Health monitoring based on post-mortem examination is essential for the management of endangered animal species. This is especially true for reintroduced species living in small populations with low genetic diversity, such as the Eurasian lynx (Lynx lynx) in Switzerland. Thanks to systematic post-mortem examinations, the Institute for Fish and Wildlife Health (FIWI), University of Bern, has acquired a comprehensive view of the lynx health in Switzerland. This study provides an updated overview of the causes of morbidity and mortality in the Eurasian lynx in Switzerland from 2000 to 2022. A total of 346 necropsied lynx (found dead, euthanized, or culled) were included in this study, and a cause of death (COD) was identified in 318 of them (91.9%). Overall, the main COD was blunt trauma (n = 183, 52.9% - largely vehicular collision). Starvation, resulting from the separation of dependent juveniles from their mother, was the second most frequent COD (n = 63, 18.2%). Fatal infectious diseases were relatively low (n = 32, 9.2%). However, we documented some significant pathogens such as canine distemper virus (CDV) and metastrongyloid nematodes. Illegal killing was confirmed in 23 cases (6.6%). Of note, illegal killing is likely underestimated in this study, given that radio-collared lynx were found to be proportionally more often illegally killed than the unmonitored ones found by chance. Furthermore, most individuals were found to be affected at least by one non-specific, mild to moderate inflammatory process of unknown origin, such as interstitial pneumonia (n = 59) or interstitial nephritis (n = 25). Additionally, cardiac changes of variable severity were observed in 125 lynx, and severe soft tissue mineralization was detected in 10 individuals. The frequency of these findings warrants further investigation. Thus, this study confirms the importance of systemic post-mortem examination and general health surveillance of free-ranging Eurasian lynx in Switzerland, in support of translocation projects, conservation of the species, and to provide a better understanding of their pathologies.
The transmission of Schistosoma japonicum is closely related to the surrounding natural environment and socio-economic factors. In recent years, the ecological environmental management program has been implemented in S. japonicum endemic areas around Erhai Lake of China. Relevant protection and governance measures affected the transmission of S. japonicum. This study was conducted to assess the impact of ecological environmental management program on S. japonicum control, and proposed strategic alternatives with a prioritized order of implementation in Erhai Lake. An integrated SWOT-ANP-ADAM analysis is performed to accomplish the set objective in this study. The strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats (SWOT) analysis is conducted to identify the impact factors of ecological environmental management program on S. japonicum control and strategic alternatives. The Analytical Network Process (ANP) was used to evaluate the impact factors, and the Axial Distance-Based Aggregated Measurement (ADAM) method was applied to constructed multi-faceted polyhedron for the ranking the strategic alternatives, thereby better informing decisions for synergistic ecological-disease management. A total of 14 impact factors and 12 strategic alternatives were obtained. The relative importance of the group of impact factors is ranked as strengths, opportunities, weaknesses, and threats, with weights equal to 0.3092, 0.2610, 0.2324, and 0.1975, respectively. The Chinese central government's prioritization of S. japonicum control and ecological environmental management (weight equal to 0.1562), as well as the lack of a top-level cooperative mechanism designed to integrate S. japonicum control and ecological environmental management (weight equal to 0.1424), are the most noteworthy factors. In ecological environmental management program of Erhai Lake, management of agricultural non-point source pollution (weight equal to 0.1209), construction of high-efficiency water-saving irrigation systems(weight equal to 0.0853) reduce the risk of S. japonicum transmission, while the wetland restoration may create more favorable habitats for Oncomelania hupensis, as well as increase the number of wildlife populations posing challenges for S. japonicum control(weight equal to 0.0700). Additionally, construction of the ecological management- S. japonicum control model in an integrated manner is the most important strategy (volume of complex polyhedron equal to 0.0693). Ecological environmental management program in the Erhai Lake has significant strengths and opportunities in promoting S. japonicum control, but also faces certain weaknesses and threats according to the weight of impact factors. This study confirms ecological environmental management as a viable complementary strategy to conventional S. japonicum control. Scientific planning and comprehensive integration can maximize synergies between schistosomiasis control and ecological protection. Additionally, 12 strategic alternatives with prioritized implementation may provide suggestions for decision makers in similar areas to adopt strategic decisions, which are of great practical significance and application value.
