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9 pages, 807 KiB

Open AccessCommunication

Lack of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza H5N1 in the South Shetland Islands in Antarctica, Early 2023

by Gabriela Muñoz, Vanessa Mendieta, Mauricio Ulloa, Belén Agüero, Cristian G. Torres, Lucas Kruger and Victor Neira

Animals 2024, 14(7), 1008; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani14071008 - 26 Mar 2024

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Abstract

In January 2023, an active surveillance initiative was undertaken in the South Shetland Islands, Antarctica, with the specific objective of ascertaining evidence for the presence of avian influenza, and specifically the highly pathogenic avian influenza virus subtype H5N1 (HPAIV H5N1). The investigation encompassed [...] Read more.

In January 2023, an active surveillance initiative was undertaken in the South Shetland Islands, Antarctica, with the specific objective of ascertaining evidence for the presence of avian influenza, and specifically the highly pathogenic avian influenza virus subtype H5N1 (HPAIV H5N1). The investigation encompassed diverse locations, including Hanna Point (Livingston Island), Lions Rump (King George Island), and Base Escudero (King George Island), with targeted observations on marine mammals (southern elephant seals), flying birds (the kelp gull, snowy sheathbill and brown skua), and penguins (the chinstrap penguin and gentoo penguin). The study encompassed the examination of these sites for signs of mass mortality events possibly attributable to HPAIV H5N1, as well as sampling for influenza detection by means of real-time RT-PCR. Two hundred and seven (207) samples were collected, including 73 fecal samples obtained from the environment from marine mammals (predominantly feces of southern elephant seals), and 77 cloacal samples from penguins of the genus Pygoscelis (predominantly from the gentoo penguin). No evidence of mass mortality attributable to HPAIV H5N1 was observed, and all the collected samples tested negative for the presence of the virus, strongly suggesting the absence of the virus in the Antarctic territory during the specified period. This empirical evidence holds significant implications for both the ecological integrity of the region and the potential zoonotic threats, underscoring the importance of continued surveillance and monitoring in the Antarctic ecosystem. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Wildlife Diseases: Pathology and Diagnostic Investigation)

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11 pages, 1653 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Tumor and Tumor-like Lesions in Red Foxes (Vulpes vulpes) from Croatia

by Šimun Naletilić, Ivan-Conrado Šoštarić-Zuckermann and Željko Mihaljević

Animals 2024, 14(4), 558; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani14040558 - 07 Feb 2024

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Abstract

The red fox, found on all continents except Antarctica, occupies diverse habitats. In Croatia, it is an indigenous wild species with a population density of 0.7 animals per square kilometer. While tumors in wild animals from the Canidae family are scarce, the true [...] Read more.

The red fox, found on all continents except Antarctica, occupies diverse habitats. In Croatia, it is an indigenous wild species with a population density of 0.7 animals per square kilometer. While tumors in wild animals from the Canidae family are scarce, the true prevalence and diversity of tumors are likely underestimated due to limited research. So far, a limited number of tumors have been observed among the red fox population, either in their natural habitat or in captivity. As part of the National Rabies Control Program, we examined 1890 red fox carcasses over a four-year period. Our focus was on identifying abnormalities on the skin and internal organs that suggest potential neoplastic proliferation. Five red foxes, three males and two females, were found to have growths resembling potential tumors. Their age distribution spanned from 2 to 7 years. Microscopic investigation revealed two collagenous hamartomas, two Meibomian gland adenomas, and one intra-abdominal teratoma within a cryptorchid testis. This retrospective study aims to provide a comprehensive description of tumor and tumor-like lesions observed in free-range red foxes from Croatia, marking the first research of its kind in Croatia. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Wildlife Diseases: Pathology and Diagnostic Investigation)

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10 pages, 3309 KiB

Open AccessCommunication

A Health Status Update of Myocastor coypus in Northern Italy

by Arturo Nicoletti, Paola Pregel, Laura Starvaggi Cucuzza, Enrico Bollo and Frine Eleonora Scaglione

Animals 2024, 14(2), 245; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani14020245 - 12 Jan 2024

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Abstract

Myocastor coypus is a pest animal present in Africa, Europe, North America and Asia that causes agricultural and ecological damages. Moreover, it has to be considered as a potential risk for public health. Forty-four coypus from the “Parco Naturale La Mandria” (Piedmont region, [...] Read more.

