Veterinary Sciences

Editorial

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2 pages, 178 KiB

Open AccessEditorial

Epidemiology of Wildlife Infectious Diseases

by Angela Magnet and Fernando Izquierdo

Vet. Sci. 2023, 10(5), 332; https://doi.org/10.3390/vetsci10050332 - 5 May 2023

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Abstract

The rise of infectious diseases in wildlife has become a severe concern recently, not only in relation to wildlife preservation but also for human health [...] Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Epidemiology of Wildlife Infectious Diseases)

Research

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11 pages, 1073 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Seroprevalence of Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever in Wild and Domestic Animals: An Epidemiological Update for Domestic Animals and First Seroevidence in Wild Animals from Turkiye

by Canakoglu Nurettin, Berber Engin, Tonbak Sukru, Aktas Munir, Vatansever Zati and Ozdarendeli Aykut

Vet. Sci. 2022, 9(9), 462; https://doi.org/10.3390/vetsci9090462 - 29 Aug 2022

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 2217

Abstract

Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever virus (CCHFV) is a zoonotic, tick-borne pathogen that is endemic to some parts of Europe, Africa, and Asia. The disease causes fever and hemorrhagic manifestations in humans but not in animals. Domestic and wild animals are asymptomatic hosts of CCHFV [...] Read more.

Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever virus (CCHFV) is a zoonotic, tick-borne pathogen that is endemic to some parts of Europe, Africa, and Asia. The disease causes fever and hemorrhagic manifestations in humans but not in animals. Domestic and wild animals are asymptomatic hosts of CCHFV and are critical in the transmission cycle. Hyalomma marginatum spp. has been identified as the natural reservoir and vector of the virus in Turkiye. A few studies have been conducted on domesticated animals showing the seroprevalence of CCHFV in them, but seroevidence in wild animals is absent. For contributing this antrum to the understanding of virus transmission in Turkiye, we performed a seroprevalence investigation of CCHFV in both wild and domesticated animals in various geographical areas of Turkiye. In-house IgG iELISA was performed for the screening of sera IgG in a total of 582 animal samples collected from boar (n = 40), cattle (n = 259), goat (n = 132), hare (n = 21), and sheep (n = 130). Results from ELISA performed on domestic animals revealed 10.81%, 15.15%, and 19.23% anti-CCHF virus seropositivity in cattle, goats, and sheep, respectively, in collected serum samples. ELISA tests performed in wild animals showed 23.81% and 2.5% positivity in hare and wild boars, respectively, suggesting the importance of wild animals in CCHF virus epidemiology in Turkiye. This study performed the first serological investigation of CCHFV in wild animals and provided the first seroevidence of CCHFV in wild boars and hare in Turkiye. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Epidemiology of Wildlife Infectious Diseases)

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11 pages, 1000 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Molecular Survey on A, B, C and New Avian Metapneumovirus (aMPV) Subtypes in Wild Birds of Northern-Central Italy

by Claudia Maria Tucciarone, Giovanni Franzo, Matteo Legnardi, Daniela Pasotto, Caterina Lupini, Elena Catelli, Giulia Quaglia, Giulia Graziosi, Emanuela Dal Molin, Federica Gobbo and Mattia Cecchinato

Vet. Sci. 2022, 9(7), 373; https://doi.org/10.3390/vetsci9070373 - 20 Jul 2022

Cited by 9 | Viewed by 2278

Abstract

Recent insights into the genetic and antigenic variability of avian metapneumovirus (aMPV), including the discovery of two new subtypes, have renewed interest in this virus. aMPV causes a well-known respiratory disease in poultry. Domestic species show different susceptibility to aMPV subtypes, whereas sporadic [...] Read more.