To examine whether Indigenous Peoples' and Local Communities' (IPLC) ontologies are associated with knowledge, attitudes and practices (KAP) related to wildlife cohabitation and zoonotic disease transmission in biodiversity-rich areas of Latin America. Cross-sectional household survey using a standardised KAP questionnaire. Ontologies were classified using latent class analysis. Associations between ontology classes and outcomes were assessed using multivariable logistic regression models. Urban, rural and protected areas in biodiversity-rich regions of Bolivia, Brazil, Chile and Guatemala. A total of 2903 individuals aged ≥10 years were recruited through random household sampling (response rate 85%). Primary outcomes were defined according to the KAP framework. Knowledge outcomes comprised combined knowledge of zoonotic disease transmission from wildlife to humans and knowledge of zoonotic risks associated with wildlife trade. Perceived training needs related to zoonotic disease prevention were analysed as a secondary knowledge outcome measure. Attitudes were measured through risk perception, operationalised as concern about zoonotic disease transmission. Practices included self-reported hunting and slaughtering of wildlife. The analysis identified three distinct ontology classes: Relational environmentalism (52% of the population), characterised by strong spiritual connections to animals and a tendency to protect wildlife; Dualistic environmentalism (28%), with a weaker spiritual connection to animals but a commitment to wildlife conservation; and Neutral (20%), demonstrating little spiritual connection to animals and a neutral attitude towards wildlife conservation. In the logistic regression analyses, both environmentalism groups exhibited greater knowledge of zoonotic transmission and concern about outbreaks, with members of the Relational class demonstrating higher levels of these attributes. Furthermore, members of the Dualistic environmentalism class were less likely to have close contact with animals. In Latin America's biodiversity-rich regions, individuals whose ontology aligns with environmentalism appear to demonstrate a heightened awareness of zoonoses, particularly those who adhere to a Relational environmentalism perspective. Consequently, the integration of IPLC cultural knowledge holds potential to enhance wildlife conservation measures and contribute to the mitigation of disease transmission. Further research is needed to explore causal pathways and the integration of culturally grounded approaches into public health interventions.
Alopecic syndrome in Guadalupe fur seals, Arctocephalus philippii townsendii (GFSs), was first observed a decade ago, coinciding with an anomalous warm sea surface temperature event and shifts in foraging behaviors of otariid pinnipeds from Mexican North Pacific colonies. With no evidence of dermatophytes or ectoparasites commonly associated with alopecia, it has been proposed that nutritional or metabolic changes, secondary to altered foraging, may increase the risk of alopecia. We employed 16S rRNA gene deep sequencing to investigate changes in the fecal bacteriome of GFS with and without alopecia. We found no significant differences in species richness nor Simpson's diversity index, and alopecia accounted for less than 6% of the variation in bacteriome structure. However, five bacterial phyla (Bacteroidota, Firmicutes, Fusobacteriota, Proteobacteria, and Spirochaetota) were overrepresented, and two (Actinobacteriota and Campylobacterota) were underrepresented, in GFSs with alopecia. At the genus level, animals with alopecia had a higher abundance of various bacteria, including Parabacteroides, Bacteroides, Lachnospiraceae, Roseburia, and genera within Erysipelotrichaceae, which have been linked to alopecia in humans. The GFS fecal bacteriome revealed 322 distinct bacterial functional pathways, of which 163 varied significantly between cases and controls. The most prominent differences found in GFSs with alopecia were overrepresentation of critical precursors for bacterial cell wall components, aromatic amino acid biosynthesis and pantothenate and CoA biosynthesis, and underrepresentation of glucosyltransferases and bacterial surface antigens, nitrogen and sulfur metabolism, and bacterial secretion systems. Our study provides preliminary evidence that changes in enteric microbiota may contribute to the pathogenesis of alopecia in GFSs via three main mechanisms: dysregulation of immune modulation and sustained inflammation, altered metabolism, and reduced redox balance and detoxification in the gut. While future studies need to explore these possibilities, our findings offer insight into the role of the microbiome in emerging pathologies of wildlife.
Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) poses major conservation issues worldwide. In France, recurrent outbreaks of HPAI (H5) in wild birds have occurred since 2020, yet our understanding of the disease's dynamics have remained limited. By leveraging data from the national wildlife health surveillance network (SAGIR), we conducted a spatiotemporal analysis of the HPAI outbreaks in wild birds. Between 2016 and 2022, two different spatiotemporal patterns of the disease were observed in France: sporadic episodes of the virus in four episodes, forming either isolated cases or self-limited clusters at the maximum and epizootic circulation in 2022. During sporadic circulation episodes, observations were concentrated in well-defined spatiotemporal clusters with low prevalence. Those self-limited clusters, places where the density of positive events was substantially larger than in the rest of France, reflected three epidemiologic patterns: 1) recurrent clusters linked to migration and waterfowl habitats; 2) clusters involving synanthropic species in diverse areas and related to outbreaks in poultry farms; and 3) outbreaks in colonial bird species, observed once in 2020 and once in 2022, involving Red Knots (Calidris canutus) and Eurasian Griffon Vultures (Gyps fulvus), respectively. Beginning in summer 2022, the epizootic episode, characterized by a high prevalence along the northern French coasts, involved Northern Gannets (Morus bassanus) and Laridae. During this epizootic, cluster boundaries were far less well-defined. The ecology of the affected bird species and the characteristics of the circulating viral strains (often adapted to these species) may explain this new spatiotemporal dynamic compared with previously observed sporadic circulation, driven mainly through migration. Our study provides a better understanding of the dynamics of HPAI outbreaks in wild birds; nevertheless, knowledge gaps remain, and improved surveillance of HPAI in wild birds is still needed.
Turtle acanthocephalans are a depauperate group of helminths, yet they parasitize a quarter of all turtle species in North America. Despite acanthocephalans being common in turtles, their potential as disease-causing agents remains unknown. In other vertebrate hosts, acanthocephalans are known to cause pathologic changes upon attachment (via with their armed proboscis) to the intestinal wall of the host. Herein, we report new turtle host associations, ultrastructural characterization, and molecular data for turtle acanthocephalans. However, the primary goal of this study was to evaluate whether there is pathology associated with acanthocephalans in turtle hosts. In total, 63 turtles comprising six sampled species were examined for acanthocephalans via surveillance of wild turtles in Oklahoma, USA, between 2010 and 2022. A mean intensity of 395 acanthocephalans per turtle was recovered from 30 (83%) of 36 red-eared sliders (Trachemys scripta elegans), morphologically and molecularly identified as Neoechinorhynchus chrysemydis (n=382), Neoechinorhynchus emydis (n=187), Neoechinorhynchus emyditoides (n=1,803), and Neoechinorhynchus pseudemydis (n=2,901). Only one (11%) of nine snapping turtle (Chelydra serpentina) was infected with acanthocephalans, morphologically and molecularly identified as juveniles of N. chrysemydis (n=1) and Neoechinorhynchus cylindratus (n=12), a fish acanthocephalan. Histopathologic examination revealed changes to the intestinal walls of infected red-eared sliders, including villous atrophy and excessive mucus production. Additionally, the presence of boluses of worms expelled within turtle feces was observed. Noninfected turtles showed no evidence of gross or histopathologic lesions in the intestines. Overall, these findings indicate that acanthocephalans can potentially elicit pathologic changes to turtle hosts, probably as a result of intestinal irritation due to acanthocephalan attachment.
