in 5 of 39 (13%) turkeys. The most common gross lesions observed among turkeys with neoplasms were emaciation (30/40; 75%); nodules in the skin (26/59; 44%), liver (17/59; 29%), or spleen (9/59; 15%); and splenomegaly (14/59; 24%). Microscopically, nodules were composed of pleomorphic round cells with large eccentric nuclei and prominent nucleoli resembling lymphocytes or lymphoblasts (57/59; 97%) except for 2 cases, one of myeloid cell origin and the other with primarily spindloid cells. This study indicates the need to characterize the pathogenesis and potential health threat posed by REV and LPDV to wild turkeys. Experimental infection studies and the development of additional diagnostic tests to confirm the role of retroviruses in lymphoproliferative disease are warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kevin D Niedringhaus
- Southeastern Cooperative Wildlife Disease Study, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA
| | - Nicole M Nemeth
- Southeastern Cooperative Wildlife Disease Study, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA
| | - Holly S Sellers
- Department of Population Health, Poultry Diagnostic and Research Center, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA
| | - Justin D Brown
- Department of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA
| | - Heather M A Fenton
- Southeastern Cooperative Wildlife Disease Study, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA.,Government of The Northwest Territories, Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Northwest Territories, Yellowknife, Canada
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20
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Cerqueira-Cézar CK, da Silva AF, Murata FHA, Sadler M, Abbas IE, Kwok OCH, Brown JD, Casalena MJ, Blake MR, Su C, Dubey JP. Isolation and Genetic Characterization of Toxoplasma gondii from Tissues of Wild Turkeys ( Meleagris gallopavo) in Pennsylvania. J Parasitol 2019; 105:391-394. [PMID: 31059382] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Toxoplasmosis in wild turkeys (Meleagris gallopavo) is of epidemiological interest because turkeys feed from the ground, and detection of infection in turkeys indicates contamination by oocysts in the environment. During the 2018 spring hunting season in Pennsylvania, fresh (unfixed, not frozen) samples were obtained from 20 harvested wild turkeys and tested for Toxoplasma gondii infection. Hearts from all wild turkeys and skeletal muscle from 1 were bioassayed for T. gondii by inoculation in outbred Swiss Webster (SW) and interferon-gamma gene knockout (KO) mice. Antibodies to T. gondii were detected in 1:5 dilution of neat serum from 5 of 15 wild turkeys and in fluid from the heart of 1 of 4 wild turkeys with the modified agglutination test (MAT); neat serum was not available from 4 wild turkeys. Viable T. gondii was isolated from hearts of 5 wild turkeys, 1 with MAT of 1:10, 1 with MAT of 1:5, and 3 seronegative (MAT < 1:5). Toxoplasma gondii was isolated from both heart and skeletal muscle in the 1 wild turkey that had skeletal muscle submitted. The KO mice inoculated with tissue from all 5 infected wild turkeys died or were euthanatized when ill, 7-21 days post-inoculation (PI). Tachyzoites were detected in lungs of all KO mice, and the T. gondii strains were successfully propagated in cell culture. The SW mice inoculated with tissues of wild turkeys remained asymptomatic, and tissue cysts were seen in the brains of infected mice when euthanatized in good health at 46 days PI; 1 of the 2 SW mice inoculated with the heart of 1 turkey died on day 26, and tachyzoites were detected in its lung. Genetic typing on DNA extracted from culture-derived tachyzoites using the PCR restriction fragment length polymorphism with 10 genetic markers (SAG1, SAG2, SAG3, BTUB, GRA6, c22-8, c29-2, L358, PK1, and Apico) revealed that 4 isolates belonged to ToxoDB PCR-RFLP genotype #5 and 1 was genotype #216.
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Affiliation(s)
- Camila K Cerqueira-Cézar
- 1 United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Beltsville Agricultural Research Center, Animal Parasitic Diseases Laboratory, Beltsville, Maryland 20705-2350
| | - Andressa F da Silva
- 1 United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Beltsville Agricultural Research Center, Animal Parasitic Diseases Laboratory, Beltsville, Maryland 20705-2350
| | - Fernando H A Murata
- 1 United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Beltsville Agricultural Research Center, Animal Parasitic Diseases Laboratory, Beltsville, Maryland 20705-2350
| | - Meghan Sadler
- 1 United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Beltsville Agricultural Research Center, Animal Parasitic Diseases Laboratory, Beltsville, Maryland 20705-2350
| | - Ibrahim E Abbas
- 1 United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Beltsville Agricultural Research Center, Animal Parasitic Diseases Laboratory, Beltsville, Maryland 20705-2350
- 2 Parasitology Department, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Mansoura University, Mansoura, 35516, Egypt
| | - Oliver C H Kwok
- 1 United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Beltsville Agricultural Research Center, Animal Parasitic Diseases Laboratory, Beltsville, Maryland 20705-2350
| | - Justin D Brown
- 3 Pennsylvania Game Commission, 2001 Elmerton Avenue, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania 17110-9797
- 4 Department of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences, Pennsylvania State University, 111 Henning Building, University Park, Pennsylvania 16802
| | - Mary Jo Casalena
- 3 Pennsylvania Game Commission, 2001 Elmerton Avenue, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania 17110-9797
| | - Mitchell R Blake
- 5 National Wild Turkey Federation, 770 Augusta Road, Edgefield, South Carolina 29824
| | - Chunlei Su
- 6 Department of Microbiology, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Tennessee 37996
| | - J P Dubey
- 1 United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Beltsville Agricultural Research Center, Animal Parasitic Diseases Laboratory, Beltsville, Maryland 20705-2350
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21
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Martinez Naharro A, Kotecha T, Chacko L, Brown JD, Knight DS, Steriotis A, Kellman P, Gillmore JD, Hawkins PN, Fontana M. P119Oedema in amyloidosis: more than meets the eye. Eur Heart J Cardiovasc Imaging 2019. [DOI: 10.1093/ehjci/jez110.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- A Martinez Naharro
- University College London, CMR Unit at Royal Free Hospital, London, United Kingdom of Great Britain & Northern Ireland
| | - T Kotecha
- University College London, CMR Unit at Royal Free Hospital, London, United Kingdom of Great Britain & Northern Ireland
| | - L Chacko
- University College London, CMR Unit at Royal Free Hospital, London, United Kingdom of Great Britain & Northern Ireland
| | - J D Brown
- University College London, CMR Unit at Royal Free Hospital, London, United Kingdom of Great Britain & Northern Ireland
| | - D S Knight
- University College London, CMR Unit at Royal Free Hospital, London, United Kingdom of Great Britain & Northern Ireland
| | - A Steriotis
- University College London, CMR Unit at Royal Free Hospital, London, United Kingdom of Great Britain & Northern Ireland
| | - P Kellman
- National Institutes of Health, National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute, Bethesda, United States of America
| | - J D Gillmore
- University College London, CMR Unit at Royal Free Hospital, London, United Kingdom of Great Britain & Northern Ireland
| | - P N Hawkins
- University College London, CMR Unit at Royal Free Hospital, London, United Kingdom of Great Britain & Northern Ireland
| | - M Fontana
- University College London, CMR Unit at Royal Free Hospital, London, United Kingdom of Great Britain & Northern Ireland
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22
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Garrett KB, Hernandez SM, Balsamo G, Barron H, Beasley JC, Brown JD, Cloherty E, Farid H, Gabriel M, Groves B, Hamer S, Hill J, Lewis M, McManners K, Nemeth N, Oesterle P, Ortiz S, Peshock L, Schnellbacher R, Schott R, Straif-Bourgeois S, Yabsley MJ. Prevalence, distribution, and diversity of cryptic piroplasm infections in raccoons from selected areas of the United States and Canada. Int J Parasitol Parasites Wildl 2019; 9:224-233. [PMID: 31198681 PMCID: PMC6555877 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijppaw.2019.05.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2019] [Revised: 05/24/2019] [Accepted: 05/25/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
The order Piroplasmida contains a diverse group of intracellular parasites, many of which can cause significant disease in humans, domestic animals, and wildlife. Two piroplasm species have been reported from raccoons (Procyon lotor), Babesia lotori (Babesia sensu stricto clade) and a species related to Babesia microti (called B. microti-like sp.). The goal of this study was to investigate prevalence, distribution, and diversity of Babesia in raccoons. We tested raccoons from selected regions in the United States and Canada for the presence of Babesia sensu stricto and Babesia microti-like sp. piroplasms. Infections of Babesia microti-like sp. were found in nearly all locations sampled, often with high prevalence, while Babesia sensu stricto infections had higher prevalence in the Southeastern United States (20–45% prevalence). Co-infections with both Babesia sp. were common. Sequencing of the partial 18S rRNA and cytochrome oxidase subunit 1 (cox1) genes led to the discovery of two new Babesia species, both found in several locations in the eastern and western United States. One novel Babesia sensu stricto sp. was most similar to Babesia gibsoni while the other Babesia species was present in the ‘western piroplasm’ group and was related to Babesia conradae. Phylogenetic analysis of the cox1 sequences indicated possible eastern and western genetic variants for the three Babesia sensu stricto species. Additional analyses are needed to characterize these novel species; however, this study indicates there are now at least four species of piroplasms infecting raccoons in the United States and Canada (Babesia microti-like sp., Babesia lotori, a novel Babesia sensu stricto sp., a novel western Babesia sp.) and a possible fifth species (Babesia sensu stricto) in raccoons in Japan. Raccoons in all locations tested were infected with piroplasms. Babesia microti-like sp. was commonly found in raccoons throughout North America. Babesia sensu stricto spp. were less common throughout North America. Four, possibly five, distinct species of piroplasms in raccoons. Possible spatial genetic variation within the two raccoon piroplasm species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kayla B. Garrett
- Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources, 140 Green Street, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, 30602, USA
- Southeastern Cooperative Wildlife Disease Study, Department of Population Health, College of Veterinary Medicine, 589 DW Brooks Drive, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, 30602, USA
- Corresponding author. 589 D. W. Brooks Drive, Wildlife Health Building, Athens, GA, 30602, USA.
