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1.
One Health ; 17: 100600, 2023 Dec.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-37559823

ABSTRACT

Coordinated wildlife disease surveillance (WDS) can help professionals across disciplines effectively safeguard human, animal, and environmental health. The aims of this study were to understand how WDS in Thailand is utilized, valued, and can be improved within a One Health framework. An online questionnaire was distributed to 183 professionals (55.7% response rate) across Thailand working in wildlife, marine animal, livestock, domestic animal, zoo animal, environmental, and public health sectors. Twelve semi-structured interviews with key professionals were then performed. Three-quarters of survey respondents reported using WDS data and information. Sectors agreed upon ranking disease control (76.5% of respondents) as the most beneficial outcome of WDS, while fostering new ideas through collaboration was valued by few participants (2.0%). Accessing data collected by one's own sector was identified as the most challenging (50%) yet least difficult to improve (88.3%). Having legal authority to conduct WDS was the second most frequently identified challenge. Interviewees explained that legal documentation required for cross-institutional collaborations posed a barrier to efficient communication and use of human resources. Survey respondents identified allocation of human resources (75.5%), adequate budget (71.6%), and having a clear communication system between sectors (71.6%) as highest priority areas for improvement to WDS in Thailand. Authorization from administrative officials and support from local community members were identified as challenges during in-person interviews. Future outreach may be directed toward these groups. As 42.9% of marine health professionals had difficulty knowing whom to contact in other sectors and 28.4% of survey respondents indicated that communication with marine health professionals was not applicable to their work, connecting the marine sector with other sectors may be prioritized. This study identifies priorities for addressing current challenges in the establishment of a general WDS system and information management system in Thailand while presenting a model for such evaluation in other regions.

2.
ILAR J ; 61(1): 72-85, 2022 01 07.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-34428796

ABSTRACT

Research with captive wildlife in Animal Biosafety Level 2 (ABSL2) and 3 (ABSL3) facilities is becoming increasingly necessary as emerging and re-emerging diseases involving wildlife have increasing impacts on human, animal, and environmental health. Utilizing wildlife species in a research facility often requires outside the box thinking with specialized knowledge, practices, facilities, and equipment. The USGS National Wildlife Health Center (NWHC) houses an ABSL3 facility dedicated to understanding wildlife diseases and developing tools to mitigate their impacts on animal and human health. This review presents considerations for utilizing captive wildlife for infectious disease studies, including, husbandry, animal welfare, veterinary care, and biosafety. Examples are drawn from primary literature review and collective 40-year experience of the NWHC. Working with wildlife in ABSL2 and ABSL3 facilities differs from laboratory animals in that typical laboratory housing systems, husbandry practices, and biosafety practices are not designed for work with wildlife. This requires thoughtful adaptation of standard equipment and practices, invention of customized solutions and development of appropriate enrichment plans using the natural history of the species and the microbiological characteristics of introduced and native pathogens. Ultimately, this task requires critical risk assessment, understanding of the physical and psychological needs of diverse species, creativity, innovation, and flexibility. Finally, continual reassessment and improvement are imperative in this constantly changing specialty area of infectious disease and environmental hazard research.


Subject(s)
Animals, Wild , Containment of Biohazards , Animal Welfare , Animals , Animals, Laboratory , Risk Assessment
3.
Conserv Sci Pract ; 3(6): e410, 2021 Jun.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-34230913

ABSTRACT

The virus that causes COVID-19 likely evolved in a mammalian host, possibly Old-World bats, before adapting to humans, raising the question of whether reverse zoonotic transmission to bats is possible. Wildlife management agencies in North America are concerned that the activities they authorize could lead to transmission of SARS-CoV-2 to bats from humans. A rapid risk assessment conducted in April 2020 suggested that there was a small but significant possibility that SARS-CoV-2 could be transmitted from humans to bats during summer fieldwork, absent precautions. Subsequent challenge studies in a laboratory setting have shed new information on these risks, as has more detailed information on human epidemiology and transmission. This inquiry focuses on the risk to bats from winter fieldwork, specifically surveys of winter roosts and handling of bats to test for white-nose syndrome or other research needs. We use an aerosol transmission model, with parameter estimates both from the literature and from formal expert judgment, to estimate the risk to three species of North American bats, as a function of several factors. We find that risks of transmission are lower than in the previous assessment and are notably affected by chamber volume and local prevalence of COVID-19. Use of facemasks with high filtration efficiency or a negative COVID-19 test before field surveys can reduce zoonotic risk by 65 to 88%.