Wild Turkeys (Meleagris gallopavo ssp.) are a popular game bird in North America. Populations in many states in the USA have been declining due to unknown causes. Concern about potential impacts of disease on Wild Turkeys has been increasing. Lymphoproliferative disease virus (LPDV) is an avian retrovirus initially identified in domestic turkeys in Europe and Israel that often presented as lymphoid tumors and was associated with high mortality rates. In 2009 LPDV was first reported in the USA, and it has been reported in numerous USA states and Canadian provinces, though little is known about its effects on Wild Turkey populations. Our objective was to identify prevalence and spatial patterns of LPDV infection in Wild Turkeys in Iowa, USA. We tested bone marrow from 912 Wild Turkeys that were hunter-harvested (n=907), road-killed (n=3), or submitted for necropsy (n=2) for LPDV. Samples were collected between 2019 and 2021, but comprised primarily adult males from the 2020 spring harvest. We found that LPDV was distributed across Iowa, with an estimated statewide prevalence of 42.9%. Cluster analysis using Kulldorff's spatial scan statistic identified two clusters of higher prevalence (hotspots) and two clusters of lower prevalence (coldspots) than expected. The Iowa landscape is dominated by agriculture (81%) with a smaller amount of forest (7%). The two hotspots were located within some of the more heavily forested portions of the state (16.6% and 7.9% forest), while the coldspots had smaller amounts of forest (3.8% and 0.8%). Our results provide the first information on the prevalence and distribution of LPDV in Iowa and could be used to identify areas to prioritize continued surveillance as well as conduct research on the effects of LPDV on Wild Turkey populations.
Previous studies have examined prevalence of leprosy-causing bacteria, Mycobacterium leprae and Mycobacterium lepromatosis, in rural Mexican long-nosed armadillo (Dasypus mexicanus) populations of the southeastern USA. However, few prevalence studies have been conducted in Alabama nor in urbanized, human-dominated areas where potential zoonotic transmission may be a public health concern. This study evaluated the prevalence of leprosy-causing bacteria in armadillos from rural, suburban, and urban zones in Lee and Mobile County, Alabama, USA. This study detected the first evidence of M. leprae-infection in a wild juvenile armadillo, from an individual sampled in a suburban zone of Mobile County, indicating potential vertical or environmental transmission. Additionally, 15/83 adult armadillos were infected in the Mobile County population, giving a total population prevalence of 16/93 (17%). Of the adults, more females were infected with M. leprae (11/36), especially lactating females, compared to males (4/47), despite more adult males being sampled overall. In Lee County, 64 adults were sampled and only one, a male, was M. leprae-positive, resulting in a total population prevalence of 1/94 (1%). The significantly lower occurrence than in Mobile County may be a result of environmental conditions, as the counties predominantly exist in two different ecoregions, the Piedmont and Southeastern Plains. Therefore, this study presents findings that may support an ecological-constraints hypothesis, previously applied to the northward expansion of M. leprae. Although no significant difference in prevalence was observed among the residential zones in this study, future research should investigate the prevalence of leprosy-causing bacteria in armadillos across different ecoregions and land use types to elucidate transmission dynamics and zoonotic risk, and inform public health strategies and wildlife management efforts in the southeastern USA.
Plague is a zoonotic disease of mammals caused by the bacterium Yersinia pestis. Because plague is primarily transmitted by fleas (Siphonaptera), rates of plague transmission are expected to increase with flea abundance. Edaphic factors can influence the abundance and dispersion of fleas, suggesting that soils may play important roles in plague ecology. From June to August 2010-12, in northern New Mexico, USA, we investigated the effects of soil texture, soil moisture, and soil water-holding capacity on the abundance of adult fleas parasitizing colonial, burrowing black-tailed prairie dogs (Cynomys ludovicianus, BTPDs). We sampled BTPDs 1,741 times on 20 sampling plots distributed among 13 BTPD colonies, detecting 9,541 adult fleas on BTPDs. Fleas were most abundant on BTPDs in areas with coarse surface soils, and in areas with moderately textured subsurface soils at the average depth of BTPD nest chambers. Coarse surface soils may facilitate water percolation to BTPD nests, where the moisture could generate humid microclimates that benefit desiccation-prone fleas. Moderately textured subsurface soils, of intermediate water-holding capacity, can store water, which may increase burrow humidity. Moreover, moderately textured subsurface soils in BTPD nests may increase survival of flea larvae and pupae, facilitating their development to adulthood. That said, excessive moisture and sodden soils can favor fungi and mites, some of which are lethal to fleas. In our study, fleas were most abundant in areas with subsurface soils of intermediate moisture content. Our findings complement an accumulating number of studies, indicating that edaphic factors play important roles in flea and plague ecology.