| | - Sonia M. Hernandez
- Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources, 140 Green Street, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, 30602, USA
- Southeastern Cooperative Wildlife Disease Study, Department of Population Health, College of Veterinary Medicine, 589 DW Brooks Drive, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, 30602, USA
| | - Gary Balsamo
- Louisiana Department of Health, 628 N. 4th Street, Baton Rouge, LA, 70802, USA
| | - Heather Barron
- Clinic for the Rehabilitation of Wildlife (CROW), 3883 Sanibel Captiva Road, Sanibel Island, FL, 33957, USA
| | - James C. Beasley
- Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources, 140 Green Street, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, 30602, USA
- Savannah River Ecology Laboratory, University of Georgia, P.O. Drawer E., Aiken, SC, 29802, USA
| | - Justin D. Brown
- Pennsylvania Game Commission, 2001 Elmerton Ave, Harrisburg, PA, 17110, USA
| | - Erin Cloherty
- New Orleans Mosquito, Termite, and Rodent Control Board, 2100 Leon C Simon Dr., New Orleans, LA, 70122, USA
| | - Hossain Farid
- Department of Animal Science and Aquaculture, Faculty of Agriculture, Agricultural Campus, PO Box 550, Dalhousie University, Truro, Nova Scotia, B2N 5E3, Canada
| | - Mourad Gabriel
- Karen C. Drayer Wildlife Health Center, University of California Davis School of Veterinary Medicine, Davis, CA, 95616, USA
- Integral Ecology Research Center, 239 Railroad Ave, Blue Lake, CA, 95525, USA
| | | | - Sarah Hamer
- Department of Veterinary Integrative Biosciences, TAMU 4458, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, 77843, USA
| | - Julia Hill
- Clinic for the Rehabilitation of Wildlife (CROW), 3883 Sanibel Captiva Road, Sanibel Island, FL, 33957, USA
| | - Meghan Lewis
- Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources, 140 Green Street, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, 30602, USA
- Southeastern Cooperative Wildlife Disease Study, Department of Population Health, College of Veterinary Medicine, 589 DW Brooks Drive, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, 30602, USA
- Young Scholars Program at the University of Georgia, Athens, GA, 30602, USA
| | - Katie McManners
- Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources, 140 Green Street, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, 30602, USA
| | - Nicole Nemeth
- Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources, 140 Green Street, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, 30602, USA
- Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph, 50 Stone Road E., Guelph, Ontario, N1G 2W1, Canada
| | - Paul Oesterle
- Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph, 50 Stone Road E., Guelph, Ontario, N1G 2W1, Canada
| | - Sebastian Ortiz
- Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources, 140 Green Street, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, 30602, USA
- Southeastern Cooperative Wildlife Disease Study, Department of Population Health, College of Veterinary Medicine, 589 DW Brooks Drive, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, 30602, USA
| | - Lea Peshock
- Greenwood Wildlife Rehabilitation Center, 5761 Ute Hwy, Longmont, CO, 80503, USA
| | | | - Renee Schott
- Wildlife Rehabilitation Center of Minnesota, 2530 Dale St N, Roseville, MN, 55113, USA
| | - Susanne Straif-Bourgeois
- Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, School of Public Health, 2020 Gravier Street, New Orleans, LA, 70112, USA
| | - Michael J. Yabsley
- Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources, 140 Green Street, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, 30602, USA
- Southeastern Cooperative Wildlife Disease Study, Department of Population Health, College of Veterinary Medicine, 589 DW Brooks Drive, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, 30602, USA
- Corresponding author. 589 D. W. Brooks Drive, Wildlife Health Building, Athens, GA, 30602, USA.
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Cerqueira-Cézar CK, Silva AFD, Murata FHA, Sadler M, Abbas IE, Kwok OCH, Brown JD, Casalena MJ, Blake MR, Su C, Dubey JP. Isolation and Genetic Characterization of Toxoplasma gondii from Tissues of Wild Turkeys (Meleagris gallopavo) in Pennsylvania. J Parasitol 2019. [DOI: 10.1645/18-197] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Camila K. Cerqueira-Cézar
- United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Beltsville Agricultural Research Center, Animal Parasitic Diseases Laboratory, Beltsville, Maryland 20705-2350
| | - Andressa F. da Silva
- United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Beltsville Agricultural Research Center, Animal Parasitic Diseases Laboratory, Beltsville, Maryland 20705-2350
| | - Fernando H. A. Murata
- United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Beltsville Agricultural Research Center, Animal Parasitic Diseases Laboratory, Beltsville, Maryland 20705-2350
| | - Meghan Sadler
- United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Beltsville Agricultural Research Center, Animal Parasitic Diseases Laboratory, Beltsville, Maryland 20705-2350
| | - Ibrahim E. Abbas
- United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Beltsville Agricultural Research Center, Animal Parasitic Diseases Laboratory, Beltsville, Maryland 20705-2350
| | - Oliver C. H. Kwok
- United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Beltsville Agricultural Research Center, Animal Parasitic Diseases Laboratory, Beltsville, Maryland 20705-2350
| | - Justin D. Brown
- Pennsylvania Game Commission, 2001 Elmerton Avenue, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania 17110-9797
| | - Mary Jo Casalena
- Pennsylvania Game Commission, 2001 Elmerton Avenue, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania 17110-9797
| | - Mitchell R. Blake
- National Wild Turkey Federation, 770 Augusta Road, Edgefield, South Carolina 29824
| | - Chunlei Su
- Department of Microbiology, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Tennessee 37996
| | - J. P. Dubey
- United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Beltsville Agricultural Research Center, Animal Parasitic Diseases Laboratory, Beltsville, Maryland 20705-2350
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24
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Swanepoel L, Cleveland CA, Olfenbuttel C, Dukes CG, Brown D, Brown JD, Surf A, Tumlison R, Yabsley MJ. Prevalence and genetic characterization of Dirofilaria lutrae Orihle, 1965 in North American river otters (Lontra canadensis). Vet Parasitol Reg Stud Reports 2019; 14:187-190. [PMID: 31014728 DOI: 10.1016/j.vprsr.2018.10.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2018] [Revised: 10/14/2018] [Accepted: 10/26/2018] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Dirofilaria lutrae Orihle, 1965 is a subcutaneous filarial worm found in North American river otters (Lontra canadensis). Previous studies reported the geographical range of this worm to include Louisiana, Florida, and North Carolina, USA. Although D. lutrae does not cause disease in otters, it must be distinguished from Dirofilaria immitis (Leidy, 1856), which causes heartworm disease in otters. The goal of this study was to determine the prevalence of D. lutrae in several states and to investigate the phylogenetic relationship of D. lutrae and other Dirofilaria species. Adult D. lutrae were collected from 32 of 40 (80%) otters from North Carolina (n = 38), South Carolina (n = 1), and Kentucky (n = 1), whereas all otters from Georgia (n = 1), Pennsylvania (n = 2), Arkansas (n = 184) and California (n = 1) were negative for D. lutrae. A portion of the cytochrome c oxidase I (COI) was amplified from nine North Carolina specimens and one South Carolina specimen. Sequence analysis indicated that all but one were identical to each other and D. lutrae was phylogenetically most closely related to D. immitis; however, few Dirofilaria sequences are available for comparison. Because other subcutaneous parasites may be detected in otters, parasites should be carefully examined to confirm their identity. Finally, given the high prevalence of D. lutrae in otters in some southeastern states, microfilaria found in blood samples of otters must be correctly identified because treatment for D. lutrae is generally not warranted and some pharmaceutical treatments can cause mortality in otters.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liandrie Swanepoel
- Southeastern Cooperative Wildlife Disease Study, Department of Population Health, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, United States
| | - Christopher A Cleveland
- Southeastern Cooperative Wildlife Disease Study, Department of Population Health, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, United States; Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources, University of Georgia Athens, GA, United States
| | - Colleen Olfenbuttel
- North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission, NCSU Centennial Campus, 1751 Varsity Drive, Raleigh, NC, United States
| | - Casey G Dukes
- North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission, NCSU Centennial Campus, 1751 Varsity Drive, Raleigh, NC, United States
| | - Dalton Brown
- USDA APHIS Wildlife Services, Columbia, SC, United States
| | - Justin D Brown
- Pennsylvania Game Commission, 2001 Elmerton Avenue, Harrisburg, PA, United States
| | - Allison Surf
- Department of Biological Sciences, Henderson State University, Arkadelphia, AR, United States
| | - Renn Tumlison
- Department of Biological Sciences, Henderson State University, Arkadelphia, AR, United States
| | - Michael J Yabsley
- Southeastern Cooperative Wildlife Disease Study, Department of Population Health, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, United States; Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources, University of Georgia Athens, GA, United States.