Myocastor coypus is a pest animal present in Africa, Europe, North America and Asia that causes agricultural and ecological damages. Moreover, it has to be considered as a potential risk for public health. Forty-four coypus from the “Parco Naturale La Mandria” (Piedmont region, Northwest Italy) have been analysed. A complete necropsy and a whole histological evaluation of the liver, kidney and lung have been carried out on all the animals. Moreover, the positivity to Hepatitis E Virus (HEV), Encephalomyocarditis virus (EMCV), Francisella spp., Toxoplasma gondii and Neospora caninum have been investigated. None of the animal were positive for HEV, EMCV, Francisella spp. or Neospora caninum. Two animals tested positive for Toxoplasma gondii. A high presence of histological lesions has been identified in different organs, suggesting that lesions could be induced by different pathogens. As previously reported, coypu can act as a host for several pathogens, including important agents for human and animal health, and surveillance is necessary to fully understand the biological role and the importance of coypu as a disease reservoir in our country. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Wildlife Diseases: Pathology and Diagnostic Investigation)

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12 pages, 1929 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Survey of Mycobacterium spp. in Eurasian Badgers (Meles meles) in Central Italy

by Elga Ersilia Tieri, Lucio Marino, Katiuscia Zilli, Cinzia Pompilii, Giovanni Di Teodoro, Antonio Cocco, Addolorato Ruberto, Michela Toro, Maria Teresa Mastrodomenico, Stefania Salucci and Fabrizio De Massis

Animals 2024, 14(2), 219; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani14020219 - 09 Jan 2024

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Abstract

A survey to determine the presence of Mycobacterium spp. in the Abruzzo and Molise regions was conducted by testing samples from 124 badgers found dead or road-killed during the 2013–2021 period. Head lymph nodes were collected from all carcasses, as well as mediastinal [...] Read more.

A survey to determine the presence of Mycobacterium spp. in the Abruzzo and Molise regions was conducted by testing samples from 124 badgers found dead or road-killed during the 2013–2021 period. Head lymph nodes were collected from all carcasses, as well as mediastinal lymph nodes from 20 of them, for bacteriological and molecular tests; tissues were inoculated onto a set of solid egg-based Lowenstein–Jensen media and in a liquid culture system (BACTEC) and were analyzed by polymerase chain reactions (PCRs). Organs and lymph nodes from 31 carcasses were collected for histological tests. During post-mortem examinations, macroscopic lesions consistent with a Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex (MTBC) and with nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) infections were not detected. Mycobacteria were isolated from four animals (3.22%). M. avium subsp. avium was isolated by head lymph nodes from two badgers (1.61%), M. avium subsp. paratuberculosis (0.80%) from one, and Mycobacterium spp. from another (0.80%). The significance of nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) in wildlife hosts in the absence of clinical signs and gross pathology has yet to be assessed. The most critical aspect came from isolates belonging to the Mycobacterium avium complex infection in wildlife due to the possible interference with tuberculin skin tests in cattle. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Wildlife Diseases: Pathology and Diagnostic Investigation)

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15 pages, 4348 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Prevalence and Characterization of Dental and Skull-Bone Pathologies of the Raccoon Dog (Nyctereutes procyonoides) in Lithuania

by Eugenijus Jurgelėnas, Indrė Jasinevičiūtė and Linas Daugnora

Animals 2023, 13(15), 2437; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani13152437 - 27 Jul 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1065

Abstract

The present investigation endeavours to discern dental and non-dental pathologies affecting cranial structures of raccoon dogs, while focusing on cases of periodontitis. Furthermore, the study aims to conduct a comparative analysis based on sex and the nature of the pathologies encountered. The number [...] Read more.