Lyme disease is a vector-borne zoonotic disease caused by spirochete bacteria of the genus Borrelia. It is primarily transmitted by ticks of the genus Ixodes. Vertebrate hosts, including rodents and insectivores such as shrews and moles, maintain the pathogens in ecosystems. Research on the prevalence and geographical distribution of Borrelia species and other micromammal-associated zoonotic pathogens in the Republic of Korea (ROK) is scarce. This study investigated the prevalence and distribution of Borrelia spp. in wild micromammals across the ROK to support Lyme disease control. In this study, we collected 200 spleen samples from micromammals in 14 regions nationwide, including Apodemus agrarius, Crocidura sp., Micromys minutus, and Apodemus peninsulae. Genomic DNA was extracted from the spleen tissues, and PCR and phylogenetic analyses targeting flagellin B (flaB), outer surface protein A (ospA), and 5S-23S rRNA intergenic spacer (5S-23S) were performed. Phylogenetic analysis based on flagellin B (flaB), outer surface protein A (ospA) and 5S-23S rRNA intergenic spacer (5S-23S) sequences revealed distinct clustering of Borrelia afzelii, Borrelia yangtzensis and a lineage designated as Borrelia sp. B. afzelii was predominantly detected in northern and central regions of the ROK, whereas B. yangtzensis was mainly present in the southern region of the ROK. This study provides updated insights into the prevalence and spatial distribution of Borrelia spp. in Korean micromammals. Our findings contribute to a better understanding of wildlife reservoirs and may inform future strategies to prevent and control micromammal-borne zoonoses.
BACKGROUND: The Asian elephant (Elephas maximus), a keystone species with both ecological and cultural significance, is highly endangered and has disappeared from 95% of its historical range. In this study, we present a chromosome-level assembly and an annotation of the Asian elephant genome, providing a foundational resource for population genomics, conservation biology and evolutionary research. RESULTS: The primary genome assembly spans 190 contigs, with an N50 of 87,987,108 bp and is scaffolded into 64 sequences, with an N50 of 127,432,672 bp. We also present two haplotype-resolved assemblies with contig N50s of 75,101,715 bp and 88,213,608 bp. The genome assemblies and annotated protein-coding models in the primary assembly are highly complete, with 98.2%, 98.2%, and 96.0% BUSCO single-copy orthologs identified in the primary and two haplotype genome assemblies, respectively, and 98.8% recovered in the protein-coding annotation. We showcase how this reference genome enables insights into functional and evolutionary genomics, including the transposable element landscape, demographic history, a comparison against an individual sequenced from another population, as well as an investigation into genomic regions with increased levels of heterozygosity that colocalise with multi-copy gene families associated with immune and sensory-responses. CONCLUSION: The development of a high-quality genome assembly and annotation for E. maximus gives researchers a valuable resource to help understand the evolutionary history of this iconic species as well as guide conservation efforts. Here we have shown that highly contiguous, complete and accurate chromosome sequences help uncover regions with increased levels of homozygosity, indicative of inbreeding, and areas of increased heterozygosity, enriched for genes key to the immune response and other sensory mechanisms.
