Browsing by Subject "Wildlife"

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    Canine distemper virus may affect European wild cat populations in Central Spain
    (Elsevier GmbH, 2019-05-06) Candela, Mónica G.; Pardavila, Xosé; Lamosa, Adrián; Mangas, Julián G.; Martinez-Carrasco, Carlos; Ortega Hernández, Nieves; Sanidad Animal; Sorex Ecoloxía e Medio Ambiente S. L, Spain; Ecology Area, Department of Biology and Geology, Physics and Inorganic Chemistry, University Rey Juan Carlos, Madrid, Spain
    The main objective of this brief communication is to inform about the exposure to certain pathogens of interest for mesocarnivores in wildcats (Felis silvestris silvestris) that inhabit a human-domestic-wild ecotone located in a Natural Park (Serranía de Cuenca, Central Spain). Blood and mucosal swabs (nasal, conjunctival and rectal) samples were collected from nine alive animals to detect canine distemper virus (CDV), parvovirus (CPV/FPV), feline leukaemia virus (FeLV), feline coronavirus (FCoV), feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV), Leptospira interrogans, Chlamydia felis, Ehrlichia canis, Toxoplasma gondii, and Neospora caninum. ELISA, immunochromatograpy, microscopy agglutination test and PCR assays were used. The results show the first worldwide detection of exposure of wildcats to L. interrogans (3 positive/9 analysed) and the first detection of exposure to CVD (7/9), of carriers of C. felis (2/9) and of fecal spreading of CPV-FPV (2/9) in wildcats in Spain. Exposure to T. gondii and CPV-FPV was detected in 5 of the 9 wildcats analysed, and to FelV in 4 of 9. No FIV, FCoV, Ehrlichia canis and Neospora caninum were detected. The results reveal the circulation of pathogens among the wildcat population studied, but more vigilance is needed for an accurate assessment of the impact of these pathogens on the health status of this population.
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    Emergence of epizootic hemorrhagic disease in red deer (Cervus elaphus), Spain, 2022
    (Elsevier, 2024-03-31) Ruiz Fons, José Francisco; García Bocanegra, Ignacio; Valero, Marta; Cuadrado Matías, Raúl; Relimpio, David; Martínez, Remigio; Baz Flores, Sara; Gonzálvez Juan, Moisés; Cano Terriza, David; Ortiz, José Antonio; Gortázar, Christian; Risalde, Maria A.; Sanidad Animal; Facultades de la UMU::Facultad de Veterinaria
    Epizootic hemorrhagic disease (EHD) virus serotype 8 (EHDV-8) emerged in Spain in autumn 2022. In this study, we aimed to (1) characterize the clinical and lesional presentation of EHDV infection in European red deer (Cervus elaphus), and (2) study the spatial spread of the virus in wild ruminants in Spain after its introduction, in 2022/2023. We confirmed EHDV infection in two clinically compatible sick red deer by PCR and detection of anti-EHDV specific antibodies. EHDV infection occurred in red deer with hyperacute to acute clinical signs and lesions associated to vascular changes leading to death of the animals. Partial sequences of variable segment 2 (VP2) and segment 5 (NS1) genes of the detected viruses had >99% nucleotide identity with EHDV-8 sequences from Tunisia and Italy. In a cross-sectional serological study of EHDV in 592 wild ruminants, mainly red deer (n=578), in southwestern Spain, we detected anti-EHDV antibodies in 37 of 592 samples (6.3%; 95% confidence interval: 4.3–8.2), all from red deer and from the localities where clinical cases of EHD were confirmed in red deer. We conclude that EHDV-8 infection causes severe EHD in European red deer. The serosurvey revealed a limited spread of EHDV-8 in Spanish wild ruminant populations in the first year of virus detection in Spain.