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25
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Niedringhaus KD, Burchfield HJ, Elsmo EJ, Cleveland CA, Fenton H, Shock BC, Muise C, Brown JD, Munk B, Ellis A, Hall RJ, Yabsley MJ. Trichomonosis due to Trichomonas gallinae infection in barn owls (Tyto alba) and barred owls (Strix varia) from the eastern United States. Vet Parasitol Reg Stud Reports 2019; 16:100281. [PMID: 31027606 DOI: 10.1016/j.vprsr.2019.100281] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2018] [Revised: 02/26/2019] [Accepted: 03/04/2019] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Trichomonosis is an important cause of mortality in multiple avian species; however, there have been relatively few reports of this disease in owls. Two barn owls (Tyto alba) and four barred owls (Strix varia) submitted for diagnostic examination had lesions consistent with trichomonosis including caseous necrosis and inflammation in the oropharynx. Microscopically, these lesions were often associated with trichomonads and molecular testing, if obtainable, confirmed the presence of Trichomonas gallinae, the species most commonly associated with trichomonosis in birds. The T. gallinae genotype in one barn owl and two barred owls was identified as ITS-OBT-Tg-1 by sequence analysis. Columbids are the primary hosts for T. gallinae, and columbid remains found within the nest box of the barn owls were the likely source of infection. This study is the first to formally describe the strains and genetic variation of T. gallinae samples from clinical cases of trichomonosis in barn and barred owls in the eastern USA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kevin D Niedringhaus
- Southeastern Cooperative Wildlife Disease Study, 589 D.W. Brooks Drive, Wildlife Health Building, College of Veterinary Medicine, The University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA.
| | - Holly J Burchfield
- Southeastern Cooperative Wildlife Disease Study, 589 D.W. Brooks Drive, Wildlife Health Building, College of Veterinary Medicine, The University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA
| | - Elizabeth J Elsmo
- Southeastern Cooperative Wildlife Disease Study, 589 D.W. Brooks Drive, Wildlife Health Building, College of Veterinary Medicine, The University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA.
| | - Christopher A Cleveland
- Southeastern Cooperative Wildlife Disease Study, 589 D.W. Brooks Drive, Wildlife Health Building, College of Veterinary Medicine, The University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA; Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources, 180 E Green Street, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA
| | - Heather Fenton
- Southeastern Cooperative Wildlife Disease Study, 589 D.W. Brooks Drive, Wildlife Health Building, College of Veterinary Medicine, The University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA.
| | - Barbara C Shock
- Southeastern Cooperative Wildlife Disease Study, 589 D.W. Brooks Drive, Wildlife Health Building, College of Veterinary Medicine, The University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA.
| | - Charlie Muise
- Georgia Bird Study Group, Barnesville, GA 30204, USA
| | - Justin D Brown
- Southeastern Cooperative Wildlife Disease Study, 589 D.W. Brooks Drive, Wildlife Health Building, College of Veterinary Medicine, The University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA.
| | - Brandon Munk
- Southeastern Cooperative Wildlife Disease Study, 589 D.W. Brooks Drive, Wildlife Health Building, College of Veterinary Medicine, The University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA.
| | - Angela Ellis
- Antech Diagnostics, 1111 Marcus Ave., Suite M28, Bldg 5B, Lake Success, NY 11042, USA.
| | - Richard J Hall
- Odum School of Ecology and Department of Infectious Diseases, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA.
| | - Michael J Yabsley
- Southeastern Cooperative Wildlife Disease Study, 589 D.W. Brooks Drive, Wildlife Health Building, College of Veterinary Medicine, The University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA; Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources, 180 E Green Street, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA.
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27
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Brown JD, Goodin A, Lip GYH. The American College of Chest Physician score to assess the risk of bleeding during anticoagulation in patients with venous thromboembolism: comment. J Thromb Haemost 2018; 16:2537-2539. [PMID: 30240546 DOI: 10.1111/jth.14301] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2018] [Accepted: 08/28/2018] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- J D Brown
- Department of Pharmaceutical Outcomes and Policy, University of Florida College of Pharmacy, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - A Goodin
- Department of Pharmaceutical Outcomes and Policy, University of Florida College of Pharmacy, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - G Y H Lip
- Institute of Cardiovascular Science, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
- Aalborg Thrombosis Research Unit, Department of Clinical Medicine, Aalborg University, Aalborg, Denmark
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28
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Cerqueira-Cézar CK, Thompson PC, Murata FHA, Mowery J, Brown JD, Banfield J, Rosenthal BM, Dubey JP. Histopathological, morphological, and molecular characterization of Sarcocystis species in elk (Cervus elaphus) from Pennsylvania, USA. Parasitol Res 2018; 117:3245-3255. [PMID: 30120590 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-018-6024-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2018] [Accepted: 07/02/2018] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Sarcocystis sarcocysts are common in many species of domestic and wild animals. Here, we report sarcocystosis in muscles from 91 free range elk (Cervus elaphus) from Pennsylvania, USA, tested by histopathology, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and DNA sequencing. Sarcocysts were detected in hematoxylin and eosin (HE)-stained sections from 83 of 91 (91.2%) elk, including 83/91 (91.2%) tongues and 15/17 (88.2%) hearts. With respect to age, sarcocysts were found in 0/5 calves, 8/9 (88.8%) yearlings, and 75/77 (97.4%) adults. Sarcocysts were identified in 62/69 (89.4%) females and 21/22 (91.2%) males. Associated lesions were mild and consisted of inflammatory foci around degenerate sarcocysts. There were two morphologically distinct sarcocysts based on wall thickness, thin (< 0.5 μm) and thick-walled (> 4.0 μm). Thin-walled sarcocysts had a TEM "type 2" and villar protrusions (vps), identical to Sarcocystis wapiti previously described from elk in western USA. This species was present both in tongue and heart samples and was detected in all infected elk. Thick-walled sarcocysts consisted of three morphologic variants, referred to herein as subkinds A, B, C. Subkind A sarcocysts were rare; only four sarcocysts were found in three elk. Histologically, they had a 5-8-μm thick wall with tufted vp. By TEM, the sarcocyst wall was "type 12" and appeared similar to Sarcocystis sybillensis, previously described from elk in USA. Subkind B, Sarcocystis sp.1 sarcocysts were also rare, found in only 1 elk. These sarcocysts had 6.7-7.3-μm-thick wall with TEM "type 15b" vp. Subkind C Sarcocystis sp.2 sarcocysts were more common (22/91). Morphologically, the sarcocyst wall was 6.1-6.8 μm thick and contained "type 10b" vp. Comparisons of ribosomal DNA loci with published sequences indicated all sarcocysts were similar to what has previously been isolated from cervid hosts across the northern hemisphere. Phylogenetic analysis placed the thin-walled S. wapiti within a strongly supported clade with S. linearis and S. taeniata, while the thick-walled cysts were very closely related to S. truncata, S. elongata, S. silva, and S. tarandi. Further sequencing is needed to produce molecular diagnostics to distinguish among these species. North American elk are hosts to multiple Sarcocystis species with diverse morphology, deriving from two separate evolutionary lineages.
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Affiliation(s)
- Camila K Cerqueira-Cézar
- United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Beltsville Agricultural Research Center, Animal Parasitic Diseases Laboratory, Beltsville, MD, 20705-2350, USA
| | - Peter C Thompson
- United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Beltsville Agricultural Research Center, Animal Parasitic Diseases Laboratory, Beltsville, MD, 20705-2350, USA
| | - Fernando H A Murata
- United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Beltsville Agricultural Research Center, Animal Parasitic Diseases Laboratory, Beltsville, MD, 20705-2350, USA
| | - Joseph Mowery
- United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Beltsville Agricultural Research Center, Electron and Confocal Microscopy Unit, Building 12, Beltsville, MD, 20705-2350, USA
| | - Justin D Brown
- Pennsylvania Game Commission, 2001 Elmerton Avenue, Harrisburg, PA, 17110-9797, USA
| | - Jeremy Banfield
- Pennsylvania Game Commission, 2001 Elmerton Avenue, Harrisburg, PA, 17110-9797, USA
| | - Benjamin M Rosenthal
- United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Beltsville Agricultural Research Center, Animal Parasitic Diseases Laboratory, Beltsville, MD, 20705-2350, USA
| | - Jitender P Dubey
- United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Beltsville Agricultural Research Center, Animal Parasitic Diseases Laboratory, Beltsville, MD, 20705-2350, USA.
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29
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Yabsley MJ, Vanstreels RET, Martinsen ES, Wickson AG, Holland AE, Hernandez SM, Thompson AT, Perkins SL, West CJ, Bryan AL, Cleveland CA, Jolly E, Brown JD, McRuer D, Behmke S, Beasley JC. Parasitaemia data and molecular characterization of Haemoproteus catharti from New World vultures (Cathartidae) reveals a novel clade of Haemosporida. Malar J 2018; 17:12. [PMID: 29310650 PMCID: PMC5759834 DOI: 10.1186/s12936-017-2165-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2017] [Accepted: 12/25/2017] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Background New World vultures (Cathartiformes: Cathartidae) are obligate scavengers comprised of seven species in five genera throughout the Americas. Of these, turkey vultures (Cathartes aura) and black vultures (Coragyps atratus) are the most widespread and, although ecologically similar, have evolved differences in morphology, physiology, and behaviour. Three species of haemosporidians have been reported in New World vultures to date: Haemoproteus catharti, Leucocytozoon toddi and Plasmodium elongatum, although few studies have investigated haemosporidian parasites in this important group of species. In this study, morphological and molecular methods were used to investigate the epidemiology and molecular biology of haemosporidian parasites of New World vultures in North America. Methods Blood and/or tissue samples were obtained from 162 turkey vultures and 95 black vultures in six states of the USA. Parasites were identified based on their morphology in blood smears, and sequences of the mitochondrial cytochrome b and nuclear adenylosuccinate lyase genes were obtained for molecular characterization. Results No parasites were detected in black vultures, whereas 24% of turkey vultures across all sampling locations were positive for H. catharti by blood smear analysis and/or PCR testing. The phylogenetic analysis of cytochrome b gene sequences revealed that H. catharti is closely related to MYCAMH1, a yet unidentified haemosporidian from wood storks (Mycteria americana) in southeastern USA and northern Brazil. Haemoproteus catharti and MYCAMH1 represent a clade that is unmistakably separate from all other Haemoproteus spp., being most closely related to Haemocystidium spp. from reptiles and to Plasmodium spp. from birds and reptiles. Conclusions Haemoproteus catharti is a widely-distributed parasite of turkey vultures in North America that is evolutionarily distinct from other haemosporidian parasites. These results reveal that the genetic diversity and evolutionary relationships of avian haemosporidians are still being uncovered, and future studies combining a comprehensive evaluation of morphological and life cycle characteristics with the analysis of multiple nuclear and mitochondrial genes will be useful to redefine the genus boundaries of these parasites and to re-evaluate the relationships amongst haemosporidians of birds, reptiles and mammals. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s12936-017-2165-5) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael J Yabsley
- Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources, The University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA. .,Southeastern Cooperative Wildlife Disease Study, Department of Population Health, College of Veterinary Medicine, The University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA.