Birds are host to four orders of parasitic insects: flies (Diptera), lice (Psocodea: Phthiraptera), true bugs (Hemiptera), and fleas (Siphonaptera). These parasites can lower host fitness and thus require birds to invest in defenses to minimize fitness losses. In Puerto Rico, virulent parasites, such as Philornis spp. flies, threaten endangered species and subspecies of birds. Philornis larvae are hematophagous and burrow beneath the skin of both nestling and adult birds. Unfortunately, little is known regarding the prevalence and intensity of subcutaneous Philornis flies of adult birds in Puerto Rico. Here, we inspected 430 birds, representing 38 species, for Philornis infestation. We found Philornis larvae on only four birds, despite previous studies reporting high Philornis prevalence on adults of a single Puerto Rican species, Pearly-eyed Thrashers (Margarops fuscatus). Our results are consistent with other studies suggesting that the prevalence and intensity of Philornis is low in most adult and fledgling birds, compared to nestlings. Our data suggest that Philornis infestation is not a major threat to adult birds in Puerto Rico. In contrast, we show that parasitic lice are relatively common on Puerto Rican birds. Of 309 birds dusted for ectoparasites, 163 (53%) were infested with lice. None of the 309 birds were infested with parasitic fleas or bugs. Our results confirm other recent work showing relatively high prevalence and intensity of lice on birds in humid regions of the world.
Effective wildlife disease management and research rely on trustworthy disease diagnostics. For chronic wasting disease (CWD), immunohistochemistry (IHC) is recognized as the gold standard, and ELISA is a reliable high-throughput screening method validated for use on obex and retropharyngeal lymph node (RPLN) tissues. However, diagnostic performance of the assays when used on tissues from elk (Cervus canadensis) varies, particularly under varying CWD population prevalence. We used hierarchical Bayesian modeling to predict sensitivity and specificity of ELISA on obex and RPLN and IHC on obex, RPLN, and rectoanal mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (RAMALT) from elk. We detected CWD prion in at least one tissue from 46/283 individuals tested postmortem between 2016 and 2020. Specificity of ELISA was nearly perfect, providing strong confidence in CWD-detected results. Predicted mean test sensitivity was greater for ELISA than for IHC and slightly greater for RPLN tissue than for obex. The most sensitive individual test was ELISA RPLN, whereas the most reliable CWD diagnosis was achieved by parallel testing of both the obex and RPLN by ELISA, with serial confirmation by IHC. Although RAMALT can be used for antemortem testing, its low sensitivity makes negative results unreliable for proving an animal is disease free. When positive and negative predictive values of these methods were evaluated, we found the reliability of diagnostic results varied widely within the observed range of disease prevalence, and poor reliability was exaggerated by low diagnostic performance. Test-negative results are more likely to be true early in disease invasion, whereas the risk of a false-negative result grows with increasing disease prevalence in the sampled population. Wildlife managers should consider both the objectives and the stage of disease invasion when interpreting diagnostic test results.
The impact of health and disease on wildlife population dynamics and individual survival is complex and poorly understood, especially in cryptic species such as chelonians. Eastern box turtles (Terrapene carolina carolina) are declining due to anthropogenic and natural factors, including disease, though the relative importance of these factors for individual survival is unknown. Determining survival rates in free-ranging chelonians is challenging because individuals are difficult to locate and recapture, deceased turtles can be quickly scavenged, and turtles can die underground during a brumation period. The purpose of this study was to estimate the apparent survival rate for wild eastern box turtles detected with common box turtle pathogens, including Terrapene herpesvirus 1, Terrapene adenovirus, and box turtle Mycoplasmopsis sp., using Cormack-Jolly-Seber models. We used mark-recapture data from 778 individuals from five box turtle populations collected over 7 yr (2016-22), paired with concurrently collected demographic and quantitative PCR pathogen detection data. Apparent survival estimates were different among the five sites, ranging from 71% to 88%, but similar between sexes. We found that pathogens modeled as a function of survival had a positive effect; turtles detected with a pathogen were two to six times more likely to survive than those without detected pathogens. However, this may be an artifact of high, unbiased pathogen prevalence paired with a relatively low probability of pathogen detection via intermittent testing. This analysis provides important estimates of apparent survival for the declining eastern box turtle and valuable information on the interaction between pathogen detection and estimates of individual survival, which can be used to better understand the drivers of population persistence in this species.
