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Diagnosis, Evaluation, and Management of Wildlife, Exotic and Zoo Animals Disease

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A special issue of Animals (ISSN 2076-2615). This special issue belongs to the section "Wildlife".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (10 February 2024) | Viewed by 13986

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Special Issue Editors

Dr. Isabel Pires

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Guest Editor

Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro, Vila Real, Portugal
Interests: wildlife pathology; veterinary forensics; oncology; wildlife conservation; animal cancer registry
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Dr. Andreia Garcês

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor

1. Exotic and Wildlife Service Veterinary Hospital, University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro, 4500-801 Vila Real, Portugal
2. CITAB, University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro, 4500-801 Vila Real, Portugal
3. CECAV, University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro, 4500-801 Vila Real, Portugal
Interests: biomarkers of environmental pollution; zoonoses; infectious diseases; forensic veterinary pathology; wildlife conservation
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Dr. Filipe da Costa Silva

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor

Veterinary Teaching Hospital, University of Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro, Vila Real, Portugal
Interests: wildlife; conservation; medicine; diseases
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Disease in wildlife, exotic and zoo animals is as complex as the variety of species and agents in a world that, like them, is constantly changing. Therefore, the disease needs to be seen evolutionarily, in which aetiology, pathogenesis, and functional and structural changes evolve.

Disease detection in a wild animal should always be approached from a global perspective because these animals can act as sentinels of disease, reservoirs of agents, sentinels of environmental contamination, climate change and indicators of its population status. Thus, the approach to disease should be holistic and consider the impact on humans and ecosystems from a conservation perspective.

In the case of wild animals, disease management must consider the treatment and recovery of the animal and its return to the wild, which involves multidisciplinary and integrated work.

This Special Issue is devoted to all themes related to wildlife, exotic and zoo animals' health and disease, from diagnostics to treatments, to education and conservation aspects for a deeper understanding of wildlife medicine and pathology, in the form of original research manuscripts, short communications of preliminary but significant results, reviews, and case reports.

Dr. Isabel Pires
Dr. Andreia Garcês
Dr. Filipe da Costa Silva
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Animals is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2400 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

wildlife
exotic zoological animals
diagnosis
therapeutic
conservation
one health

Published Papers (14 papers)

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Research

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16 pages, 17494 KiB

Open AccessFeature PaperArticle

Correlation between Cross-Sectional Anatomy and Computed Tomography of the Normal Six-Banded Armadillo (Euphractus sexcintus) Nasal Cavity and Paranasal Sinuses

by José Raduan Jaber, Daniel Morales Bordon, Alberto Arencibia, Juan Alberto Corbera, Magnolia Conde-Felipe, Maria Dolores Ayala and Mario Encinoso

Animals 2024, 14(7), 1135; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani14071135 - 8 Apr 2024

Viewed by 486

Abstract

This research aimed to study the rostral part of the head of the six-banded armadillo, applying advanced imaging techniques such as CT. Furthermore, by combining the images obtained through this technique with anatomical cross-sections, an adequate description of the structures that constitute the rostral part of the head of this species is presented. This anatomical information could provide a valuable diagnostic tool for the clinical evaluation of different disorders in the six-banded armadillo’s nasal cavity and paranasal sinuses. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Diagnosis, Evaluation, and Management of Wildlife, Exotic and Zoo Animals Disease)

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16 pages, 690 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Diphyllobothrium sp. and Other Parasites of Migrating and Rare Fish Species in the Southern Baltic Sea and Coastal Waters, Poland

by Izabella Rząd, Beata Więcaszek, Angelika Linowska, Agata Korzelecka-Orkisz and Ewa Dzika

Animals 2024, 14(7), 1029; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani14071029 - 28 Mar 2024