| | - Ralph E T Vanstreels
- Marine Apex Predator Research Unit, Institute for Coastal and Marine Research, Nelson Mandela University, Port Elizabeth, South Africa.,DST/NRF Centre of Excellence at the Percy FitzPatrick Institute, Department of Zoology, Nelson Mandela University, Port Elizabeth, South Africa
| | - Ellen S Martinsen
- Center for Conservation and Evolutionary Genetics, Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute, National Zoological Park, Washington DC, USA.,Department of Biology, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT, USA
| | - Alexandra G Wickson
- Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources, The University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA
| | - Amanda E Holland
- Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources, The University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA.,Savannah River Ecology Laboratory, University of Georgia, Aiken, SC, USA
| | - Sonia M Hernandez
- Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources, The University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA.,Southeastern Cooperative Wildlife Disease Study, Department of Population Health, College of Veterinary Medicine, The University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA
| | - Alec T Thompson
- Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources, The University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA
| | - Susan L Perkins
- Sackler Institute for Comparative Genomics, American Museum of Natural History, New York, NY, USA
| | | | - A Lawrence Bryan
- Savannah River Ecology Laboratory, University of Georgia, Aiken, SC, USA
| | - Christopher A Cleveland
- Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources, The University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA.,Southeastern Cooperative Wildlife Disease Study, Department of Population Health, College of Veterinary Medicine, The University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA
| | - Emily Jolly
- Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources, The University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA
| | - Justin D Brown
- Pennsylvania Game Commission, Animal Diagnostic Laboratory, University Park, PA, USA
| | - Dave McRuer
- Wildlife Center of Virginia, Waynesboro, VA, USA
| | - Shannon Behmke
- Davis College of Agriculture, Natural Resources and Design, Division of Forestry and Natural Resources, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV, USA
| | - James C Beasley
- Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources, The University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA.,Savannah River Ecology Laboratory, University of Georgia, Aiken, SC, USA
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30
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Nemeth NM, Bosco-Lauth AM, Williams LM, Bowen RA, Brown JD. West Nile Virus Infection in Ruffed Grouse ( Bonasa umbellus): Experimental Infection and Protective Effects of Vaccination. Vet Pathol 2017; 54:901-911. [PMID: 28675106 DOI: 10.1177/0300985817717770] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Ruffed grouse ( Bonasa umbellus) population numbers in Pennsylvania dramatically declined during the early 2000s and have subsequently remained depressed throughout much of the state. While this decline has been temporally associated with the presence of West Nile virus (WNV), lack of information on the WNV susceptibility of this popular game bird species has limited the ability to interpret the potential impacts of WNV. To address this knowledge gap, virologic, immunologic, pathologic, and clinical responses as well as protective effects of vaccination following experimental WNV inoculation in ruffed grouse were assessed. Four of 10 (40%) naive, WNV-inoculated grouse succumbed to infection within 8 days and had moderate mean peak viremia titers (107.0 plaque-forming units [PFU]/ml serum); severe necrotizing myocarditis with widespread, corresponding immunohistochemical labeling; and minimal encephalitis. Grouse that survived to the prescribed end point of 14 days postinoculation (6/10; 60%) had slightly lower mean peak viremia titers (106.8 PFU/ml serum), moderate myocardial lesions, and more widespread brain lesions with rare corresponding immunohistochemical labeling. Vaccinated, WNV-inoculated birds ( n = 5) had lower mean peak viremia titers (103.6 PFU/ml serum) and minimal lesions, and sham-inoculated, in-contact control birds ( n = 3) had no evidence of infection. All surviving, inoculated birds seroconverted, and WNV-specific antibodies were detectable in serum and Nobuto filter paper strip-eluted blood samples. These data suggest that WNV could serve as an additional population pressure on ruffed grouse in regions where transmission levels are high and WNV competent, ornithophilic vectors exist.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicole M Nemeth
- 1 Department of Pathobiology, Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada.,2 Canadian Wildlife Health Cooperative, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada
| | - Angela M Bosco-Lauth
- 3 Department of Biomedical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, USA
| | - Lisa M Williams
- 4 Bureau of Wildlife Management, Pennsylvania Game Commission, Harrisburg, PA, USA
| | - Richard A Bowen
- 3 Department of Biomedical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, USA
| | - Justin D Brown
- 5 Pennsylvania Game Commission, Animal Diagnostic Laboratory, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA
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Peltier SK, Brown JD, Ternent M, Niedringhaus KD, Schuler K, Bunting EM, Kirchgessner M, Yabsley MJ. Genetic Characterization of Sarcoptes scabiei from Black Bears (Ursus americanus) and Other Hosts in the Eastern United States. J Parasitol 2017. [PMID: 28639466 DOI: 10.1645/17-26] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Since the early 1990s there has been an increase in the number of cases and geographic expansion of severe mange in the black bear (Ursus americanus) population in Pennsylvania. Although there are 3 species of mites associated with mange in bears, Sarcoptes scabiei has been identified as the etiologic agent in these Pennsylvania cases. Historically, S. scabiei-associated mange in bears has been uncommon and sporadic, although it is widespread and relatively common in canid populations. To better understand this recent emergence of sarcoptic mange in bears in Pennsylvania and nearby states, we genetically characterized S. scabiei samples from black bears in the eastern United States. These sequences were compared with newly acquired S. scabiei sequences from wild canids (red fox [Vulpes vulpes] and coyote [Canis latrans]) and a porcupine (Erethizon dorsatum) from Pennsylvania and Kentucky and also existing sequences in GenBank. The internal transcribed spacer (ITS)-2 region and cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (cox1) gene were amplified and sequenced. Twenty-four ITS-2 sequences were obtained from mites from bears (n = 16), red fox (n = 5), coyote (n = 2), and a porcupine. The sequences from bear samples were identical to each other or differed only at polymorphic bases, whereas S. scabiei from canids were more variable, but 2 were identical to S. scabiei sequences from bears. Eighteen cox1 sequences obtained from mites from bears represented 6 novel haplotypes. Phylogenetic analysis of cox1 sequences revealed 4 clades: 2 clades of mites of human origin from Panama or Australia, a clade of mites from rabbits from China, and a large unresolved clade that included the remaining S. scabiei sequences from various hosts and regions, including sequences from the bears from the current study. Although the cox1 gene was more variable than the ITS-2, phylogenetic analyses failed to detect any clustering of S. scabiei from eastern U.S. hosts. Rather, sequences from black bears grouped into a large clade that included S. scabiei from numerous hosts from Europe, Asia, Africa, and Australia. Collectively, these data suggest that the increasing number of S. scabiei cases in northeastern black bears is not due to the emergence and expansion of a single parasite strain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah K Peltier
- * Southeastern Cooperative Wildlife Disease Study, Department of Population Health, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia 30602
| | | | | | - Kevin D Niedringhaus
- * Southeastern Cooperative Wildlife Disease Study, Department of Population Health, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia 30602
| | | | | | | | - Michael J Yabsley
- * Southeastern Cooperative Wildlife Disease Study, Department of Population Health, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia 30602
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Latorre-Margalef N, Brown JD, Fojtik A, Poulson RL, Carter D, Franca M, Stallknecht DE. Competition between influenza A virus subtypes through heterosubtypic immunity modulates re-infection and antibody dynamics in the mallard duck. PLoS Pathog 2017. [PMID: 28640898 PMCID: PMC5481145 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1006419] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Our overall hypothesis is that host population immunity directed at multiple antigens will influence the prevalence, diversity and evolution of influenza A virus (IAV) in avian populations where the vast subtype diversity is maintained. To investigate how initial infection influences the outcome of later infections with homologous or heterologous IAV subtypes and how viruses interact through host immune responses, we carried out experimental infections in mallard ducks (Anas platyrhynchos). Mallards were pre-challenged with an H3N8 low-pathogenic IAV and were divided into six groups. At five weeks post H3N8 inoculation, each group was challenged with a different IAV subtype (H4N5, H10N7, H6N2, H12N5) or the same H3N8. Two additional pre-challenged groups were inoculated with the homologous H3N8 virus at weeks 11 and 15 after pre-challenge to evaluate the duration of protection. The results showed that mallards were still resistant to re-infection after 15 weeks. There was a significant reduction in shedding for all pre-challenged groups compared to controls and the outcome of the heterologous challenges varied according to hemagglutinin (HA) phylogenetic relatedness between the viruses used. There was a boost in the H3 antibody titer after re-infection with H4N5, which is consistent with original antigenic sin or antigenic seniority and suggest a putative strategy of virus evasion. These results imply competition between related subtypes that could regulate IAV subtype population dynamics in nature. Collectively, we provide new insights into within-host IAV complex interactions as drivers of IAV antigenic diversity that could allow the circulation of multiple subtypes in wild ducks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Neus Latorre-Margalef