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    Epidemiological and genetic studies suggest a common Leishmania infantum transmission cycle in wildlife, dogs and humans associated to vector abundance in southeast Spain
    (SAGE Publications, 2018-05-22) Risueño, J.; Ortuño, M.; Pérez Cutillas, Pedro; Maia, C.; Cortes, S.; Campino, L.; Bernal, L. J.; Muñoz, C.; Martínez-Rondán, F.J.; Collantes, F.; Ortiz Sánchez, Juana; Martínez-Carrasco, C.; Berriatua, E.; Goyena Salgado, Elena; Gonzálvez Juan, Moisés; Arcenillas Hernández, Irene; Sanidad Animal
    Leishmania infantum infection was investigated in 202 wild carnivores, rodents and lagomorphs in Southeast Spain using a real-time PCR (rtPCR) in skin and organ samples, mostly spleen. Lesions compatible with leishmaniosis were not observed in any of the animals. Prevalence defined as the percentage of rtPCR-positive animals was 32% overall, and 45% in foxes (n = 69), 30% in rabbits (n = 80) and stone martens (n = 10), 19% in wood mice (n = 16), 0% in black rats (n = 10) and ranged between 0% and 100% in other minoritarian species including badgers, wild cats, wolves, raccoons, genets and hares. Most infected rabbits were rtPCR-positive in skin and not in spleen samples and the opposite was the case for foxes (p < 0.05). L. infantum prevalence was lowest in spring following months of non-exposure to phlebotomine sand fly vectors, and spatially matched recently estimated Phlebotomus perniciosus vector abundance and the prevalence of subclinical infection in dogs and humans. Prevalence increased with altitude and was greater in drier and less windy South and West compared to the coastal Southeast of the study area (p < 0.05). Genetic diversity of L. infantum from foxes, investigated by PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphisms of kinetoplast DNA, revealed B genotype in all animals, which is frequent in people and dogs in the Iberian Peninsula and Morocco. The study provides further evidence that subclinical L. infantum infection is widespread in wildlife with prevalence depending on environmental factors and that parasite tissue tropism may vary according to host species. Moreover, it suggests that sylvatic and domestic transmission cycles are closely interconnected.
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    Epidemiological surveillance of Neospora caninum in sheep (Ovis aries) and European mouflon (Ovis aries musimon) in southern Spain
    (Elsevier, 2024-11-02) Jiménez-Martín, Débora; Huertas-López, Ana; Cerón Madrigal, José Joaquín; Martínez-Carrasco Pleite, Carlos; Martínez Subiela, Silvia; Prieto, Paloma; Almería, Sonia; Cano-Terriza, David; García-Bocanegra, Ignacio; Sanidad Animal; Facultad de Veterinaria
    Neospora caninum is a protozoan with a facultative heteroxenous life cycle, with canids as the definitive hosts and other mammals, mainly ruminants, acting as intermediate hosts. This parasite is recognized as one of the major abortifacient pathogens in cattle. Although reproductive disorders have also been reported in other domestic and wild ruminants, epidemiological data on N. caninum in ruminant species other than cattle is still limited. Here, we evaluate the seroprevalence and risk factors associated with N. caninum exposure in sheep (Ovis aries) and European mouflon (Ovis aries musimon) in southern Spain. Serum samples from 390 sheep and 387 free-ranging mouflons were tested for antibodies against N. caninum using in-house time-resolved fluorescence immunoassay based on NcGRA7 as a recombinant antigen. The individual seroprevalence was 26.2 % (95 %CI: 22.0–30.7) in sheep and 5.7 % (95 %CI: 3.8–8.5) in mouflons. At least one seropositive animal was detected in all the 26 sheep farms (100 %) and in eight of the 18 (44.4 %) hunting estates sampled. The presence of dogs on the farm (≥3) and the sheep breed (purebred) were potential risk factors associated with exposure to N. caninum in sheep. Our results indicate a high circulation of N. caninum in sheep farms in southern Spain. Control measures should be implemented to limit the exposure to this protozoan in sheep flocks. Although we have confirmed for the first time the presence of anti- N. caninum antibodies in European mouflon in Spain, and, despite the relatively low seroprevalence found, the impact of this parasite on mouflon populations should be further studied.