Recent insights into the genetic and antigenic variability of avian metapneumovirus (aMPV), including the discovery of two new subtypes, have renewed interest in this virus. aMPV causes a well-known respiratory disease in poultry. Domestic species show different susceptibility to aMPV subtypes, whereas sporadic detections in wild birds have revealed links between epidemiology and migration routes. To explore the epidemiology of aMPV in wild species, a molecular survey was conducted on samples that were collected from wild birds during avian influenza surveillance activity in Italy. The samples were screened in pools by multiplex real time RT-PCR assays in order to detect and differentiate subtypes A, B, C, and those that have been newly identified. All the birds were negative, except for a mallard (Anas platyrhynchos) that was positive for aMPV subtype C (sampled in Padua, in the Veneto region, in 2018). The sequencing of partial M and full G genes placed the strain in an intermediate position between European and Chinese clusters. The absence of subtypes A and B supports the negligible role of wild birds, whereas subtype C detection follows previous serological and molecular identifications in Italy. Subtype C circulation in domestic and wild populations emphasizes the importance of molecular test development and adoption to allow the prompt detection of this likely emerging subtype. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Epidemiology of Wildlife Infectious Diseases)

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12 pages, 841 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Antimicrobial Resistant Salmonella in Chelonians: Assessing Its Potential Risk in Zoological Institutions in Spain

by Clara Marin, Bárbara Martín-Maldonado, Marta Cerdà-Cuéllar, Sandra Sevilla-Navarro, Laura Lorenzo-Rebenaque, Laura Montoro-Dasi, Alicia Manzanares, Teresa Ayats, Aida Mencía-Gutiérrez, Jaume Jordá, Fernando González, Carlos Rojo-Solís, Carlos Barros, Daniel García-Párraga and Santiago Vega

Vet. Sci. 2022, 9(6), 264; https://doi.org/10.3390/vetsci9060264 - 31 May 2022

Cited by 8 | Viewed by 3007

Abstract

Salmonella is mostly noted as a food-borne pathogen, but contact with chelonians has also been reported as a source of infection. Moreover, high levels of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) have been reported in Salmonella isolated from wild and captive reptiles. The aim of this [...] Read more.

Salmonella is mostly noted as a food-borne pathogen, but contact with chelonians has also been reported as a source of infection. Moreover, high levels of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) have been reported in Salmonella isolated from wild and captive reptiles. The aim of this study was to assess the occurrence of Salmonella AMR carriage by chelonians admitted to two zoological institutions in Spain, characterizing the isolates to assess the Salmonella AMR epidemiology in wildlife. To this end, 152 chelonians from nine species were sampled upon their arrival at the zoological nuclei. Salmonella identification was based on ISO 6579-1:2017 (Annex D), isolates were serotyped and their AMR analysed according to the EU Decision 2013/652. Moreover, the genetic relationship of the isolates was assessed by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE). Results showed 19% (29/152) of the chelonians positive to Salmonella, all of them tortoises. For all isolates, 69% (20/29) were resistant and 34% (10/29) multidrug-resistant (MDR) strains. PFGE clustered isolates according to the serovar, confirming a low genetic diversity. In conclusion, this study shows a high presence of MDR Salmonella strains in tortoises at their entry into zoological nuclei. This condition highlights the need to establish Salmonella detection protocols for the entry of animals into these centres. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Epidemiology of Wildlife Infectious Diseases)

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11 pages, 810 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Evidence of Influenza A Virus Infection in Cynomolgus Macaques, Thailand

by Weena Paungpin, Metawee Thongdee, Natthaphat Ketchim, Somjit Chaiwattanarungruengpaisan, Aeknarin Saechin, Ladawan Sariya, Supakarn Kaewchot, Pilaipan Puthavathana and Witthawat Wiriyarat

Vet. Sci. 2022, 9(3), 132; https://doi.org/10.3390/vetsci9030132 - 13 Mar 2022

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2525

Abstract

Little is known about the ecology of influenza A virus (IAV) in nonhuman primates (NHPs). We conducted active surveillance of IAV among 672 cynomolgus macaques (Macaca fascicularis) living in 27 free-ranging colonies in Thailand between March and November 2019. A hemagglutination [...] Read more.

