ABSTRACT
Introduction: Recent evidence shows a high diversity of infectious agents in wildlife that represent a threat to human, domestic, and wild animal health. In Chile, wild populations of the most common cervid species, pudu (Pudu puda), have been reported as hosts for novel pathogens such as Mycoplasma ovis-like and a novel ecotype of Anaplasma phagocytophilum. A better understanding of the epidemiology of this group and other intracellular bacteria that might have cervids as hosts would enlighten their population relevance. This study aimed to determine the occurrence and genetic diversity of Bartonella spp., hemotropic mycoplasmas, and Coxiella burnetii in pudus from Chile. Methods: The DNA was extracted from the blood samples of 69 wild free-ranging and 30 captive pudus from Chile. A combination of real-time (nouG gene for Bartonella and IS1111 element for C. burnetii) and conventional PCR (16S rRNA for hemotropic Mycoplasma spp. and rpoB, gltA, and ITS for Bartonella spp.) was used for pathogen screening and molecular characterization. Results: DNA of Bartonella spp. was detected in 10.1% [95% CI (5.2-18.2%)] samples, hemotropic Mycoplasma spp. in 1.7% [95% CI (0.08-10.1%)], and C. burnetii in 1.0% [95% CI (0.05-6.3%)] samples. Two sequenced samples were identified as Mycoplasma ovis-like, and one free-ranging pudu was positive for C. burnetii. While one captive and two free-ranging pudus were positive for Bartonella henselae, one wild pudu was co-positive for B. henselae and Bartonella sp., similar to Bartonellae identified in ruminants. Discussion: To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of B. henselae in wild ungulate species, and C. burnetii and Bartonella spp. in wild ungulate species in South America. Further research will be necessary to evaluate the potential role of pudu as reservoirs of infection and identify the sources for disease transmission among humans and wild and domestic animals.
ABSTRACT
Introduction: Herpesvirus infections have been highlighted as emerging diseases affecting wildlife health and the conservation of several taxa. Malignant catarrhal fever (MCF) and infectious keratoconjunctivitis (IKC) are two viruses that infect wild ruminants. Nevertheless, epidemiological data on herpesviruses in South American wild ruminants are limited. An outbreak of caprine gammaherpesvirus-2 (CpHV-2) that recently was suspected as the cause of MCF in southern pudus (Pudu puda) prompted the need to conduct molecular screenings in Chilean cervids to understand the epidemiology of herpesviruses. The aim of this study was to determine the occurrence and genetic diversity of herpesviruses in free-ranging cervids from Chile. Methods: Herpesvirus infection was assessed in antemortem blood samples (n = 86) from pudus (n = 81) and huemuls (Hippocamelus bisulcus) (n = 5), as well as postmortem samples of spleen (n = 24) and lung (n = 3) from pudus, using a nested pan-herpesvirus PCR assay. Results: Combining all suitable sample types, DNA of pudu gammaherpesvirus-1 was detected in five pudues and five huemuls, with an overall prevalence of 9.90% (n = 10/101; 95% CI = 5.11-17.87%). One pudu tested positive for ovine gammaherpesvirus-2 (n = 1/96; 1.04%; 95% CI = 0.05-6.49%), and one pudu tested positive for a Macavirus sequence with 98.63 similarity to ovine gammaherpesvirus-2 (n = 96; 1.04%; 95% CI = 0.05-6.49%). Discussion: To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of a herpesvirus in huemul and of ovine gammaherpesvirus-2 in Chile. Our results also confirm the active circulation of herpesvirus in free-ranging cervids in Chilean Patagonia, and as such, MCF should be considered as a possible cause of disease in free-ranging Chilean pudus and livestock species. Further research is necessary to develop a plan of systematic monitoring (serological and pathological screening) of herpesviruses in Chilean wild and domestic ruminants to understand their diversity and impact on animal health and conservation.
