ABSTRACT
From wild dogs (Lycaon pictus) in the Serengeti to tigers (Panthera tigris altaica) in the Russian Far East, canine distemper virus (CDV) has been repeatedly identified as a threat to wild carnivores. Between 2020 and 2022, six Indian leopards (P. pardus fusca) presented to Nepali authorities with fatal neurological disease, consistent with CDV. Here, we report the findings of a serosurvey of wild felids from Nepal. A total of 48 serum samples were tested, comprising 28 Bengal tigers (P. t. tigris) and 20 Indian leopards. Neutralizing antibodies were identified in three tigers and six leopards, equating to seroprevalences of 11% (CI: 2.8-29.3%, n = 28) and 30% (CI: 12.8-54.3%, n = 20), respectively. More than one-third of seropositive animals were symptomatic, and three died within a week of being sampled. The predation of domestic dogs (Canis lupus familiaris) has been posited as a potential route of infection. A comparison of existing diet studies revealed that while leopards in Nepal frequently predate on dogs, tigers do not, potentially supporting this hypothesis. However, further work, including molecular analyses, would be needed to confirm this.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: The Asiatic wild water buffalo (Bubalus arnee) is an endangered species that is conserved in the Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve (KTWR), Nepal, and was recently translocated to the Chitwan National Park (CNP). Gastrointestinal (GI) parasites are the cause of significant negative health and production impacts on animals worldwide. METHODS: A coprological survey of GI parasites of wild water buffalo was carried out in the CNP in 2020. Fresh dung samples (n = 25) were collected from wild water buffaloes and analysed using sedimentation and flotation techniques for morphological identification of parasite cysts, oocysts and eggs. RESULTS: Nine different GI parasites were recorded of which Entamoeba spp. (20 samples, 80%) were the most common. The presence of Entamoeba spp. was further validated using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis and DNA sequencing. The PCR results were positive for all of the microscopically positive samples, and the species was identified as Entamoeba bovis. Three samples were sequenced and formed a cluster of E. bovis, which was separated from other Entamoeba spp. in phylogenetic analysis. CONCLUSION: This is the first report for molecular detection of E. bovis from wild water buffaloes in Nepal. Future work should focus on the prevalence of such infections in water buffaloes in forest environments.