Viewed by 706

Abstract

The present study is the first to analyse the parasite fauna of sole Solea solea, dab Limanda limanda, hake Merluccius merluccius, whiting Merlangius merlangus, and plaice Pleuronectes platessa in the Pomeranian Bay, as well as saithe Pollachius virens from the Szczecin Lagoon (Poland). The aim of this study was to determine the occurrence of parasites in migrating and rare fish in the Pomeranian Bay and the Szczecin Lagoon and to determine the composition of the diet of these fish. The fish for analysis were obtained in the years 2010–2019. The typical marine nematode Capillaria (Procapillaria) gracilis, rarely recorded in Poland, was found, in addition to the following parasites: Ichthyophonus hoferi, Trichodina jadranica, Diphyllobothrium sp., Dichelyne (Cucullanellus) minutus, Raphidascaris acus, Anisakis simplex, Contracaecum osculatum, Hysterothylacium aduncum, Pseudoterranova decipiens, and Echinorhynchus gadi. Because the fish species analysed in the study are not typically present in the Baltic (with the exception of plaice), and because we do not know how long they feed while they are in the Baltic, we cannot be certain which parasites they acquired in the water bodies analysed in the study and which were introduced during the migration of fish. Although these fish are outside of their normal geographic range (except for plaice), in the new environment, there were enough suitable intermediate hosts for the parasites of these fish to complete their life cycle and survive. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Diagnosis, Evaluation, and Management of Wildlife, Exotic and Zoo Animals Disease)

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7 pages, 235 KiB

Open AccessCommunication

Measurement of Tear Production and Intraocular Pressure in Clinically Conscious Normal Captive Red Deer (Cervus elaphus)

by Liga Kovalcuka and Aija Malniece

Animals 2024, 14(6), 940; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani14060940 - 19 Mar 2024

Viewed by 545

Abstract

Normal values of tear production (STT) and intraocular pressure (IOP) have not been reported in conscious red deer to date. The objective was to determine the normal range of STT and IOP in clinically healthy, conscious red deer (Cervus elaphus) by utilizing a chute restraint. A total of 60 red deer were examined in this study. Both eyes of all red deer underwent a complete ophthalmic examination, including evaluation of tear production with the Schirmer tear test (STT) and assessment of intraocular pressure (IOP) with rebound tonometry, employing the TonoVet^® device. The mean ± standard deviation of STT values were 18.35 ± 4.54 mm/30 s in the right eye and 17.87 ± 4.12 mm/30 s in the left; for both eyes, 18.11 ± 4.33 mm/30 s, with a reference range of 17.33–18.89 mm/30 s. IOP was as follows: 26.96 ± 4.42 mmHg in the right eye and 26.67 ± 3.80 mmHg in the left; for both eyes, it was 26.81 ± 4.11 mmHg, with a reference range of 26.07–27.55 mm/30 s. No statistically significant differences were observed between the IOP and STT values of the right and left eyes. This study provides a reference range for the STT and IOP in healthy red deer, showing that STT determination of tear production, and rebound tonometry to evaluate the IOP methods, are practical methods for ophthalmic examination in deer. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Diagnosis, Evaluation, and Management of Wildlife, Exotic and Zoo Animals Disease)

10 pages, 660 KiB

Open AccessFeature PaperArticle

Exposure to Coxiella burnetii in Wild Lagomorphs in Spanish Mediterranean Ecosystems

by Sabrina Castro-Scholten, Javier Caballero-Gómez, David Cano-Terriza, Débora Jiménez-Martín, Carlos Rouco, Adrián Beato-Benítez, Leonor Camacho-Sillero and Ignacio García-Bocanegra

Animals 2024, 14(5), 749; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani14050749 - 28 Feb 2024

Viewed by 664

Abstract

Coxiella burnetii is an important zoonotic pathogen of worldwide distribution that can infect a wide range of wild and domestic species. The European wild rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) can play a role as a reservoir for this bacterium in certain epidemiological scenarios, but, to date, a very limited numbers of large-scale serosurveys have been conducted for this species worldwide. Although exposure in hare species has also been described, C. burnetii in Iberian hare (Lepus granatensis) has never been assessed. Here, we aimed to determine the seroprevalence and risk factors associated with C. burnetii exposure in wild lagomorphs in the Mediterranean ecosystems of southern Spain. Between the 2018/2019 and 2021/2022 hunting seasons, blood samples from 638 wild lagomorphs, including 471 wild rabbits and 167 Iberian hares, were collected from 112 hunting grounds distributed across all eight provinces of Andalusia (southern Spain). The overall apparent individual seroprevalence was 8.9% (57/638; 95% CI: 6.8–11.4). Antibodies against C. burnetii were found in 11.3% (53/471; 95% CI: 8.4–14.1) of the wild rabbits and 2.4% (4/167; 95% CI: 0.1–4.7) of the Iberian hares. Seropositive animals were detected for 16 (14.3%; 95% CI: 7.8–20.8) of the 112 hunting grounds tested and in all the hunting seasons sampled. A generalized estimating equations model showed that the geographical area (western Andalusia) and presence of sheep were risk factors potentially associated with C. burnetii exposure in wild lagomorphs. A statistically significant spatial cluster (p < 0.001) was identified in the south-west of Andalusia. Our results provide evidence of moderate, endemic and heterogeneous circulation of C. burnetii in wild lagomorph populations in Spanish Mediterranean ecosystems. Risk-based strategies for integrative surveillance programs should be implemented in these species to reduce the risk of transmission of the bacterium to sympatric species, including humans. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Diagnosis, Evaluation, and Management of Wildlife, Exotic and Zoo Animals Disease)

