High Prevalence of Antibodies against Canine Parvovirus and Canine Distemper Virus among Coyotes and Foxes from Pennsylvania: Implications for the Intersection of Companion Animals and Wildlife.

Canine distemper virus (CDV) and Canine parvovirus (CPV) can cause deadly infections in wildlife and companion animals. In this report, we screened serum from free-ranging eastern coyotes (Canis latrans; N = 268), red foxes (Vulpes vulpes; N = 63), and gray foxes (Urocyon cinereoargenteus; N = 16) from Pennsylvania, USA, for antibodies (Abs) to CDV and CPV. This comprehensive screening was achieved using a commercially available enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA)-based colorimetric assay. Abs to CDV and CPV were detected in 25.4% and 45.5% of coyotes, 36.5% and 52.4% of red foxes, and 12.5% and 68.8% of gray foxes, respectively. Abs to both viruses were detected in 9.7% of coyotes, 19.1% of red foxes, and 12.5% of gray foxes. This study demonstrates significant wildlife exposure in a northeastern state to CDV and CPV. As wildlife species continue to urbanize, the probability of spillover between domestic animals and wildlife will increase. Ongoing surveillance of wildlife for CDV and CPV exposure is warranted. IMPORTANCECanine distemper virus (CDV) and Canine parvovirus (CPV) are significant health threats to domestic dogs (Canis familiaris) and wildlife. CDV and CPV have been identified in diverse vertebrates, including endangered wildlife species. Susceptibility to these viral pathogens varies significantly among geographic regions and between host species. High morbidity and mortality have been reported with infection by either virus in susceptible species, including dogs. As humans and companion animals encroach on wildlife habitat, and as wildlife becomes increasingly urbanized, the potential for transmission between species increases. This study assessed CPV and CDV Ab prevalence in wild canids (eastern coyotes, red foxes, and gray foxes) harvested in Pennsylvania between 2015 and 2020. High Ab prevalence was demonstrated for both viruses in each species. Ongoing monitoring of CPV and CDV in wildlife and increased efforts to vaccinate dogs and prevent spillover events are essential.

Schwann cell-derived periostin promotes autoimmune peripheral polyneuropathy via macrophage recruitment.

Chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP) and Guillain-Barre syndrome (GBS) are inflammatory neuropathies that affect humans and are characterized by peripheral nerve myelin destruction and macrophage-containing immune infiltrates. In contrast to the traditional view that the peripheral nerve is simply the target of autoimmunity, we report here that peripheral nerve Schwann cells exacerbate the autoimmune process through extracellular matrix (ECM) protein induction. In a spontaneous autoimmune peripheral polyneuropathy (SAPP) mouse model of inflammatory neuropathy and CIDP nerve biopsies, the ECM protein periostin (POSTN) was upregulated in affected sciatic nerves and was primarily expressed by Schwann cells. Postn deficiency delayed the onset and reduced the extent of neuropathy, as well as decreased the number of macrophages infiltrating the sciatic nerve. In an in vitro assay, POSTN promoted macrophage chemotaxis in an integrin-AM (ITGAM) and ITGAV-dependent manner. The PNS-infiltrating macrophages in SAPP-affected nerves were pathogenic, since depletion of macrophages protected against the development of neuropathy. Our findings show that Schwann cells promote macrophage infiltration by upregulating Postn and suggest that POSTN is a novel target for the treatment of macrophage-associated inflammatory neuropathies.