Little is known about the ecology of influenza A virus (IAV) in nonhuman primates (NHPs). We conducted active surveillance of IAV among 672 cynomolgus macaques (Macaca fascicularis) living in 27 free-ranging colonies in Thailand between March and November 2019. A hemagglutination inhibition (HI) assay was employed as the screening test against 16 subtypes of avian influenza virus (AIV) and two strains of the H1 subtype of human influenza virus. The serum samples with HI titers ≥20 were further confirmed by microneutralization (MN) assay. Real-time RT-PCR assay was performed to detect the conserved region of the influenza matrix (M) gene. The seropositive rate for subtypes of IAV, including AIV H1 (1.6%, 11/672), AIV H2 (15.2%, 102/672), AIV H3 (0.3%, 2/672), AIV H9 (3.4%, 23/672), and human H1 (NP-045) (0.9%, 6/672), was demonstrated. We also found antibody against more than one subtype of IAV in 15 out of 128 positive tested sera (11.7%). Moreover, influenza genome could be detected in 1 out of 245 pool swab samples (0.41%). Evidence of IAV infection presented here emphasizes the role of NHPs in the ecology of the virus. Our findings highlight the need to further conduct a continuous active surveillance program in NHP populations. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Epidemiology of Wildlife Infectious Diseases)

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18 pages, 4042 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Molecular Diagnosis of Cetacean Morbillivirus in Beaked Whales Stranded in the Canary Islands (1999–2017)

by Idaira Felipe-Jiménez, Antonio Fernández, Manuel Arbelo, Simone Segura-Göthlin, Ana Colom-Rivero, Cristian M. Suárez-Santana, Jesús De La Fuente and Eva Sierra

Vet. Sci. 2022, 9(3), 121; https://doi.org/10.3390/vetsci9030121 - 7 Mar 2022

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 4022

Abstract

A retrospective survey for detecting the cetacean morbillivirus (CeMV) was carried out in beaked whales (BWs) stranded in the Canary Islands (1999–2017). CeMV is responsible for causing worldwide epizootic events with the highest mass die-offs in cetaceans, although the epidemic status of the [...] Read more.

A retrospective survey for detecting the cetacean morbillivirus (CeMV) was carried out in beaked whales (BWs) stranded in the Canary Islands (1999–2017). CeMV is responsible for causing worldwide epizootic events with the highest mass die-offs in cetaceans, although the epidemic status of the Canarian Archipelago seems to be that of an endemic situation. A total of 319 tissue samples from 55 BWs (35 Cuvier’s BWs and 20 specimens belonging to the Mesoplodon genus) were subjected to the amplification of a fragment of the fusion protein (F) and/or phosphoprotein (P) genes of CeMV by means of one or more of three polymerase chain reactions (PCR). RNA integrity could not be demonstrated in samples from 11 animals. Positivity (dolphin morbillivirus strain (DMV)) was detected in the skin sample of only a subadult male Cuvier’s BW stranded in 2002, being the earliest confirmed occurrence of DMV in the Cuvier’s BW species. The obtained P gene sequence showed the closest relationship with other DMVs detected in a striped dolphin stranded in the Canary Islands in the same year. A phylogenetic analysis supports a previous hypothesis of a cross-species infection and the existence of the circulation of endemic DMV strains in the Atlantic Ocean similar to those later detected in the North-East Atlantic, the Mediterranean Sea and the South-West Pacific. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Epidemiology of Wildlife Infectious Diseases)

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15 pages, 2745 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Molecular and Pathological Detection of Hepatitis E Virus in Roe Deer (Capreolus capreolus) and Fallow Deer (Dama dama) in Central Italy

by Niccolò Fonti, Maria Irene Pacini, Mario Forzan, Francesca Parisi, Marcello Periccioli, Maurizio Mazzei and Alessandro Poli

Vet. Sci. 2022, 9(3), 100; https://doi.org/10.3390/vetsci9030100 - 24 Feb 2022

Cited by 10 | Viewed by 2610

Abstract

Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is a common causative agent of acute hepatitis in the world, with a serious public health burden in both developing and industrialized countries. Cervids, along with wild boars and lagomorphs, are the main wild hosts of HEV in Europe [...] Read more.

Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is a common causative agent of acute hepatitis in the world, with a serious public health burden in both developing and industrialized countries. Cervids, along with wild boars and lagomorphs, are the main wild hosts of HEV in Europe and constitute a documented source of infection for humans. The aim of this study was to evaluate the presence of HEV in roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) and fallow deer (Dama dama) living in Tuscany, Central Italy. Liver samples from 48 roe deer and 60 fallow deer were collected from carcasses during the hunting seasons. Following the results obtained from molecular and histopathologic studies, 5/48 (10.4%) roe deer and 1/60 (1.7%) fallow deer liver samples were positive for the presence of HEV RNA. All PCR-positive livers were also IHC-positive for viral antigen presence, associated with degenerative and inflammatory lesions with predominantly CD3+ cellular infiltrates. This study represents the first identification in Italy of HEV RNA in roe and fallow deer and the first study in literature describing liver alterations associated with HEV infection in cervids. These results demonstrate that HEV is present in wild cervid populations in Italy and confirm the potential zoonotic role of these species. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Epidemiology of Wildlife Infectious Diseases)

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14 pages, 2275 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Molecular Detection of Cryptosporidium cuniculus in Rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) from Tenerife, Canary Islands, Spain

by Edgar Baz-González, Natalia Martín-Carrillo, Katherine García-Livia and Pilar Foronda

Vet. Sci. 2022, 9(2), 91; https://doi.org/10.3390/vetsci9020091 - 18 Feb 2022

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 3785

Abstract

Cryptosporidium cuniculus is a zoonotic parasite responsible for cryptosporidiosis cases and outbreaks in both humans and rabbits. Since there are no molecular Cryptosporidium spp. infection data in rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) from Spain, our aim was to gather information about this parasite [...] Read more.

Cryptosporidium cuniculus is a zoonotic parasite responsible for cryptosporidiosis cases and outbreaks in both humans and rabbits. Since there are no molecular Cryptosporidium spp. infection data in rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) from Spain, our aim was to gather information about this parasite in wild European rabbits from Tenerife, Canary Islands (Spain). A total of 100 faecal samples were collected from rabbits from eight municipalities of Tenerife. Microscopic analysis showed that 4.0% of the samples presented structures compatible with Cryptosporidium oocyst. A nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR) targeting 18S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) gene fragments was carried out, and sequencing confirmed the identity of C. cuniculus in one sample (1.0%). The sample was successfully subtyped using nested PCR analysis of the 60-kDa glycoprotein (gp60) gene as the subtype VbA26R3. This study confirms the presence of C. cuniculus in wild rabbits from Tenerife, providing new information on the occurrence of this zoonotic parasite. Further studies are required to better understand the epidemiology of Cryptosporidium spp. in wild rabbits in Spain and their possible public health repercussions. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Epidemiology of Wildlife Infectious Diseases)

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Review

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18 pages, 387 KiB

Open AccessReview

Human-Borne Pathogens: Are They Threatening Wild Great Ape Populations?

by Pamela C. Köster, Juan Lapuente, Israel Cruz, David Carmena and Francisco Ponce-Gordo

Vet. Sci. 2022, 9(7), 356; https://doi.org/10.3390/vetsci9070356 - 13 Jul 2022

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2326

Abstract

Climate change and anthropic activities are the two main factors explaining wild great ape habitat reduction and population decline. The extent to which human-borne infectious diseases are contributing to this trend is still poorly understood. This is due to insufficient or fragmented knowledge [...] Read more.

Climate change and anthropic activities are the two main factors explaining wild great ape habitat reduction and population decline. The extent to which human-borne infectious diseases are contributing to this trend is still poorly understood. This is due to insufficient or fragmented knowledge on the abundance and distribution of current wild great ape populations, the difficulty obtaining optimal biological samples for diagnostic testing, and the scarcity of pathogen typing data of sufficient quality. This review summarises current information on the most clinically relevant pathogens of viral, bacterial, parasitic, and fungal nature for which transmission from humans to wild great apes is suspected. After appraising the robustness of available epidemiological and/or molecular typing evidence, we attempt to categorise each pathogen according to its likelihood of truly being of human origin. We further discuss those agents for which anthroponotic transmission is more likely. These include two viral (Human Metapneumovirus and Respiratory Syncytial Virus), one bacterial (diarrhoeagenic Escherichia coli), and two parasitic (Cryptosporidium spp. and Giardia duodenalis) pathogens. Finally, we identify the main drawbacks impairing research on anthroponotic pathogen transmission in wild great apes and propose research lines that may contribute to bridging current knowledge gaps. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Epidemiology of Wildlife Infectious Diseases)

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