- Southeastern Cooperative Wildlife Disease Study, College of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Population Health, The University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, United States of America
- Department of Biology, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
- * E-mail:
| | - Justin D. Brown
- Pennsylvania Game Commission, Pennsylvania State University, Animal Diagnostic Laboratory, University Park, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Alinde Fojtik
- Southeastern Cooperative Wildlife Disease Study, College of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Population Health, The University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, United States of America
| | - Rebecca L. Poulson
- Southeastern Cooperative Wildlife Disease Study, College of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Population Health, The University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, United States of America
| | - Deborah Carter
- Southeastern Cooperative Wildlife Disease Study, College of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Population Health, The University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, United States of America
| | - Monique Franca
- Poultry Diagnostic and Research Center, College of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Population Health, The University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, United States of America
| | - David E. Stallknecht
- Southeastern Cooperative Wildlife Disease Study, College of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Population Health, The University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, United States of America
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Brown JD, Dunn P, Wallner-Pendleton E, Kariyawasam S, Schriner T, Hofacre C, Johnson J, Boyd R. Surveillance for Pasteurella multocida in Ring-Necked Pheasants (Phasianus colchicus) After an Outbreak of Avian Cholera and Apparently Successful Antibiotic Treatment. Avian Dis 2016; 60:87-9. [PMID: 26953951 DOI: 10.1637/11301-101315-case.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
Avian cholera is a significant disease of domestic and wild birds caused by the bacterium Pasteurella multocida (PM). In poultry, a major source of PM infection is chronic carriers, domestic birds that have become infected and recovered or had subclinical infections. Although outbreaks of avian cholera in ring-necked pheasants (Phasianus colchicus) have been reported, the potential for chronic carriers is unknown. To address this, we conducted surveillance for PM in a flock of captive ring-necked pheasants after an outbreak of avian cholera that responded positively to antibiotic treatment based on resolution of morbidity and mortality. At approximately 1 mo after antibiotic treatment, oropharyngeal swabs were collected from 300 pheasants (out of a total population of ~2300) in a single winter holding pen. All samples were tested for PM through routine aerobic bacterial culture, but none of the samples were positive. In addition, there were no additional outbreaks within this infected pen over the subsequent months. These data provide preliminary evidence to suggest that pheasants that respond to antibiotic therapy may be less likely to become chronic carriers of PM than other poultry species, such as chickens (Gallus domesticus). However, due to marked phenotypic and biologic differences between PM strains, additional studies are needed to further support or refute these findings and better understand avian cholera in this species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Justin D Brown
- A Pennsylvania Game Commission, Animal Diagnostic Laboratory, Wiley Lane, University Park, PA 16802
| | - Patricia Dunn
- B Animal Diagnostic Laboratory, Penn State University, Wiley Lane, University Park, PA 16802
| | - Eva Wallner-Pendleton
- B Animal Diagnostic Laboratory, Penn State University, Wiley Lane, University Park, PA 16802
| | - Subhashinie Kariyawasam
- B Animal Diagnostic Laboratory, Penn State University, Wiley Lane, University Park, PA 16802
| | - Timothy Schriner
- C Pennsylvania Game Commission, 2001 Elmerton Avenue, Harrisburg, PA 17110
| | - Charles Hofacre
- D Poultry Diagnostic and Research Center, University of Georgia, College of Veterinary Medicine, 953 College Station Road, Athens, GA 30602
| | - Joshua Johnson
- C Pennsylvania Game Commission, 2001 Elmerton Avenue, Harrisburg, PA 17110
| | - Robert Boyd
- C Pennsylvania Game Commission, 2001 Elmerton Avenue, Harrisburg, PA 17110
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Ruder MG, Mead DG, Stallknecht DE, Kedmi M, Klement E, Brown JD, Carter DL, Howerth EW. Experimental infection of Holstein cows and calves with EHDV‑7 and preliminary evaluation of different inoculation methods. Vet Ital 2016; 51:289-99. [PMID: 26741239 DOI: 10.12834/vetit.551.2598.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
Infection of cattle with epizootic haemorrhagic disease (EHD) virus (EHDV) is frequently subclinical, yet reports of disease have increased in recent years. In 2006, a widespread EHDV‑7 epidemic caused disease and economic loss in the Israeli dairy industry. In this study, the main objective was to infect cattle with EHDV‑7 and replicate disease observed in Israel during 2006. Two infection studies were performed. Experiment 1, 4 cows inoculated with intradermal (ID) and subcutaneous (SC) injections with an EHDV‑7 blood inoculum. Experiment 2, 6 calves inoculated using 1 of the following 3 methods (2 calves/method): (1) mammalian cell culture supernatant by ID and SC injection; (2) culture supernatant by ID, SC, and intravenous injection; and (3) bite transmission from Culicoides sonorensis. Further, during experiment 2, C. sonorensis were fed on 4 infected calves (18 days post-inoculation) and processed for virus isolation 10 days later in order to evaluate infectivity of low‑titer viraemia. Three cows had detectable viraemia and all 4 seroconverted. No clinical signs were observed. All 6 calves developed viraemia, peaking 7‑10 dpi and all calves seroconverted. No differences in virus kinetics were observed between the inoculation groups. Calves in group 2 had transiently elevated rectal temperatures but no other clinical abnormalities were observed. The 124 midge pools processed after feeding on calves with low‑titer viraemia were virus isolation negative. Detectable viraemia was more consistent in calves than adult cows. This study demonstrates US‑origin cattle are susceptible to EHDV‑7 infection by multiple inoculation methods; however, as reported in other studies, the disease was not replicated experimentally.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark G Ruder
- Southeastern Cooperative Wildlife Disease Study, Department of Population Health, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602 USA
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Samuel MD, Hall JS, Brown JD, Goldberg DR, Ip H, Baranyuk VV. The dynamics of avian influenza in Lesser Snow Geese: implications for annual and migratory infection patterns. Ecol Appl 2015; 25:1851-1859. [PMID: 26591451 DOI: 10.1890/14-1820.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
Wild water birds are the natural reservoir for low-pathogenic avian influenza viruses (AIV). However, our ability to investigate the epizootiology of AIV in these migratory populations is challenging and, despite intensive worldwide surveillance, remains poorly understood. We conducted a cross-sectional, retrospective analysis in Pacific Flyway Lesser Snow Geese, Chen caerulescens, to investigate AIV serology and infection patterns. We collected nearly 3000 sera samples from Snow Geese at two breeding colonies in Russia and Canada during 1993-1996 and swab samples from >4000 birds at wintering and migration areas in the United States during 2006-2011. We found seroprevalence and annual seroconversion varied considerably among years. Seroconversion and infection rates also differed between Snow Goose breeding colonies and wintering areas, suggesting that AIV exposure in this gregarious waterfowl species is likely occurring during several phases (migration, wintering, and potentially breeding areas) of the annual cycle. We estimated AIV antibody persistence was longer (14 months) in female geese compared to males (6 months). This relatively long period of AIV antibody persistence suggests that subtype-specific serology may be an effective tool for detection of exposure to subtypes associated with highly pathogenic AIV. Our study provides further evidence of high seroprevalence in Arctic goose populations, and estimates of annual AIV seroconversion and antibody persistence for North American waterfowl. We suggest future AIV studies include serology to help elucidate the epizootiological dynamics of AIV in wild bird populations.