4.
Front Public Health ; 9: 627654, 2021.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-34026707

ABSTRACT

The COVID-19 pandemic has re-focused attention on mechanisms that lead to zoonotic disease spillover and spread. Commercial wildlife trade, and associated markets, are recognized mechanisms for zoonotic disease emergence, resulting in a growing global conversation around reducing human disease risks from spillover associated with hunting, trade, and consumption of wild animals. These discussions are especially relevant to people who rely on harvesting wildlife to meet nutritional, and cultural needs, including those in Arctic and boreal regions. Global policies around wildlife use and trade can impact food sovereignty and security, especially of Indigenous Peoples. We reviewed known zoonotic pathogens and current risks of transmission from wildlife (including fish) to humans in North American Arctic and boreal biomes, and evaluated the epidemic and pandemic potential of these zoonoses. We discuss future concerns, and consider monitoring and mitigation measures in these changing socio-ecological systems. While multiple zoonotic pathogens circulate in these systems, risks to humans are mostly limited to individual illness or local community outbreaks. These regions are relatively remote, subject to very cold temperatures, have relatively low wildlife, domestic animal, and pathogen diversity, and in many cases low density, including of humans. Hence, favorable conditions for emergence of novel diseases or major amplification of a spillover event are currently not present. The greatest risk to northern communities from pathogens of pandemic potential is via introduction with humans visiting from other areas. However, Arctic and boreal ecosystems are undergoing rapid changes through climate warming, habitat encroachment, and development; all of which can change host and pathogen relationships, thereby affecting the probability of the emergence of new (and re-emergence of old) zoonoses. Indigenous leadership and engagement in disease monitoring, prevention and response, is vital from the outset, and would increase the success of such efforts, as well as ensure the protection of Indigenous rights as outlined in the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. Partnering with northern communities and including Indigenous Knowledge Systems would improve the timeliness, and likelihood, of detecting emerging zoonotic risks, and contextualize risk assessments to the unique human-wildlife relationships present in northern biomes.


Subject(s)
Animals, Wild , COVID-19 , Animals , Arctic Regions , Ecosystem , Humans , Pandemics/prevention & control , SARS-CoV-2 , United States , Zoonoses/epidemiology
5.
Emerg Infect Dis ; 27(4): 1015-1022, 2021 04.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-33770472

ABSTRACT

The ongoing global pandemic caused by coronavirus disease has once again demonstrated the role of the family Coronaviridae in causing human disease outbreaks. Because severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 was first detected in December 2019, information on its tropism, host range, and clinical manifestations in animals is limited. Given the limited information, data from other coronaviruses might be useful for informing scientific inquiry, risk assessment, and decision-making. We reviewed endemic and emerging infections of alphacoronaviruses and betacoronaviruses in wildlife, livestock, and companion animals and provide information on the receptor use, known hosts, and clinical signs associated with each host for 15 coronaviruses detected in humans and animals. This information can be used to guide implementation of a One Health approach that involves human health, animal health, environmental, and other relevant partners in developing strategies for preparedness, response, and control to current and future coronavirus disease threats.


Subject(s)
Coronaviridae/isolation & purification , Coronavirus Infections/veterinary , Disease Reservoirs/veterinary , Zoonoses/virology , Alphacoronavirus/isolation & purification , Animals , Animals, Wild , Betacoronavirus/isolation & purification , COVID-19/virology , Coronavirus Infections/epidemiology , Coronavirus Infections/virology , Disease Outbreaks , Disease Reservoirs/virology , Host Specificity , Humans , Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus/isolation & purification , Pandemics , SARS-CoV-2 , Zoonoses/epidemiology
6.
PLoS Pathog ; 16(9): e1008758, 2020 09.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-32881980

ABSTRACT

The COVID-19 pandemic highlights the substantial public health, economic, and societal consequences of virus spillover from a wildlife reservoir. Widespread human transmission of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) also presents a new set of challenges when considering viral spillover from people to naïve wildlife and other animal populations. The establishment of new wildlife reservoirs for SARS-CoV-2 would further complicate public health control measures and could lead to wildlife health and conservation impacts. Given the likely bat origin of SARS-CoV-2 and related beta-coronaviruses (ß-CoVs), free-ranging bats are a key group of concern for spillover from humans back to wildlife. Here, we review the diversity and natural host range of ß-CoVs in bats and examine the risk of humans inadvertently infecting free-ranging bats with SARS-CoV-2. Our review of the global distribution and host range of ß-CoV evolutionary lineages suggests that 40+ species of temperate-zone North American bats could be immunologically naïve and susceptible to infection by SARS-CoV-2. We highlight an urgent need to proactively connect the wellbeing of human and wildlife health during the current pandemic and to implement new tools to continue wildlife research while avoiding potentially severe health and conservation impacts of SARS-CoV-2 "spilling back" into free-ranging bat populations.