The present investigation endeavours to discern dental and non-dental pathologies affecting cranial structures of raccoon dogs, while focusing on cases of periodontitis. Furthermore, the study aims to conduct a comparative analysis based on sex and the nature of the pathologies encountered. The number of investigated skulls amounted to 126, including 76 males and 50 females. The predominant pathology identified was hypodontia, which accounted for 26.7% of males and 20% of females. Notably, the majority of hypodontia cases involved the absence of the mandibular third molar. Another noteworthy pathology was various stages of periodontitis, with rates ranging from 21.3% in males to 8% in females. Other pathologies, like tooth fractures and abrasion, were significantly less encountered. Excessive bone formation was relatively abundant and localized in specific areas—the parietal bone and the occipital regions. This tendency was observed in 8% of male cases and 6% of females. We found that the total number of dental and skull-bone pathologies is significantly more common in males than in females (p = 0.003). Additionally, the total number of various cases of periodontitis is more common in males too (p = 0.04). Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Wildlife Diseases: Pathology and Diagnostic Investigation)

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19 pages, 8380 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Cetacean Intracytoplasmic Eosinophilic Globules: A Cytomorphological, Histological, Histochemical, Immunohistochemical, and Proteomic Characterization

by Antonio Fernández, Nakita Câmara, Eva Sierra, Manuel Arbelo, Yara Bernaldo de Quirós, Paul D. Jepson, Rob Deaville, Josué Díaz-Delgado, Cristian Suárez-Santana, Ayoze Castro, Julia N. Hernández and Ana Godinho

Animals 2023, 13(13), 2130; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani13132130 - 27 Jun 2023

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Abstract

The nature, etiopathogenesis, and clinicopathologic relevance of the prevalent intracytoplasmic eosinophilic globules (IEGs) within hepatocytes of cetaceans are unknown. This study aims to evaluate the presence and characterize the IEGs in the hepatocytes of cetaceans using histochemical and immunohistochemical electron microscopy, Western blot, [...] Read more.

The nature, etiopathogenesis, and clinicopathologic relevance of the prevalent intracytoplasmic eosinophilic globules (IEGs) within hepatocytes of cetaceans are unknown. This study aims to evaluate the presence and characterize the IEGs in the hepatocytes of cetaceans using histochemical and immunohistochemical electron microscopy, Western blot, lectin histochemistry, and matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry techniques. A total of 95/115 (83%) animals (16 species) exhibited histologically evident intracytoplasmic round to oval, single to multiple, hyaline eosinophilic globules within the hepatocytes. These globules were largely PAS-positive, diastase resistant, and were immunopositive for fibrinogen (FB, 97%), albumin (Alb, 85%), and α1-antitrypsine (A1AT, 53%). The IEG positivity for FB and A1AT were correlated with live-stranding, hepatic congestion and a good nutritional status. The cetaceans lacking IEGs were consistently dead stranded and had poor body conditions. The IEGs in 36 bycaught cetaceans were, all except one, FB-positive and A1AT-negative. The IEGs exhibited morphologic and compositional variations at the ultrastructural level, suggesting various stages of development and/or etiopathogenesis(es). The glycocalyx analysis suggested an FB- and A1AT-glycosylation pattern variability between cetaceans and other animals. The proteomic analyses confirmed an association between the IEGs and acute phase proteins, suggesting a relationship between acute stress (i.e., bycatch), disease, and cellular protective mechanisms, allowing pathologists to correlate this morphological change using the acute hepatocytic cell response under certain stress conditions. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Wildlife Diseases: Pathology and Diagnostic Investigation)

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8 pages, 20475 KiB

Open AccessCase Report

Ectopic Pregnancy and T-Cell Lymphoma in a Eurasian Red Squirrel (Sciurus vulgaris): Possible Comorbidity and a Comparative Pathology Perspective

by Caterina Raso, Valentina Galietta, Claudia Eleni, Marco Innocenti, Niccolò Fonti, Tiziana Palmerini, Mauro Grillo, Pietro Calderini and Elena Borgogni

Animals 2024, 14(5), 731; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani14050731 - 27 Feb 2024

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Abstract

Ectopic pregnancy (EP) is a life-threatening disease that affects humans and other mammals. Tumors causing ruptures of the reproductive tract have been identified as possible predisposing factors in human and veterinary medicine. We here describe a case of concomitant ectopic pregnancy and lymphoma [...] Read more.