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    Evidence for widespread Leishmania infantum infection among wild carnivores in L. infantum periendemic northern Spain
    (Elsevier, 2013-12-17) Del Rio, L.; Chitimia, L.; Cubas, A.; Victoriano, I.; De la Rúa, P.; Gerrikagoitia, X.; Barral, M.; Munoz-García, C.I.; García-Martínez, D.; Fisa, R.; Riera, C.; Murcia, L.; Segovia Hernández, Manuel; Berriatua Fernández de Larrea, Eduardo; Goyena Salgado, Elena; Anatomía y Anatomía Patológica Comparadas
    Leishmania spp. infection was investigated in tissue samples of wild carnivores from the Spanish Basque Country (BC), by PCR and DNA sequencing. The region is at the northern periphery of Leishmania infantum endemic Iberian Peninsula and infection in the dog (reservoir) or other species has not been previously reported. Leishmania kinetoplast DNA was detected by real-time PCR (rtPCR) in 28% (44/156) of animals. Specifically, in 26% of Eurasian badgers (n = 53), 29% of foxes (n = 48), 29% of stone martens (n = 21) and in 25–50% of less numerous species including genets, wild cats, pole cats, European mink and weasels. Infected animals particularly badgers, were most prevalent in the southernmost province of the BC (Araba)in areas dominated by arable land. Subsequent amplification and sequencing of a fragment of the rRNA internal transcribed spacer 2 (ITS2) from a subset of rtPCR positives samples confirmed the species as L. infantum, showing a high sequence homogeneity with ITS2 sequences of L. infantum from dogs and humans from southern Spain. In summary, this study reports for the first time L. infantum infection in wild carnivores from the BC including in stone martens, pole cats and minks in which infection has not been previously described. It supports the need to study infection in dogs and people in this region and is an example of the value of infection surveillance in wildlife to assess potential risks in the domestic environment and their role in spreading infections in non-endemic areas.
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    Lead and cadmium in wild boar (Sus scrofa) in the Sierra Nevada Natural Space (southern Spain)
    (Springer, 2016-05-14) Mulero, Rocío; Cano-Manuel, Javier; Ráez-Bravo, Arián; Pérez, Jesús M.; Espinosa, José; Soriguer, Ramón; Fandos, Paulino; Granados, José E.; Romero, Diego; Ciencias Sociosanitarias
    The aims of the present study were to investigate Pb and Cd levels in tissues of wild boar (Sus scrofa) from the Sierra Nevada Natural Space (SNNS) (southern Spain). Heavy metal concentrations in livers, kidneys and bones from 111 animals were determined by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES). Bones and kidneys were the most Pb- and Cd-contaminated tissues, respectively; Cd concentrations were 5.6 times higher in kidneys than in livers. This is the first biomonitoring study of these pollutants in wild boar tissues in the SNNS, and findings indicate that this population is chronically exposed to these heavy metals. The detected Pb and Cd concentrations were lower than those found in many studies performed in Europe on the same species.