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18 pages, 3115 KiB

Open AccessFeature PaperArticle

ESBL-Type and AmpC-Type Beta-Lactamases in Third Generation Cephalosporin-Resistant Enterobacterales Isolated from Animal Feces in Madagascar

by Ulrich Schotte, Julian Ehlers, Johanna Nieter, Raphaël Rakotozandrindrainy, Silver A. Wolf, Torsten Semmler, Hagen Frickmann, Sven Poppert and Christa Ewers

Animals 2024, 14(5), 741; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani14050741 - 27 Feb 2024

Viewed by 674

Abstract

Third generation cephalosporin-resistant (3GCR) Enterobacterales are known to be prevalent in Madagascar, with high colonization or infection rates in particular in Madagascan patients. Extended spectrum beta-lactamases (ESBLs) have been reported to be the predominant underlying resistance mechanism in human isolates. So far, little is known on antimicrobial resistance and its molecular determinants in Enterobacterales and other bacteria causing enteric colonization of Madagascan wild animals. To address this topic, swabs from 49 animal stool droppings were collected in the Madagascan Tsimanapesotsa National Park and assessed by cultural growth of bacterial microorganisms on elective media. In addition to 7 Acinetobacter spp., a total of 31 Enterobacterales growing on elective agar for Enterobacterales could be isolated and subjected to whole genome sequencing. Enterobacter spp. was the most frequently isolated genus, and AmpC-type beta-lactamases were the quantitatively dominating molecular resistance mechanism. In contrast, the bla_CTX-M-15 gene, which has repeatedly been associated with 3GC-resistance in Madagascan Enterobacterales from humans, was detected in a single Escherichia coli isolate only. The identification of the fosfomycin-resistance gene fosA in a high proportion of isolates is concerning, as fosfomycin is increasingly used to treat infections caused by multidrug-resistant bacteria. In conclusion, the proof-of-principle assessment indicated a high colonization rate of resistant bacteria in stool droppings of Madagascan wild animals with a particular focus on 3GCR Enterobacterales. Future studies should confirm these preliminary results in a more systematic way and assess the molecular relationship of animal and human isolates to identify potential routes of transmission. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Diagnosis, Evaluation, and Management of Wildlife, Exotic and Zoo Animals Disease)

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15 pages, 958 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Assessing Different Chronic Wasting Disease Training Aids for Use with Detection Dogs

by Amritha Mallikarjun, Ila Charendoff, Madison B. Moore, Clara Wilson, Elizabeth Nguyen, Abigail J. Hendrzak, Jean Poulson, Michelle Gibison and Cynthia M. Otto

Animals 2024, 14(2), 300; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani14020300 - 18 Jan 2024

Viewed by 886

Abstract

Chronic wasting disease (CWD) is a highly infectious, fatal prion disease that affects cervid species. One promising method for CWD surveillance is the use of detection dog–handler teams wherein dogs are trained on the volatile organic compound signature of CWD fecal matter. However, using fecal matter from CWD-positive deer poses a biohazard risk; CWD prions can bind to soil particles and remain infectious in contaminated areas for extended periods of time, and it is very difficult to decontaminate the affected areas. One solution is to use noninfectious training aids that can replicate the odor of fecal matter from CWD-positive and CWD-negative deer and are safe to use in the environment. Trained CWD detection dogs’ sensitivity and specificity for different training aid materials (cotton, GetXent tubes, and polydimethylsiloxane, or PDMS) incubated with fecal matter from CWD-positive and CWD-negative deer at two different temperatures (21 °C and 37 °C) for three different lengths of time (6 h, 24 h, and 48 h) were evaluated. Cotton incubated at 21 °C for 24 h was identified as the best aid for CWD based on the dogs’ performance and practical needs for training aid creation. Implications for CWD detection training and for training aid selection in general are discussed. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Diagnosis, Evaluation, and Management of Wildlife, Exotic and Zoo Animals Disease)