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36
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Thomas JM, Allison AB, Holmes EC, Phillips JE, Bunting EM, Yabsley MJ, Brown JD. Molecular Surveillance for Lymphoproliferative Disease Virus in Wild Turkeys (Meleagris gallopavo) from the Eastern United States. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0122644. [PMID: 25897755 PMCID: PMC4405500 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0122644] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2015] [Accepted: 02/23/2015] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Lymphoproliferative disease virus (LPDV) is a poorly understood, oncogenic avian retrovirus of domestic turkeys that has historically been restricted to Europe and Israel. However, a recent study reported LPDV in multiple wild turkey diagnostic cases from throughout the eastern United States of America (USA). To better understand the distribution of LPDV in the eastern USA, we surveyed 1,164 reportedly asymptomatic hunter-harvested wild turkeys from 17 states for the presence of LPDV proviral DNA by PCR. In total, 564/1,164 (47%) turkeys were positive for LPDV. Wild turkeys from each state had a relatively high prevalence of LPDV, although statewide prevalence varied from 26 to 83%. Phylogenetic analysis revealed two major clades of LPDV in the USA, although one was at a low frequency suggesting restricted transmission, as well as significant clustering by state of isolation. To determine the best tissue to target for diagnostic purposes, liver, spleen, and bone marrow were tested from a subset of 15 hunter-harvested wild turkeys and 20 wild turkey diagnostic cases. Overall, bone marrow provided the highest level of detection for both hunter-harvested turkeys and diagnostic cases. The sensitivity of LPDV detection between tissues was not significantly different for diagnostic cases, but was for hunter-harvested birds. These results indicate that LPDV infection is common and widespread in wild turkey populations throughout the eastern USA, even without overt signs of disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jesse M. Thomas
- Southeastern Cooperative Wildlife Disease Study, Department of Population Health, 589 D.W. Brooks Drive, Wildlife Health Building, College of Veterinary Medicine, The University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, United States of America
- Daniel B. Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources, The University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, United States of America
| | - Andrew B. Allison
- Baker Institute for Animal Health, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, United States of America
| | - Edward C. Holmes
- Marie Bashir Institute for Infectious Diseases and Biosecurity, Charles Perkins Centre, School of Biological Sciences and Sydney Medical School, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Jamie E. Phillips
- Southeastern Cooperative Wildlife Disease Study, Department of Population Health, 589 D.W. Brooks Drive, Wildlife Health Building, College of Veterinary Medicine, The University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, United States of America
| | - Elizabeth M. Bunting
- Animal Health Diagnostic Center, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, United States of America
| | - Michael J. Yabsley
- Southeastern Cooperative Wildlife Disease Study, Department of Population Health, 589 D.W. Brooks Drive, Wildlife Health Building, College of Veterinary Medicine, The University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, United States of America
- Daniel B. Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources, The University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, United States of America
| | - Justin D. Brown
- Southeastern Cooperative Wildlife Disease Study, Department of Population Health, 589 D.W. Brooks Drive, Wildlife Health Building, College of Veterinary Medicine, The University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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Abstract
Avian infection studies with influenza A virus are an important means of assessing host susceptibility, viral pathogenesis, host responses to infection, mechanisms of transmission, and viral pathotype. Complex systems and natural settings may also be explored with carefully designed infection studies. In this chapter, we explore the elements of infection studies, general guidelines for choosing a virus to use, host selection, and many aspects of study design.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carol J Cardona
- College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Minnesota, Ben Pomeroy Chair in Avian Health, 1971 Commonwealth, St. Paul, MN, 55108, USA,
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Lebarbenchon C, Pedersen JC, Sreevatsan S, Ramey AM, Dugan VG, Halpin RA, Ferro PJ, Lupiani B, Enomoto S, Poulson RL, Smeltzer M, Cardona CJ, Tompkins SM, Wentworth DE, Stallknecht DE, Brown JD. H7N9 influenza A virus in turkeys in Minnesota. J Gen Virol 2014; 96:269-276. [PMID: 25351723 DOI: 10.1099/vir.0.067504-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Introductions of H7 influenza A virus (IAV) from wild birds into poultry have been documented worldwide, resulting in varying degrees of morbidity and mortality. H7 IAV infection in domestic poultry has served as a source of human infection and disease. We report the detection of H7N9 subtype IAVs in Minnesota (MN) turkey farms during 2009 and 2011. The full genome was sequenced from eight isolates as well as the haemagglutinin (HA) and neuraminidase (NA) gene segments of H7 and N9 virus subtypes for 108 isolates from North American wild birds between 1986 and 2012. Through maximum-likelihood and coalescent phylogenetic analyses, we identified the recent H7 and N9 IAV ancestors of the turkey-origin H7N9 IAVs, estimated the time and geographical origin of the ancestral viruses, and determined the relatedness between the 2009 and 2011 turkey-origin H7N9 IAVs. Analyses supported that the 2009 and 2011 viruses were distantly related genetically, suggesting that the two outbreaks arose from independent introduction events from wild birds. Our findings further supported that the 2011 MN turkey-origin H7N9 virus was closely related to H7N9 IAVs isolated in poultry in Nebraska during the same year. Although the precise origin of the wild-bird donor of the turkey-origin H7N9 IAVs could not be determined, our findings suggested that, for both the NA and HA gene segments, the MN turkey-origin H7N9 viruses were related to viruses circulating in wild birds between 2006 and 2011 in the Mississippi Flyway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Camille Lebarbenchon
- Southeastern Cooperative Wildlife Disease Study, Department of Population Health, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA
| | - Janice C Pedersen
- National Veterinary Services Laboratories, 1920 Dayton Avenue, Ames, IA 50010, USA
| | - Srinand Sreevatsan
- Veterinary Population Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Minnesota, St Paul, MN 55108, USA
| | - Andrew M Ramey
- US Geological Survey Alaska Science Center, 4210 University Drive, Anchorage, AK 99508, USA.,Southeastern Cooperative Wildlife Disease Study, Department of Population Health, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA
| | - Vivien G Dugan
- J. Craig Venter Institute, 9704 Medical Center Drive, Rockville, MD 20850, USA
| | - Rebecca A Halpin
- J. Craig Venter Institute, 9704 Medical Center Drive, Rockville, MD 20850, USA
| | - Pamela J Ferro
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA
| | - Blanca Lupiani
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA
| | - Shinichiro Enomoto
- Veterinary Population Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Minnesota, St Paul, MN 55108, USA
| | - Rebecca L Poulson
- Southeastern Cooperative Wildlife Disease Study, Department of Population Health, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA
| | - Martin Smeltzer
- National Veterinary Services Laboratories, 1920 Dayton Avenue, Ames, IA 50010, USA
| | - Carol J Cardona
- Department of Veterinary Biomedical Sciences, University of Minnesota, St Paul, MN 55108, USA
| | - S Mark Tompkins
- Department of Infectious Diseases, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA
| | - David E Wentworth
- J. Craig Venter Institute, 9704 Medical Center Drive, Rockville, MD 20850, USA
| | - David E Stallknecht
- Southeastern Cooperative Wildlife Disease Study, Department of Population Health, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA
| | - Justin D Brown
- Southeastern Cooperative Wildlife Disease Study, Department of Population Health, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA
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Ramey AM, Walther P, Link P, Poulson RL, Wilcox BR, Newsome G, Spackman E, Brown JD, Stallknecht DE. Optimizing Surveillance for South American Origin Influenza A Viruses Along the United States Gulf Coast Through Genomic Characterization of Isolates from Blue-winged Teal (Anas discors). Transbound Emerg Dis 2014; 63:194-202. [PMID: 25056712 DOI: 10.1111/tbed.12244] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2014] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Relative to research focused on inter-continental viral exchange between Eurasia and North America, less attention has been directed towards understanding the redistribution of influenza A viruses (IAVs) by wild birds between North America and South America. In this study, we genomically characterized 45 viruses isolated from blue-winged teal (Anas discors) along the Texas and Louisiana Gulf Coast during March of 2012 and 2013, coincident with northward migration of this species from Neotropical wintering areas to breeding grounds in the United States and Canada. No evidence of South American lineage genes was detected in IAVs isolated from blue-winged teal supporting restricted viral gene flow between the United States and southern South America. However, it is plausible that blue-winged teal redistribute IAVs between North American breeding grounds and wintering areas throughout the Neotropics, including northern South America, and that viral gene flow is limited by geographical barriers further south (e.g., the Amazon Basin). Surveillance for the introduction of IAVs from Central America and northern South America into the United States may be further optimized through genomic characterization of viruses resulting from coordinated, concurrent sampling efforts targeting blue-winged teal and sympatric species throughout the Neotropics and along the United States Gulf Coast.
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Affiliation(s)
- A M Ramey
- US Geological Survey, Alaska Science Center, Anchorage, AK, USA.,Department of Population Health, Southeastern Cooperative Wildlife Disease Study, College of Veterinary Medicine, The University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA
| | - P Walther
- US Fish and Wildlife Service, Texas Chenier Plain Refuge Complex, Anahuac, TX, USA
| | - P Link
- Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, Baton Rouge, LA, USA
| | - R L Poulson
- Department of Population Health, Southeastern Cooperative Wildlife Disease Study, College of Veterinary Medicine, The University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA
| | - B R Wilcox
- Department of Population Health, Southeastern Cooperative Wildlife Disease Study, College of Veterinary Medicine, The University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA
| | - G Newsome
- City of Beaumont Wastewater Treatment Plant, Beaumont, TX, USA
| | - E Spackman
- Southeast Poultry Research Laboratory, US Department of Agriculture, Agriculture Research Service, Athens, GA, USA
| | - J D Brown
- Department of Population Health, Southeastern Cooperative Wildlife Disease Study, College of Veterinary Medicine, The University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA
| | - D E Stallknecht
- Department of Population Health, Southeastern Cooperative Wildlife Disease Study, College of Veterinary Medicine, The University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA
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Ramey AM, Poulson RL, González-Reiche AS, Perez DR, Stallknecht DE, Brown JD. Genomic characterization of H14 subtype Influenza A viruses in new world waterfowl and experimental infectivity in mallards (Anas platyrhynchos). PLoS One 2014; 9:e95620. [PMID: 24788792 PMCID: PMC4006863 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0095620] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2014] [Accepted: 03/28/2014] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Recent repeated isolation of H14 hemagglutinin subtype influenza A viruses (IAVs) in the New World waterfowl provides evidence to suggest that host and/or geographic ranges for viruses of this subtype may be expanding. In this study, we used genomic analyses to gain inference on the origin and evolution of H14 viruses in New World waterfowl and conducted an experimental challenge study in mallards (Anas platyrhynchos) to evaluate pathogenicity, viral replication, and transmissibility of a representative viral strain in a natural host species. Genomic characterization of H14 subtype IAVs isolated from New World waterfowl, including three isolates sequenced specifically for this study, revealed high nucleotide identity among individual gene segments (e.g. ≥95% shared identity among H14 HA gene segments). In contrast, lower shared identity was observed among internal gene segments. Furthermore, multiple neuraminidase subtypes were observed for H14 IAVs isolated in the New World. Gene segments of H14 viruses isolated after 2010 shared ancestral genetic lineages with IAVs isolated from wild birds throughout North America. Thus, genomic characterization provided evidence for viral evolution in New World waterfowl through genetic drift and genetic shift since purported introduction from Eurasia. In the challenge study, no clinical disease or lesions were observed among mallards experimentally inoculated with A/blue-winged teal/Texas/AI13-1028/2013(H14N5) or exposed via contact with infected birds. Titers of viral shedding for mallards challenged with the H14N5 IAV were highest at two days post-inoculation (DPI); however shedding was detected up to nine DPI using cloacal swabs. The distribution of viral antigen among mallards infected with H14N5 IAV was largely restricted to enterocytes lining the villi in the lower intestinal tract and in the epithelium of the bursa of Fabricius. Characterization of the infectivity of A/blue-winged teal/Texas/AI13-1028/2013(H14N5) in mallards provides support for similarities in viral replication and shedding as compared to previously described waterfowl-adapted, low pathogenic IAV strains in ducks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew M. Ramey
- US Geological Survey, Alaska Science Center, Anchorage, Alaska, United States of America
- Southeastern Cooperative Wildlife Disease Study, College of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Population Health, The University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, United States of America
- * E-mail:
| | - Rebecca L. Poulson
- Southeastern Cooperative Wildlife Disease Study, College of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Population Health, The University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, United States of America
| | - Ana S. González-Reiche
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Maryland College Park, Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine, College Park, Maryland, United States of America
- Centro de Estudios en Salud, Universidad del Valle de Guatemala, Guatemala City, Guatemala
| | - Daniel R. Perez
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Maryland College Park, Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine, College Park, Maryland, United States of America
| | - David E. Stallknecht
- Southeastern Cooperative Wildlife Disease Study, College of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Population Health, The University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, United States of America
| | - Justin D. Brown
- Southeastern Cooperative Wildlife Disease Study, College of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Population Health, The University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, United States of America
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Abstract
Influenza A viruses are a threat to poultry and human health. We investigated evolution of influenza A virus H7 and N9 subtypes in wild and domestic birds. Influenza A(H7N9) virus probably emerged after a long silent circulation in live poultry markets in eastern Asia.