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    Occurrence and limited zoonotic potential of Cryptosporidium spp., Giardia duodenalis, and Balantioides coli infections in free-ranging and farmed wild ungulates in Spain
    (Elsevier, 2023-04-27) Dashti, Alejandro; Köster, Pamela C.; Bailo, Begoña; Sánchez de las Matas, Ana; Habela, Miguel Ángel; Rivero-Juarez, Antonio; Vicente Ibáñez, Joaquín; Serrano, Emmanuel; Arnal, María C.; Fernández de Luco, Daniel; Morrondo, Patrocinio; Armenteros, José A.; Balseiro, Ana; Cardona, Guillermo A.; Martínez-Carrasco Pleite, Carlos; Ortiz, José Antonio; Carpio, Antonio José; Calero Bernal, Rafael; González-Barrio, David; Carmena, David; Sanidad Animal; Facultad de Veterinaria
    Little information is currently available on the occurrence and molecular diversity of the enteric protozoan parasites Cryptosporidium spp., Giardia duodenalis, and Balantioides coli in wild ungulates and the role of these host species as potential sources of environmental contamination and consequent human infections. The presence of these three pathogens was investigated in eight wild ungulate species present in Spain (genera Ammotragus, Capra, Capreolus, Cervus, Dama, Ovis, Rupicapra, and Sus) by molecular methods. Faecal samples were retrospectively collected from free-ranging (n = 1058) and farmed (n = 324) wild ungulates from the five Spanish bioregions. Overall infection rates were 3.0% (42/1382; 95% CI: 2.1–3.9%) for Cryptosporidium spp., 5.4% (74/1382; 95% CI: 4.2–6.5%) for G. duodenalis, and 0.7% (9/1382; 95% CI: 0.3–1.2%) for B. coli. Cryptosporidium infection was detected in roe deer (7.5%), wild boar (7.0%) and red deer (1.5%), and G. duodenalis in southern chamois (12.9%), mouflon (10.0%), Iberian wild goat (9.0%), roe deer (7.5%), wild boar (5.6%), fallow deer (5.2%) and red deer (3.8%). Balantioides coli was only detected in wild boar (2.5%, 9/359). Sequence analyses revealed the presence of six distinct Cryptosporidium species: C. ryanae in red deer, roe deer, and wild boar; C. parvum in red deer and wild boar; C. ubiquitum in roe deer; C. scrofarum in wild boar; C. canis in roe deer; and C. suis in red deer. Zoonotic assemblages A and B were detected in wild boar and red deer, respectively. Ungulateadapted assemblage E was identified in mouflon, red deer, and southern chamois. Attempts to genotype samples positive for B. coli failed. Sporadic infections by canine- or swine-adapted species may be indicative of potential cross-species transmission, although spurious infections cannot be ruled out. Molecular evidence gathered is consistent with parasite mild infections and limited environmental contamination with (oo)cysts. Free-ranging wild ungulate species would not presumably play a significant role as source of human infections by these pathogens. Wild ruminants do not seem to be susceptible hosts for B. coli.
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    R programming environment in wildlife: are Veterinary Sciences at the same level than other research areas?
    (Elsevier, 2023-11-08) Muñoz Hernández, Clara; Gonzálvez Juan, Moisés; Sanidad Animal
    The computing environment has revolutionized the management and analysis of data in sciences during the last decades. This study aimed to evaluate the use of R software in research articles addressing the study of wildlife worldwide, particularly focusing on the research area “Veterinary Sciences”. For this purpose, a systematic review mainly performed in the Web of Science database was conducted. Out of a total of 509 articles reviewed, our results show an increasing trend of the number of publications using the R software over time, as well as a wide geographical distribution at a global scale, particularly in North America, Europe, Australia and China. Most publications were categorized in research areas related to “Biological Sciences”, while a minority of them was included in “Veterinary Sciences” (5.9%; 30/509). About the species groups assessed, many articles evaluated a single species group (96.5%), being mammals (50.7%) and birds (14.8%) the most studied ones. The present study showed a high variety of R-packages used in the publications reviewed, all of them related to data analysis, the study of genetic/phylogenetic information and graphical representation. Interestingly, the common use of packages between different research areas is indicative of the high interest of using R software in scientific articles. Our study points the R software as an open-source programming language that allows to support research addressing the study of wildlife, becoming a key software for many research areas, including “Veterinary Sciences”. However, an in-depth methodological description about the use of R software in publications to improve the tracking, reproducibility and transparency is encouraged.