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27 pages, 3427 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Trends in Admissions and Outcomes at a British Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre over a Ten-Year Period (2012–2022)

by Elizabeth Mullineaux and Chris Pawson

Animals 2024, 14(1), 86; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani14010086 - 26 Dec 2023

Viewed by 1423

Abstract

Millions of animals pass through wildlife rehabilitation centres (WRCs) globally each year, some dying in captivity, others euthanised, and some released into the wild. Those caring for these animals are generally well-intentioned, but skills, knowledge, and resources may be limited, potentially compromising animal welfare. WRC databases provide an opportunity to provide an evidence base for treatment and conservation efforts. 42,841 records of animals admitted over a 10-year period to a British WRC were analysed. More birds (69.16%) were admitted than mammals (30.48%) and reptiles and amphibians (0.36%). Most admissions were in the summer (48.8%) and spring (26.0%) months. A total of 9 of the 196 species seen made up 57% of admissions, and hedgehogs were the most common species admitted (14% of all admissions and 20% of mammals). Juvenile animals (35.5%) were admitted more frequently than ‘orphans’ (26.0%) or adults (26.4%). ‘Orphaned’ was also the predominant reason for admission (28.3%), followed by ‘injured’ (25.5%). 42.6% of animals were eventually released back to the wild, 19.2% died in captivity, and 37.2% were euthanised; 1% of outcomes were unknown. The prognosis was better for orphaned animals than for those admitted because of injury. Unexpected natural deaths in captivity were found to decline over the period of study, consistent with improved early triage. These findings can be used to focus veterinary and WRC training and seasonal resources on the species and case types most likely to be successfully rehabilitated and released. The findings also have the potential to contribute to our understanding of anthropogenic impacts, historical and regional variations in ecosystem health, and resultant implications for animal welfare. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Diagnosis, Evaluation, and Management of Wildlife, Exotic and Zoo Animals Disease)

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17 pages, 1413 KiB

Open AccessArticle

A Retrospective Analysis of Admission Trends and Outcomes in a Wildlife Rescue and Rehabilitation Center in Costa Rica

by Maria Miguel Costa, Nazaré Pinto da Cunha, Isabel Hagnauer and Marta Venegas

Animals 2024, 14(1), 51; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani14010051 - 22 Dec 2023

Viewed by 873

Abstract

The evaluation of data regarding rehabilitation practices provides reference values for comparison purposes among different rehabilitation centers to critically review protocols and efficiently improve each center. The aim of the present work was to present the main causes of admission to Rescate Wildlife Rescue Center for each taxonomic group, to determine the admission factors that influenced the release and mortality, and to determine the predictive factors of release and mortality of wildlife. To this end, a retrospective study was carried out based on 5785 admissions registered in the database of Rescate Wildlife Rescue Center in Costa Rica in 2020 and 2021. Statistical analysis consisted of sample characterization via the analysis of several categorical variables: species, order, class, age group, cause of admission, outcome, clinical classification and days in the hospital, and respective association with the mortality or release rate. Most of the rescue animals were birds (59.3%), then mammals (20.7%), reptiles (17.4%), and finally ‘others’ (2.6%). The main causes of admission were ‘captivity’ (34.9%), ‘found’ (23.3%), and ‘trauma’ (19.3%). Animals rescued due to ‘captivity’ and the classes ‘birds’ and ‘reptiles’ had the highest release rates. The causes of admission ‘trauma’ and ‘orphanhood’ and the class ‘birds’ had the highest mortality rates. In general, a greater number of days spent in the hospital and membership in the classes ‘reptiles’, ‘juveniles’, in need of ‘basic care’, or ‘clinically healthy’ were predictors of survival. In contrast, the age groups ‘infant’ and ‘nestling’ were predictors of mortality. These results demonstrate the value of maintaining, improving, and studying databases from wildlife rehabilitation centers, as they can provide useful information that can be used to enhance the allocation of economic resources, treatment methods, disease surveillance, public education, and regulatory decision-making, leading to a better understanding of threats to wildlife and subsequent implementation of conservation actions. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Diagnosis, Evaluation, and Management of Wildlife, Exotic and Zoo Animals Disease)

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12 pages, 2665 KiB

Open AccessArticle

First Serologic Survey of Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae in Wild Boars Hunted for Private Consumption in Portugal

by João Canotilho, Ana Carolina Abrantes, David Risco, Pedro Fernández-Llario, José Aranha and Madalena Vieira-Pinto