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Magenwirth J, Nemeth NM, Yabsley MJ, Munk BA, Keel MK, Brown JD. Infestation of two brown-headed cowbirds (Molothrus ater) with the hunchback mite (Harpirhynchus quasimodo). Avian Dis 2014; 57:818-21. [PMID: 24597129 DOI: 10.1637/10526-031113-case.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
A recently described North American mite, Harpirhynchus quasimodo (Acariformes: Harpirhynchidae), was identified in a wild brown-headed cowbird (Molothrus ater) from Tennessee and another from Arkansas, U. S. A., during 2010 and 2011, respectively. Consistent with a single previous report of H. quasimodo infestation, both cowbirds had multiple skin masses composed of epidermal cysts filled with harpirhynchid mites, keratin, and cellular debris. Although very little is currently known about this avian mite, these three reports suggest that H. quasimodo infestation is a rare source of overt disease in free-ranging brown-headed cowbirds from the southeastern United States; however, further research and surveillance efforts are needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica Magenwirth
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Nicole M Nemeth
- Southeastern Cooperative Wildlife Disease Study, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA
| | - Michael J Yabsley
- Southeastern Cooperative Wildlife Disease Study, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA
| | - Brandon A Munk
- Southeastern Cooperative Wildlife Disease Study, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA
| | - M Kevin Keel
- Southeastern Cooperative Wildlife Disease Study, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA
| | - Justin D Brown
- Southeastern Cooperative Wildlife Disease Study, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA
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Brown VL, Drake JM, Barton HD, Stallknecht DE, Brown JD, Rohani P. Neutrality, cross-immunity and subtype dominance in avian influenza viruses. PLoS One 2014; 9:e88817. [PMID: 24586401 PMCID: PMC3934864 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0088817] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2012] [Accepted: 01/16/2014] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Avian influenza viruses (AIVs) are considered a threat for their potential to seed human influenza pandemics. Despite their acknowledged importance, there are significant unknowns regarding AIV transmission dynamics in their natural hosts, wild birds. Of particular interest is the difference in subtype dynamics between human and bird populations-in human populations, typically only two or three subtypes cocirculate, while avian populations are capable of simultaneously hosting a multitude of subtypes. One species in particular-ruddy turnstones (Arenaria interpres)--has been found to harbour a very wide range of AIV subtypes, which could make them a key player in the spread of new subtypes in wild bird populations. Very little is known about the mechanisms that drive subtype dynamics in this species, and here we address this gap in our knowledge. Taking advantage of two independent sources of data collected from ruddy turnstones in Delaware Bay, USA, we examine patterns of subtype diversity and dominance at this site. We compare these patterns to those produced by a stochastic, multi-strain transmission model to investigate possible mechanisms that are parsimonious with the observed subtype dynamics. We find, in agreement with earlier experimental work, that subtype differences are unnecessary to replicate the observed dynamics, and that neutrality alone is sufficient. We also evaluate the role of subtype cross-immunity and find that it is not necessary to generate patterns consistent with observations. This work offers new insights into the mechanisms behind subtype diversity and dominance in a species that has the potential to be a key player in AIV dynamics in wild bird populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vicki L. Brown
- Department of Ecology & Evolutionary Biology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States of America
- Center for the Study of Complex Systems, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States of America
| | - John M. Drake
- Odum School of Ecology, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, United States of America
| | - Heather D. Barton
- Odum School of Ecology, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, United States of America
| | - David E. Stallknecht
- Southeastern Cooperative Wildlife Disease Study, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, United States of America
| | - Justin D. Brown
- Southeastern Cooperative Wildlife Disease Study, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, United States of America
| | - Pejman Rohani
- Department of Ecology & Evolutionary Biology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States of America
- Center for the Study of Complex Systems, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States of America
- Fogarty International Center, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, United States of America
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Abstract
Avian influenza (AI) viruses have been isolated from a wide-diversity of free-living avian species representing several taxonomic orders. Isolations are most frequently reported from aquatic birds in the Orders Anseriformes and Charadriiformes, which are believed to be the primordial reservoirs for all AI viruses. Since first recognized in the late 1800s, AI viruses have been an important agent of disease in poultry and, occasionally, of non-gallinaceous birds and mammals. However, recent infections of humans with AI viruses, including highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 virus and low pathogenicity H7N9 AI virus in China during 2013, have increased the awareness of their potential to impact agricultural, wildlife, and public health. This chapter is intended to give general concepts and guidelines for planning and implementing surveillance programs for AI virus in wild birds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Justin D Brown
- Southeastern Cooperative Wildlife Disease Study, Department of Population Health, College of Veterinary Medicine, The University of Georgia, Wildlife Health Building, 589 D.W. Brooks Drive, Athens, GA, 30602-7393, USA,
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Kistler WM, Brown JD, Allison AB, Nemeth NM, Yabsley MJ. First report of Angiostrongylus vasorum and Hepatozoon from a red fox (Vulpes vulpes) from West Virginia, USA. Vet Parasitol 2013; 200:216-20. [PMID: 24412356 DOI: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2013.12.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2013] [Revised: 12/06/2013] [Accepted: 12/11/2013] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
Angiostrongylus vasorum was identified in the lungs of a red fox (Vulpes vulpes) from West Virginia, United States (US), indicating a new geographical location for this metastrongylid nematode. The fox was euthanized and submitted for necropsy after displaying erratic behavior. We did not detect rabies virus or canine distemper virus from the fox. We observed bronchopneumonia associated with A. vasorum infection disseminated in both lungs. In addition, protozoal meronts were observed in the liver, spleen, and mesenteric lymph node, and were identified as Hepatozoon canis. Lymphoid depletion was also observed in the spleen and mesenteric lymph node. In addition to A. vasorum and H. canis infections, Eucoleus aerophilus eggs and adult worms were observed in the lungs of the fox. Severe lesions associated with A. vasorum infection were observed in the lungs and these were determined to be the likely cause of morbidity; however, synergistic effects among the multiple infections detected in this fox cannot be ruled out. This is the first report of an autochthonous A. vasorum infection in the US and from outside of Newfoundland Canada, the only place in North America where the parasite is known to be endemic. Additionally, this is the first report of a H. canis infection in a red fox from the US.
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Affiliation(s)
- Whitney M Kistler
- Southeastern Cooperative Wildlife Disease Study, Department of Population Health, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA; Daniel B. Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA.
| | - Justin D Brown
- Southeastern Cooperative Wildlife Disease Study, Department of Population Health, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA
| | - Andrew B Allison
- Southeastern Cooperative Wildlife Disease Study, Department of Population Health, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA; College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA
| | - Nicole M Nemeth
- Southeastern Cooperative Wildlife Disease Study, Department of Population Health, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA; Department of Pathology, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA; Department of Pathobiology, Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada N1G 2W1
| | - Michael J Yabsley
- Southeastern Cooperative Wildlife Disease Study, Department of Population Health, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA; Daniel B. Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA
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Allison AB, Kevin Keel M, Philips JE, Cartoceti AN, Munk BA, Nemeth NM, Welsh TI, Thomas JM, Crum JM, Lichtenwalner AB, Fadly AM, Zavala G, Holmes EC, Brown JD. Avian oncogenesis induced by lymphoproliferative disease virus: a neglected or emerging retroviral pathogen? Virology 2013; 450-451:2-12. [PMID: 24503062 DOI: 10.1016/j.virol.2013.11.037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2013] [Revised: 11/07/2013] [Accepted: 11/25/2013] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
Lymphoproliferative disease virus (LPDV) is an exogenous oncogenic retrovirus that induces lymphoid tumors in some galliform species of birds. Historically, outbreaks of LPDV have been reported from Europe and Israel. Although the virus has previously never been detected in North America, herein we describe the widespread distribution, genetic diversity, pathogenesis, and evolution of LPDV in the United States. Characterization of the provirus genome of the index LPDV case from North America demonstrated an 88% nucleotide identity to the Israeli prototype strain. Although phylogenetic analysis indicated that the majority of viruses fell into a single North American lineage, a small subset of viruses from South Carolina were most closely related to the Israeli prototype. These results suggest that LPDV was transferred between continents to initiate outbreaks of disease. However, the direction (New World to Old World or vice versa), mechanism, and time frame of the transcontinental spread currently remain unknown.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew B Allison
- Baker Institute for Animal Health, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA; Southeastern Cooperative Wildlife Disease Study, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA.