Ectopic pregnancy (EP) is a life-threatening disease that affects humans and other mammals. Tumors causing ruptures of the reproductive tract have been identified as possible predisposing factors in human and veterinary medicine. We here describe a case of concomitant ectopic pregnancy and lymphoma in a Eurasian red squirrel found deceased in Italy and submitted to the public health laboratory Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Lazio e della Toscana (IZSLT) for post-mortem examination. A full-term partially mummified ectopic fetus in the abdomen and a large fibrinonecrotic tubal scar adjacent to the right ovary were observed at necropsy. The tubal scar is likely the point of tubal rupture through which the fetus displaced. Histology revealed the presence of neoplastic cells referable to lymphoma infiltrating the ovary, spleen, small intestine, heart and peripancreatic adipose tissue. The lymphoma was further characterized as T-cell-type using immunohistochemistry. We suggest that the lymphoma, by involving the ovary, played a pathogenetic role in the development of a secondary EP by altering the genital tract at the structural and hormonal levels. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of concomitant ovarian lymphoma and EP in animals and humans in the literature. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Wildlife Diseases: Pathology and Diagnostic Investigation)

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9 pages, 4113 KiB

Open AccessCase Report

Adhesive Bowel Obstruction (ABO) in a Stranded Narrow-Ridged Finless Porpoise (Neophocaena asiaeorientalis sunameri)

by Sung Bin Lee, Adams Hei Long Yuen, Young Min Lee, Sang Wha Kim, Sunmin Kim, Cherry Tsz Ching Poon, Won Joon Jung, Sib Sankar Giri, Sang Guen Kim, Su Jin Jo, Jae Hong Park, Mae Hyun Hwang, Jong-pil Seo, Seongjun Choe, Byung Yeop Kim and Se Chang Park

Animals 2023, 13(24), 3767; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani13243767 - 06 Dec 2023

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Abstract

In this case report, we present a rare occurrence of a narrow-ridged finless porpoise (Neophocaena asiaeorientalis sunameri), discovered on the coast of Jeju Island, Republic of Korea, that was afflicted with adhesive bowel obstruction (ABO), a life-threatening condition that has scarcely [...] Read more.

In this case report, we present a rare occurrence of a narrow-ridged finless porpoise (Neophocaena asiaeorientalis sunameri), discovered on the coast of Jeju Island, Republic of Korea, that was afflicted with adhesive bowel obstruction (ABO), a life-threatening condition that has scarcely been reported in cetaceans. Diagnosis of ABO was confirmed via radiological and clinical assessments. Post-mortem computed tomography and necropsy revealed ABO between two loops of the jejunum at the L8 level. The mesenteric tissue covering the intestinal lesion was severely thickened with increased tension. Both bowel loops were fixed to the mesentery and acutely angulated, leading to asymmetrical thickening of the cross-sectional bowel walls. The intestinal lumen was stenosed because of pressure from the firm mesenteric band, and no fecal matter was observed in the lumen of the posterior bowel or rectum. Calcified nodules were detected, and histological analysis suggested parasitic or suspected post-parasitic infections. The primary cause of the intestinal lesions is presumed to be a reaction related to parasitic infection. However, further investigations would establish a definitive link between parasitic infections and ABO in this species. This case highlights the importance of studying rare medical conditions in wildlife, providing valuable insights into marine mammal health. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Wildlife Diseases: Pathology and Diagnostic Investigation)

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