Animals 2023, 13(18), 2936; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani13182936 - 16 Sep 2023

Viewed by 1008

Abstract

Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae is a relevant zoonotic infectious agent causing swine erysipelas (SE) in wild boar. In Portugal, there is no information on its occurrence. For this reason, this study aims to perform a first serosurvey of SE in hunted wild boars in Portugal. During the 2019/2020 hunting season, 111 sera from hunted wild boar were collected and analysed serologically in the laboratory with a commercial ELISA kit. No animals were eviscerated and examined after the hunt. The hunters took it all for private consumption. The results identified 18 animals that were exposed to SE, corresponding to a seroprevalence of 16.2% (95% CI: 19.9–24.4%). No statistical significance was observed on the effect of gender and age on seropositivity. However, wild boar hunted in Pinhel County, had five times more likely to be seropositivity (p-value < 0.05; OD = 5.4). Apart from its potential debilitating capacity and chronicity in the wild boar population, SE is also a very serious occupational zoonosis. Thus, the result of this first serosurvey in Portugal should raise awareness and alert competent national veterinary authorities and those involved in the hunting sector, especially hunters who directly handle these carcasses. Further studies should be conducted to better understand the role of wild boar as a reservoir and spillover of this disease to other animals and humans. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Diagnosis, Evaluation, and Management of Wildlife, Exotic and Zoo Animals Disease)

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14 pages, 3821 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Admission Causes, Morbidity, and Outcomes in Scavenger Birds in the North of Portugal (2005–2022)

by Andreia Garcês, Isabel Pires, Roberto Sargo, Luís Sousa, Justina Prada and Filipe Silva

Animals 2023, 13(13), 2093; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani13132093 - 24 Jun 2023

Viewed by 1041

Abstract

Portugal is the habitat of three species of vultures. According to the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, Neophron percnopterus is an Endangered species, Aegypius monachus is nearly Threatened, and Gyps fulvus is of Least Concern. This study aims to investigate the admission causes, morbidity, and outcomes of vultures admitted to a wildlife rehabilitation centre and necropsy service in Northern Portugal. Over 17 years (2005–2022), 84 animals were admitted: 10 A. monachus, 69 G. fulvus, and 5 N. percnopterus. The main causes of admission to the centre were 80% (n = 63) unknown cause, 13% (n = 10) found debilitated, 6 % (n = 5) vehicle collision, 4% (n = 3) captivity, 1% (n = 1) gunshot, and 1% (n = 1) electrocution. Most animals were admitted during the summer (45.2%) and autumn (36.9%). Analysis of outcome data showed that 73% (n = 58) of the animals that arrived alive at the centre could be rehabilitated and released back into the wild. Thirteen animals died during treatment and five were found dead. This is the first time that such a lengthy study of results and mortality has been carried out for these species in Portugal. Although the data are limited, they can already provide some information about these populations, particularly for the endangered species that are so rare to observe. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Diagnosis, Evaluation, and Management of Wildlife, Exotic and Zoo Animals Disease)

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Review

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15 pages, 704 KiB

Open AccessReview

Assessing Disease Risks in Wildlife Translocation Projects: A Comprehensive Review of Disease Incidents

by Regina Kate Warne and Anne-Lise Chaber

Animals 2023, 13(21), 3379; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani13213379 - 31 Oct 2023

Viewed by 1075

Abstract

Although translocation projects have been instrumental in the supplementation or restoration of some wild populations, they also carry a large risk of disease transmission to native and translocated animals. This study systematically reviewed conservation translocation projects to identify projects that met the criteria for a translocation significant disease incursion (TSDI), whereby the translocation resulted in negative population growth rates or the failure of populations to grow due to an infectious disease—either in the native or translocated species. In doing so, risk factors for these incidents could be identified. Analysis of the resulting 30 TSDIs demonstrated that there was equal representation of TSDIs using wild-caught and captive-bred animals. Additionally, the type of pathogen predisposed in a TSDI was more likely a result of the animal group translocated (e.g., fungal pathogens were more likely to be detected in amphibian translocations) and it was nearly five times more likely for a disease to be encountered by a translocated species than for a disease to be introduced to a native population. However, there are numerous project-specific predisposing factors for TSDIs, and therefore it is essential that future translocation projects conduct thorough disease risk analysis as well as report their outcomes for the benefit of their own and future translocations. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Diagnosis, Evaluation, and Management of Wildlife, Exotic and Zoo Animals Disease)