Subject(s)
Animals, Wild/virology , Betacoronavirus/pathogenicity , Coronavirus Infections/virology , Pneumonia, Viral/virology , Animals , COVID-19 , Chiroptera/virology , Genome, Viral/genetics , Host Specificity/physiology , Humans , Pandemics , SARS-CoV-2
7.
Front Vet Sci ; 7: 50, 2020.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-32232059

ABSTRACT

Growing evidence suggests that multiple wildlife species can be infected with peste des petits ruminants virus (PPRV), with important consequences for the potential maintenance of PPRV in communities of susceptible hosts, and the threat that PPRV may pose to the conservation of wildlife populations and resilience of ecosystems. Significant knowledge gaps in the epidemiology of PPRV across the ruminant community (wildlife and domestic), and the understanding of infection in wildlife and other atypical host species groups (e.g., camelidae, suidae, and bovinae) hinder our ability to apply necessary integrated disease control and management interventions at the wildlife-livestock interface. Similarly, knowledge gaps limit the inclusion of wildlife in the FAO/OIE Global Strategy for the Control and Eradication of PPR, and the framework of activities in the PPR Global Eradication Programme that lays the foundation for eradicating PPR through national and regional efforts. This article reports on the first international meeting on, "Controlling PPR at the livestock-wildlife interface," held in Rome, Italy, March 27-29, 2019. A large group representing national and international institutions discussed recent advances in our understanding of PPRV in wildlife, identified knowledge gaps and research priorities, and formulated recommendations. The need for a better understanding of PPRV epidemiology at the wildlife-livestock interface to support the integration of wildlife into PPR eradication efforts was highlighted by meeting participants along with the reminder that PPR eradication and wildlife conservation need not be viewed as competing priorities, but instead constitute two requisites of healthy socio-ecological systems.

9.
J Vet Sci ; 18(S1): 263-268, 2017 Aug 31.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-28859266

ABSTRACT

Emerging diseases are increasing burdens on public health, negatively affecting the world economy, causing extinction of species, and disrupting ecological integrity. One Health recognizes that human, domestic animal, and wildlife health are interconnected within ecosystem health and provides a framework for the development of multidisciplinary solutions to global health challenges. To date, most health-promoting interventions have focused largely on single-sector outcomes. For example, risk for transmission of zoonotic pathogens from bush-meat hunting is primarily focused on human hygiene and personal protection. However, bush-meat hunting is a complex issue promoting the need for holistic strategies to reduce transmission of zoonotic disease while addressing food security and wildlife conservation issues. Temporal and spatial separation of humans and wildlife, risk communication, and other preventative strategies should allow wildlife and humans to co-exist. Upstream surveillance, vaccination, and other tools to prevent pathogen spillover are also needed. Clear multi-sector outcomes should be defined, and a systems-based approach is needed to develop interventions that reduce risks and balance the needs of humans, wildlife, and the environment. The ultimate goal is long-term action to reduce forces driving emerging diseases and provide interdisciplinary scientific approaches to management of risks, thereby achieving optimal outcomes for human, animal, and environmental health.


Subject(s)
Environmental Health , Animals , Animals, Domestic , Animals, Wild , Birds/virology , Communicable Diseases, Emerging/prevention & control , Global Health , Humans , Influenza in Birds/prevention & control , Interdisciplinary Communication , United States , Zoonoses/prevention & control
10.
J Wildl Dis ; 53(1): 5-18, 2017 01.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-27705103

ABSTRACT

To assess the status of research on wildlife diseases in the Republic of Korea (ROK) and to identify trends, knowledge gaps, and directions for future research, we reviewed epidemiologic publications on wildlife-associated diseases in the ROK. We identified a relatively small but rapidly increasing body of literature. The majority of publications were focused on public or livestock health and relatively few addressed wildlife health. Most studies that focused on human and livestock health were cross-sectional whereas wildlife health studies were mostly case reports. Fifteen diseases notifiable to the World Organisation for Animal Health were identified and 21 diseases were identified as notifiable to either the Korea Ministry of Health and Welfare or the Korea Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs. Two diseases were reported as occurring as epidemics; highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) and virulent Newcastle disease. Six diseases or disease agents were described in the literature as emerging including HPAI, rabies, Babesia microti , avian coronaviruses, scrub typhus, and severe fever thrombocytopenia syndrome virus. The diseases for which there were the largest number of publications were HPAI and rabies. The majority of wildlife-associated zoonotic disease publications focused on food-borne parasitic infections or rodent-associated diseases. Several publications focused on the potential of wildlife as reservoirs of livestock diseases; in particular, Korean water deer ( Hydropotes inermis argyropus ) and wild boar ( Sus scrofa ). In contrast, there were few publications on diseases of concern for wildlife populations or research to understand the impacts of these diseases for wildlife management. Increased focus on prospective studies would enhance understanding of disease dynamics in wildlife populations. For the high-consequence diseases that impact multiple sectors, a One Health approach, with coordination among the public health, agricultural, and environmental sectors, would be important. This type of review can provide useful information for countries or regions planning or implementing national wildlife health programs.