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    Sarcoptic mange in wild ruminants in Spain: solving the epidemiological enigma using microsatellite markers
    (BMC Springer Nature, 2021-03-20) Moroni, B.; Angelone, S.; Perez, J.M.; Molinar Min, A. R.; Pasquetti, M.; Tizzani, P.; Lopez-Olvera, J. R.; Valldeperes, M.; Granados, J. E.; Lavin, S.; Mentaberre, G.; Camacho-Sillero, L.; Martinez-Carrasco, C.; Oleaga, A.; Candela, M. G.; Meneguz, P. G.; Rossi, L.; Sanidad Animal; Department of Veterinary Science, University of Turin, Largo Braccini 2, 10095 Grugliasco, Italy; Department of Evolutionary Biology and Environmental Studies, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland; Department of Animal and Plant Biology, and Ecology, University of Jaén, Campus Las Lagunillas, Jaén, Spain.; Wildlife Ecology & Health Group (WE&H), and Departament de Medicina I Cirurgia Animals, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Cerdanyola del Vallès, Spain.; Wildlife Ecology & Health Group (WE&H), and Parque Nacional Y Parque Natural Sierra Nevada, Granada, Spain; Wildlife Ecology & Health Group (WE&H), and Departament de Ciència Animal, Escola Tècnica Superior D’Enginyeria Agraria, Universitat de Lleida, Lleida, Spain; Programa Vigilancia Epidemiológica Fauna Silvestre, Consejería Agricultura, Ganadería, Pesca y Desarrollo Sostenible, Junta de Andalucía, Málaga, Spain.; S.E.R.P.A., Sociedad de Servicios del Principado de Asturias S.A., Gijón, Spain
    Background: In Spain, sarcoptic mange was first described in native wildlife in 1987 in Cazorla Natural Park, causing the death of nearly 95% of the local native population of Iberian ibex (Capra pyrenaica). Since then, additional outbreaks have been identified in several populations of ibex and other wild ungulate species throughout the country. Although the first epizootic outbreak in wildlife was attributed to the introduction of an infected herd of domestic goats, the origin and the cause of its persistence remain unclear. The main aims of this study are to understand (i) the number of Sarcoptes scabiei “strains” circulating in wild ruminant populations in Spain, and (ii) the molecular epidemiological relationships between S. scabiei and its hosts. Methods: Ten Sarcoptes microsatellite markers were used to characterize the genetic structure of 266 mites obtained from skin scrapings of 121 mangy wild ruminants between 2011 and 2019 from 11 areas in Spain. Results: Seventy-three different alleles and 37 private alleles were detected. The results of this study show the existence of three genetic strains of S. scabiei in the wild ruminant populations investigated. While two genetic clusters of S. scabiei were host- and geography-related, one cluster included multi-host mites deriving from geographically distant populations. Conclusions: The molecular epidemiological study of S. scabiei in wild ruminants in Spain indicates that the spreading and persistence of the parasite may be conditioned by host species community composition and the permissiveness of each host population/community to the circulation of individual “strains,” among other factors. Wildlife–livestock interactions and the role of human-driven introduction or trade of wild and domestic animals should be better investigated to prevent further spread of sarcoptic mange in as yet unaffected natural areas of the Iberian Peninsula.