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Other

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24 pages, 842 KiB

Open AccessSystematic Review

Pathogenic Bacteria in Free-Living Birds, and Its Public Health Significance

by Aleksandra Kobuszewska and Beata Wysok

Animals 2024, 14(6), 968; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani14060968 - 20 Mar 2024

Viewed by 853

Abstract

Birds that roam freely, particularly those that migrate, have the potential to carry a range of diseases that can be passed on to humans. The vast movement of these birds across diverse environments and urban areas can contribute to the spread of bacteria over long distances, impacting both human and animal populations. Stress, overcrowding, and human interaction can also play a role in the transmission of infectious diseases among birds and humans. Therefore, it is crucial to comprehend the intricate connections between birds, vectors, zoonotic pathogens, and the environment, especially given the increasing urbanization and emergence of zoonotic illnesses. This review aims to provide a systematic overview of the significance of avian species in transmitting bacterial pathogens that pose a risk to public health. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Diagnosis, Evaluation, and Management of Wildlife, Exotic and Zoo Animals Disease)

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11 pages, 1683 KiB

Open AccessBrief Report

Possible Spreading of SARS-CoV-2 from Humans to Captive Non-Human Primates in the Peruvian Amazon

by Andrea Tavera Gonzales, Jhonathan Bazalar Gonzales, Thalía Silvestre Espejo, Milagros Leiva Galarza, Carmen Rodríguez Cueva, Dennis Carhuaricra Huamán, Luis Luna Espinoza and Abelardo Maturrano Hernández

Animals 2024, 14(5), 732; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani14050732 - 27 Feb 2024

Viewed by 1027

Abstract

Human-to-animal transmission events of SARS-CoV-2 (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2) have been reported in both domestic and wild species worldwide. Despite the high rates of contagion and mortality during the COVID-19 (Coronavirus Diseases 2019) pandemic in Peru, no instances of natural virus infection have been documented in wild animals, particularly in the Amazonian regions where human–wildlife interactions are prevalent. In this study, we conducted a surveillance investigation using viral RNA sequencing of fecal samples collected from 76 captive and semi-captive non-human primates (NHPs) in the Loreto, Ucayali, and Madre de Dios regions between August 2022 and February 2023. We detected a segment of the RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) gene of SARS-CoV-2 by metagenomic sequencing in a pooled fecal sample from captive white-fronted capuchins (Cebus unicolor) at a rescue center in Bello Horizonte, Ucayali. Phylogenetic analysis further confirmed that the retrieved partial sequence of the RdRp gene matched the SARS-CoV-2 genome. This study represents the first documented instance of molecular SARS-CoV-2 detection in NHPs in the Peruvian Amazon, underscoring the adverse impact of anthropic activities on the human–NHP interface and emphasizing the importance of ongoing surveillance for early detection and prediction of future emergence of new SARS-CoV-2 variants in animals. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Diagnosis, Evaluation, and Management of Wildlife, Exotic and Zoo Animals Disease)

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8 pages, 954 KiB

Open AccessBrief Report

First Detection of SARS-CoV-2 in White Rhinoceros during a Small-Scale Coronavirus Surveillance in the Bandia Reserve, Senegal

by Jignesh Italiya, Vojtěch Vacek, Petr Matějů, Christophe Dering, Seyma S. Celina, Arame Ndiaye and Jiří Černý

Animals 2023, 13(16), 2593; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani13162593 - 11 Aug 2023

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 1376

Abstract

The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has heightened interest in the monitoring and surveillance of coronaviruses in wildlife. Testing for the virus in animals can provide valuable insights into viral reservoirs, transmission, and pathogenesis. In this study, we present the results of the molecular surveillance project focused on coronaviruses in Senegalese wildlife. During the project, we screened fecal samples of the wild animals living in the Bandia Reserve (ten non-human primates, one giraffe, and two white rhinoceros) and the free-living urban population of African four-toed hedgehogs in Ngaparou. The results showed the absence of coronaviruses in hedgehogs, non-human primates, and a giraffe. A single positive sample was obtained from a white rhinoceros. The sequencing results of amplified RdRp gene confirmed that the detected virus was SARS-CoV-2. This study represents the first documented instance of molecular detection of SARS-CoV-2 in white rhinoceros and, therefore, extends our knowledge of possible SARS-CoV-2 hosts. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Diagnosis, Evaluation, and Management of Wildlife, Exotic and Zoo Animals Disease)

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