During a 1-mo period in early 2023, four adult free-ranging mountain lions (Puma concolor) and two adult free-ranging bobcats (Lynx rufus) died or were euthanized during an outbreak of H5N1 highly pathogenic avian influenza virus (HPAIV) in Colorado, USA. All six animals tested positive for HPAIV clade 2.3.4.4b, and necropsy findings resembled those described by others for domestic cats and wild felids infected with HPAIV clade 2.3.4.4b in North America. The most consistent findings in the Colorado wild felids were necrotizing and lymphoplasmacytic meningoencephalitis (6/6) and interstitial to bronchointerstitial pneumonia (3/6). Necrotizing lesions were also identified in other tissues, including liver (3/6) and adrenal gland (2/4). Immunohistochemistry demonstrated localization of influenza A-specific antibody to necrotizing lesions. Sequencing of the HPAIV PB2 gene did not reveal mutations to suggest mammalian adaptation, and resolution of the outbreak in wild felids coincided with a decline in cases in wild birds. The presumed mechanism of transmission to wild felids was exposure at the time of ingestion of infected avian carcasses. Immunohistochemistry of tongue, pinna, and skeletal muscle did not indicate utility of these samples for noninvasive sampling of hunter-harvested carcasses for HPAI surveillance. We recommend testing brain tissue for HPAIV surveillance in wild felids.
The collared peccary (Pecari tajacu) is a member of the Tayassuidae family widely distributed throughout the Americas, particularly in Brazil. These animals have important ecologic functions and, despite their good conservation status, are frequently affected by anthropogenic pressures. Candida spp. are commensal yeasts present in the microbiota of various hosts; however, under conditions that disrupt microbial balance, they can become opportunistic pathogens. Some Candida spp. are also of great relevance to the One Health framework, because they cause significant impacts on the health of humans and animals. The investigation of potentially zoonotic fungi in wild animals is fundamental for understanding the ecoepidemiologic dynamics, so this study aimed to detect Candida spp. in captive collared peccaries bred in naturalistic enclosures in the Brazilian Amazon. Swabs from the oral cavity were collected and processed according to classical microbiology techniques. Thirty animals were evaluated, and 93% (28/30) had at least one Candida species detected. A total of 42 Candida spp. isolates were recovered, with five identified species: Candida albicans, Candida krusei, Candida parapsilosis, Candida glabrata, and Candida tropicalis. One Candida isolate remained unidentified. These findings highlight the role of collared peccaries as potential reservoirs of opportunistically pathogenic yeasts and emphasize the importance of active surveillance of microbial diversity in wild animals.
The California Condor (Gymnogyps californianus) is the largest North American land bird and an endangered species. In September 2024, the Bitter Creek National Wildlife Refuge reported a heavy soft tick infestation on three juvenile condors that were to be released to the wild. One was transported to Los Angeles Zoo for treatment because it showed clinical signs associated with tick paralysis, a neurotoxin-mediated paralytic syndrome. The others had slight weight loss and extensive scabbing in the areas that had previous tick burdens. Eight ticks found on perches in the flight pen were identified as Argas (Persicargas) ricei. Pathogen testing of those ticks found four positives for Rickettsia hoogstraalii, a species previously detected in raptors and their soft ticks in the southwestern USA. One tick was positive for Rickettsia lusitaniae, associated with soft ticks in bats worldwide and closely related to Rickettsia felis and R. hoogstraalii. No ticks were positive for Borrelia spp. Blood meal analysis confirmed that the California Condor was the associated host for a subset of tested ticks. All condors improved clinically with ectoparasite treatment and supportive care. These findings suggest a clear interaction between A. ricei ticks and condors. Managers should consider the checking and removal of ticks from temporary bird housing and prophylactic or event-based treatments of translocated birds; further, Rickettsia species could be considered in future wildlife health investigations.