| | - M Kevin Keel
- Southeastern Cooperative Wildlife Disease Study, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA
| | - Jamie E Philips
- Southeastern Cooperative Wildlife Disease Study, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA
| | - Andrew N Cartoceti
- Southeastern Cooperative Wildlife Disease Study, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA
| | - Brandon A Munk
- Southeastern Cooperative Wildlife Disease Study, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA
| | - Nicole M Nemeth
- Southeastern Cooperative Wildlife Disease Study, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA
| | - Trista I Welsh
- Southeastern Cooperative Wildlife Disease Study, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA
| | - Jesse M Thomas
- Southeastern Cooperative Wildlife Disease Study, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA
| | - James M Crum
- West Virginia Division of Natural Resources, Elkins, WV 26241, USA
| | - Anne B Lichtenwalner
- Department of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, University of Maine Animal Health Laboratory, University of Maine, Orono, ME 04469, USA
| | - Aly M Fadly
- United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Avian Disease and Oncology Laboratory, East Lansing, MI 48823, USA
| | - Guillermo Zavala
- Poultry Diagnostic Research Center, Department of Population Health, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA
| | - Edward C Holmes
- Marie Bashir Institute for Infectious Diseases and Biosecurity, School of Biological Sciences and Sydney Medical School, University of Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
| | - Justin D Brown
- Southeastern Cooperative Wildlife Disease Study, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA
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Pepin KM, Spackman E, Brown JD, Pabilonia KL, Garber LP, Weaver JT, Kennedy DA, Patyk KA, Huyvaert KP, Miller RS, Franklin AB, Pedersen K, Bogich TL, Rohani P, Shriner SA, Webb CT, Riley S. Using quantitative disease dynamics as a tool for guiding response to avian influenza in poultry in the United States of America. Prev Vet Med 2013; 113:376-97. [PMID: 24462191 PMCID: PMC3945821 DOI: 10.1016/j.prevetmed.2013.11.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2013] [Revised: 11/22/2013] [Accepted: 11/24/2013] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
Wild birds are the primary source of genetic diversity for influenza A viruses that eventually emerge in poultry and humans. Much progress has been made in the descriptive ecology of avian influenza viruses (AIVs), but contributions are less evident from quantitative studies (e.g., those including disease dynamic models). Transmission between host species, individuals and flocks has not been measured with sufficient accuracy to allow robust quantitative evaluation of alternate control protocols. We focused on the United States of America (USA) as a case study for determining the state of our quantitative knowledge of potential AIV emergence processes from wild hosts to poultry. We identified priorities for quantitative research that would build on existing tools for responding to AIV in poultry and concluded that the following knowledge gaps can be addressed with current empirical data: (1) quantification of the spatio-temporal relationships between AIV prevalence in wild hosts and poultry populations, (2) understanding how the structure of different poultry sectors impacts within-flock transmission, (3) determining mechanisms and rates of between-farm spread, and (4) validating current policy-decision tools with data. The modeling studies we recommend will improve our mechanistic understanding of potential AIV transmission patterns in USA poultry, leading to improved measures of accuracy and reduced uncertainty when evaluating alternative control strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- K M Pepin
- Department of Biology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, USA; Fogarty International Center, National Institute of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA.
| | - E Spackman
- Southeast Poultry Research Laboratory, Agricultural Research Service, United States Department of Agriculture, Athens, GA, USA.
| | - J D Brown
- Department of Population Health, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA.
| | - K L Pabilonia
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Pathology, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, USA.
| | - L P Garber
- Centers for Epidemiology and Animal Health, Veterinary Services, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, United States Department of Agriculture, Fort Collins, CO, USA.
| | - J T Weaver
- Centers for Epidemiology and Animal Health, Veterinary Services, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, United States Department of Agriculture, Fort Collins, CO, USA.
| | - D A Kennedy
- Fogarty International Center, National Institute of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA; Center for Infectious Disease Dynamics, Department of Biology, Pennsylvania State University, State College, PA, USA.
| | - K A Patyk
- Centers for Epidemiology and Animal Health, Veterinary Services, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, United States Department of Agriculture, Fort Collins, CO, USA.
| | - K P Huyvaert
- Warner College of Natural Resources, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, USA.
| | - R S Miller
- Centers for Epidemiology and Animal Health, Veterinary Services, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, United States Department of Agriculture, Fort Collins, CO, USA.
| | - A B Franklin
- National Wildlife Research Center, Wildlife Services, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, United States Department of Agriculture, Fort Collins, CO, USA.
| | - K Pedersen
- National Wildlife Research Center, Wildlife Services, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, United States Department of Agriculture, Fort Collins, CO, USA.
| | - T L Bogich
- Fogarty International Center, National Institute of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA; Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ, USA.
| | - P Rohani
- Fogarty International Center, National Institute of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA; Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Center for the Study of Complex Systems, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.
| | - S A Shriner
- National Wildlife Research Center, Wildlife Services, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, United States Department of Agriculture, Fort Collins, CO, USA.
| | - C T Webb
- Department of Biology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, USA; Fogarty International Center, National Institute of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA.
| | - S Riley
- Fogarty International Center, National Institute of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA; MRC Centre for Outbreak Analysis and Disease Modelling, Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Imperial College London, Norfolk Place, London, UK.
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48
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Nemeth NM, Ruder MG, Gerhold RW, Brown JD, Munk BA, Oesterle PT, Kubiski SV, Keel MK. Demodectic mange, dermatophilosis, and other parasitic and bacterial dermatologic diseases in free-ranging white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) in the United States from 1975 to 2012. Vet Pathol 2013; 51:633-40. [PMID: 23912715 DOI: 10.1177/0300985813498783] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
The white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) is a common and widespread North American game species. To evaluate the incidence, clinical manifestations, demography, and pathology of bacterial and parasitic dermatologic diseases in white-tailed deer in the southeastern United States, we retrospectively evaluated white-tailed deer cases submitted to the Southeastern Cooperative Wildlife Disease Study from 1975 to 2012. Among 2569 deer examined, bacterial or parasitic dermatologic disease was diagnosed in 88 (3.4%) individuals, with Demodex spp (n = 37; 42.0%) and Dermatophilus congolensis (n = 19; 21.6%) as the most common causes. Demodicosis was significantly more common in deer older than 2 years and was most often detected in the fall; no statistically significant sex predilection was identified. Affected animals had patchy to generalized alopecia, often distributed over the head, neck, limbs, and trunk; microscopic lesions included epidermal crusts and cutaneous nodules with mild perifollicular, lymphoplasmacytic inflammation. Dermatophilosis was most common in males younger than 1 year that were often found dead. Crusting, erythema, and alopecia occurred on the face, ears, and distal extremities. Less commonly, infectious dermatologic diseases were associated with other bacteria (n = 13; 14.8%), fungi (n = 5; 5.7%), ectoparasites (chiggers, lice, mites, and ticks; n = 11; 12.5%), and larval nematodes (n = 7; 8.0%). Population-level effects of these diseases in white-tailed deer are likely minimal; however, due to their dramatic presentation, demodicosis, dermatophilosis, and other infectious skin diseases can be of concern to hunters and, in some cases, may have zoonotic potential.
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Affiliation(s)
- N M Nemeth
- Department of Pathology, University of Georgia, 501 D.W. Brooks Dr, Athens, GA 30602, USA.
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49
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Ramey AM, Spackman E, Yeh JY, Fujita G, Konishi K, Uchida K, Reed JA, Wilcox BR, Brown JD, Stallknecht DE. Antibodies to H5 subtype avian influenza virus and Japanese encephalitis virus in northern pintails (Anas acuta) sampled in Japan. Jpn J Vet Res 2013; 61:117-123. [PMID: 24059097] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
Blood samples from 105 northern pintails (Anas acuta) captured on Hokkaido, Japan were tested for antibodies to avian influenza virus (AIV), Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV), and West Nile virus (WNV) to assess possible involvement of this species in the spread of economically important and potentially zoonotic pathogens. Antibodies to AIV were detected in 64 of 105 samples (61%). Of the 64 positives, 95% and 81% inhibited agglutination of two different H5 AIV antigens (H5N1 and H5N9), respectively. Antibodies to JEV and WNV were detected in five (5%) and none of the samples, respectively. Results provide evidence for prior exposure of migrating northern pintails to H5 AIV which couldhave implications for viral shedding and disease occurrence. Results also provide evidence for limited involvement of this species in the transmission and spread of flaviviruses during spring migration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew M Ramey
- US Geological Survey, Alaska Science Center, 4210 University Drive, Anchorage, Alaska 99508, USA.
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50
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Nemeth NM, Brown JD, Stallknecht DE, Howerth EW, Newman SH, Swayne DE. Experimental infection of bar-headed geese (Anser indicus) and ruddy shelducks (Tadorna ferruginea) with a clade 2.3.2 H5N1 highly pathogenic avian influenza virus. Vet Pathol 2013; 50:961-70. [PMID: 23735616 DOI: 10.1177/0300985813490758] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
Since 2005, clade 2.2 H5N1 highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) viruses have caused infections and morbidity among numerous species of wild waterfowl in Eurasia and Africa. However, outbreaks associated with clade 2.3.2 viruses have increased since 2009, and viruses within this clade have become the dominant strain of the H5N1 HPAI virus detected in wild birds, reaching endemic status in domestic birds in select regions of Asia. To address questions regarding the emergence and expansion of clade 2.3.2 viruses, 2 waterfowl species repeatedly involved in outbreaks of H5N1 HPAI viruses, bar-headed geese (Anser indicus) and ruddy shelducks (Tadorna ferruginea), were inoculated with a representative virus. All of 3 infected ruddy shelducks exhibited neurologic signs and died within 4 to 5 days. Two of 3 infected bar-headed geese had transient weakness but all survived. Viral shedding was predominately via the oropharynx and was detected from 1 to 7 days after inoculation. The severity and distribution of microscopic lesions corresponded with clinical disease and influenza-specific immunohistochemical staining of neurons. The predominant lesions were in the brain and were more severe in ruddy shelducks. Increased caspase-3 reactivity in the brains of all infected birds suggests a role for apoptosis in H5N1 HPAI virus pathogenesis in these species. These results demonstrate that similar to clade 2.2 viruses, a clade 2.3.2 H5N1 HPAI virus is neurotropic in some waterfowl species and can lead to neurologic disease with varying clinical outcomes. This has implications for the role that wild waterfowl may play in transmission of this virus in endemic regions.
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Affiliation(s)
- N M Nemeth
- Southeastern Cooperative Wildlife Disease Study, University of Georgia, 538 D. W. Brooks Dr, Athens, GA 30602, USA.
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