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    Serological and molecular survey of canine distemper virus in red foxes (Vulpes vulpes): exploring cut-off values and the use of protein A in ELISA tests
    (Elsevier, 2023-11-10) Muñoz Hernández, Clara; Wipf, A.; Ortega Hernández, Nieves; Barberá, Gonzalo G.; Salinas Lorente, Jesús; Gonzálvez Juan, Moisés; Martínez-Carrasco Pleite, Carlos; González Candela, Mónica; Sanidad Animal; Facultad de Veterinaria
    The wide distribution and ecological plasticity of the red fox (Vulpes vulpes) make it a potential reservoir for many infectious diseases shared with domestic and wild carnivores. One of such diseases is canine distemper, which is caused by an RNA virus and its main domestic reservoir is the dog. However, other carnivores can also participate in its maintenance, as shown by the recent upsurge of reported cases in wildlife in many parts of the world, and by the fact that red foxes may act as true reservoirs for canine distemper virus (CDV). The lack of validated serological tests for wildlife or other non-target species may be a handicap for monitoring this virus. In this study, serological assays were compared in 147 red fox sera using a commercial ELISA validated for its use in dogs and a non-specific modified ELISA with Protein A peroxidase conjugate to detect bound antibodies. In addition, the presence of CDV RNA in brain, spleen, lung, and liver samples from 144 foxes was investigated by a RT-qPCR. Through the comparison of the results of both ELISAs and the use of a finite mixture model of the optical density values obtained by both techniques, we adjusted the cut-off point of the commercial ELISA to obtain the seroprevalence in foxes. The overall seroprevalence detected was 53.7% (79/147) and 57.1% (84/147) by the commercial and modified ELISA, respectively, with a moderate agreement according to Cohen’s Kappa statistic (κ = 0.491, z = 5.97, p < 0.0001). CDV RNA was detected in 30 out of 144 foxes, which resulted in 20.8% of CDV-infected foxes. At individual level, the results obtained by relating the serological status and the presence/absence of RNA in different organs were explained in terms of the pathogenesis of the infection. Our results highlight the convenience of adjusting the cut-off point when using an ELISA assay developed in domestic dogs for its use in foxes. Moreover, Protein A is confirmed to be a good alternative to be used in red foxes, presenting a good reactivity towards its IgG.
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    Tuberculosis de la fauna silvestre en ganaderías de bovino de lidia (Bos Taurus)
    (Murcia: Servicio de publicaciones de la Universidad de Murcia, 2011) Miralles, Alberto; Mas, A.; Rosa, A.; Seva Alcaraz, Juan; Anatomía y Anatomía Patológica Comparada
    La tuberculosis es una enfermedad infecciosa causada por microorganismos del Complejo Mycobacterium tuberculosis (CMTB), principalmente compuesto por Mycobacterium bovis y Mycobacterium caprae. En el presente estudio se determinará la presencia de tuberculosis en dos especies de fauna silvestre: el jabalí y el ciervo, los cuales viven en contacto con ganado bovino de lidia. Para ello se estudiaron un total de 32 jabalíes y 8 ciervos, abatidos en dos monterías celebradas en fincas de ganado bovino de lidia. En la inspección postmortem de dichos animales se tomaron muestras de nódulos linfáticos y pulmón, las cuales se procesaron en fonnol tamponado al 10% y fueron incluidas en parafina. Se realizaron secciones dobles de 4 pm de grosor que fueron teñidas con Hematoxilina-Eosina (H-E) y Ziehl-Neelsen (ZN), junto con un análisis bacteriológico de cada una de las muestras. De los 32 jabalíes analizados, se observaron lesiones macroscópicas compatibles con tuberculosis en 16. De éstos, 13 animales presentaron lesiones microscópicas típicas que correspondían a granulomas con un amplio centro de necrosis y calcificación, todo ello rodeado de macrófagos y células gigantes multinucleadas. Externamente aparecían linfocitos y tejido conectivo. De estos 13 jabalíes, 6 fueron positivos aZ-N, de los cuales 5 presentaron crecimiento de bacterias del CMTB en el análisis bacteriológico. Sólo en un 38'46% de casos se identificaron bacterias del CMTB sobre el total de animales con lesiones compatibles observadas con el microscopio óptico. En el caso de los 8 ciervos chequeados, 4 de ellos presentaron lesiones macroscópicas compatibles con tuberculosis y fueron positivos en el resto de las pruebas realizadas. Siendo la prevalencia en este estudio del 50%. Cabe resaltar la importancia de la fauna silvestre especialmente jabalí y rumiantes silvestres en la epidemiología de la tuberculosis en las ganaderías de bovino de lidia.