Ophidiomycosis, caused by Ophidiomyces ophidiicola, is a disease associated with variably high morbidity and mortality in both snakes under human care and free-living snakes. Within Illinois, USA, ophidiomycosis surveillance has primarily focused on snake populations in southern Illinois, adjacent to agricultural land. The purpose of this study was to determine the occurrence of O. ophidiicola DNA across multiple snake species and locations in an urban county of northeastern Illinois, containing historically diverse and abundant snake populations. During the summer of 2023, 51 snakes, representing five species, were collected, examined, and evaluated via skin swab for the presence of O. ophidiicola using quantitative PCR. Detection of O. ophidiicola was similar between seven distinct sites and five species: 31% (9/29) in common water snakes (Nerodia sipedon), 29% (2/7) in eastern fox snakes (Pantherophis vulpinus), 17% (1/6) in DeKay's brownsnakes (Storeria dekayi), 40% (2/5) in common garter snakes (Thamnophis sirtalis), and 50% (2/4) in eastern milk snakes (Lampropeltis triangulum). Gross lesions consistent with O. ophidiicola infection, including crusts, discoloration, swelling, and ulceration, were noted in 65% (33/51) of the snakes sampled in the study and 75% (12/16) of the O. ophidiicola-positive snakes. Results indicate that O. ophidiicola in snakes in northeastern Illinois exists at a similar or higher positivity rate than has been documented in other studies across North America. Future studies may enable improved characterization of ophidiomycosis dynamics.
Wild boar (Sus scrofa) populations have increased worldwide, causing sanitary and environmental concerns. These ungulates can harbor a wide range of pathogens that should be carefully monitored due to the zoonotic potential and risk of transmission to domestic pigs. This study aimed to assess the prevalence and distribution of helminth infections among wild boars in southern Italy and to explore associated risk factors for infections. A total of 369 wild boars were culled during one hunting season in four hunting districts in the Campania region, and individual fecal egg counts were performed by Mini-FLOTAC technique. Gastrointestinal strongyles (GIS) were the most common parasites detected (65.9%), followed by Metastrongylus spp. (48.8%), Ascaris suum (9.2%), Strongyloides ransomi and Trichuris suis (4.6% each), Capillaria (syn. Eucoleus) spp. (4.3%), Dicrocoelium dendriticum (1.6%), and Physocephalus sexalatus and Ascarops strongylina (0.5% each). Statistically significant differences (P<0.05) were found for GIS, Metastrongylus spp., and A. suum infections by boar hunting district, and for GIS and Metastrongylus spp. by age class. These results confirm wild boar competence to host diverse helminth species and their potential role as a reservoir for domestic pigs, primarily when bred in extensive production systems. The parasitologic monitoring of wild boars is a key step toward a deeper understanding of the relationship between wild and domestic pigs, safeguarding the health of farm animals.
Chronic wasting disease (CWD) is a fatal prion disease in cervids. Because prions persist in the environment, early detection is essential for containment. Trained detection dogs have shown promise as a noninvasive surveillance method through identification of volatile organic compounds associated with CWD in white-tailed deer (WTD; Odocoileus virginianus) fecal matter. To reduce the risk of environmental contamination, recent CWD detection work has used cotton training aids incubated (i.e., passively odor exposed without direct contact) with small quantities of WTD fecal matter. However, operational detection scenarios often involve exposure to much larger volumes of fecal matter, requiring detection dogs to generalize from their training aid odor to the real-world target odor. This study examined whether detection dogs trained on cotton aids incubated for 24 h with 1-2 g of fecal matter (small quantity) could generalize to aids incubated for 24 h with 22 g of fecal matter (large quantity). Four detection dogs completed two tests: the first test measured their initial responses to the large-quantity aids and the second test was conducted after three training sessions in which they were positively reinforced for alerting to the large-quantity aids. Dogs did not significantly differentiate between CWD-positive and CWD-negative samples in the first large-quantity test, but showed significant improvement after training; as such, generalization did not occur spontaneously from training only on small-quantity aids, but a brief training exposure to the larger-quantity aids enabled better performance. This study emphasizes the importance of considering odor variability between training scenarios and the operational scenario. Results provide information relevant to improving operational field performance. Future work should explore training paradigms that increase flexibility in odor recognition across different contexts.