Subject(s)
Animals, Wild , Animals , Cross-Sectional Studies , Prospective Studies , Republic of Korea , Retrospective Studies
11.
Avian Dis ; 60(1 Suppl): 354-8, 2016 05.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-27309079

ABSTRACT

In 2014, clade 2.3.4.4 H5N8 highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) viruses spread across the Republic of Korea and ultimately were reported in China, Japan, Russia, and Europe. Mortality associated with a reassortant HPAI H5N2 virus was detected in poultry farms in western Canada at the end of November. The same strain (with identical genetic structure) was then detected in free-living wild birds that had died prior to December 8, 2014, of unrelated causes in Whatcom County, Washington, U. S. A., in an area contiguous with the index Canadian location. A gyrfalcon (Falco rusticolus) that had hunted and fed on an American wigeon (Anas americana) on December 6, 2014, in the same area, and died 2 days later, tested positive for the Eurasian-origin HPAI H5N8. Subsequently, an active surveillance program using hunter-harvested waterfowl in Washington and Oregon detected 10 HPAI H5 viruses, of three different subtypes (four H5N2, three H5N8, and three H5N1) with four segments in common (HA, PB2, NP, and MA). In addition, a mortality-based passive surveillance program detected 18 HPAI (14 H5N2 and four H5N8) cases from Idaho, Kansas, Oregon, Minnesota, Montana, Washington, and Wisconsin. Comparatively, mortality-based passive surveillance appears to have detected these HPAI infections at a higher rate than active surveillance during the period following initial introduction into the United States.


Subject(s)
Animals, Wild/virology , Birds/virology , Influenza A Virus, H5N1 Subtype/isolation & purification , Influenza A Virus, H5N2 Subtype/isolation & purification , Influenza A Virus, H5N8 Subtype/isolation & purification , Influenza in Birds/virology , Animals , Influenza A Virus, H5N1 Subtype/genetics , Influenza A Virus, H5N1 Subtype/pathogenicity , Influenza A Virus, H5N2 Subtype/genetics , Influenza A Virus, H5N2 Subtype/pathogenicity , Influenza A Virus, H5N2 Subtype/physiology , Influenza A Virus, H5N8 Subtype/genetics , Influenza A Virus, H5N8 Subtype/pathogenicity , Influenza A Virus, H5N8 Subtype/physiology , Influenza in Birds/epidemiology , Northwestern United States/epidemiology , Phylogeny , Virulence
12.
Emerg Infect Dis ; 21(5): 886-90, 2015 May.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-25898265

ABSTRACT

Novel Eurasian lineage avian influenza A(H5N8) virus has spread rapidly and globally since January 2014. In December 2014, H5N8 and reassortant H5N2 viruses were detected in wild birds in Washington, USA, and subsequently in backyard birds. When they infect commercial poultry, these highly pathogenic viruses pose substantial trade issues.


Subject(s)
Animals, Wild , Birds , Influenza A virus/classification , Influenza A virus/genetics , Influenza in Birds/epidemiology , Influenza in Birds/virology , Animals , Disease Outbreaks , Genes, Viral , History, 21st Century , Influenza A virus/pathogenicity , Influenza in Birds/history , Phylogeny , Sequence Analysis, DNA , Washington/epidemiology
13.
PLoS One ; 7(1): e29505, 2012.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-22253731

ABSTRACT

The global trade in wildlife has historically contributed to the emergence and spread of infectious diseases. The United States is the world's largest importer of wildlife and wildlife products, yet minimal pathogen surveillance has precluded assessment of the health risks posed by this practice. This report details the findings of a pilot project to establish surveillance methodology for zoonotic agents in confiscated wildlife products. Initial findings from samples collected at several international airports identified parts originating from nonhuman primate (NHP) and rodent species, including baboon, chimpanzee, mangabey, guenon, green monkey, cane rat and rat. Pathogen screening identified retroviruses (simian foamy virus) and/or herpesviruses (cytomegalovirus and lymphocryptovirus) in the NHP samples. These results are the first demonstration that illegal bushmeat importation into the United States could act as a conduit for pathogen spread, and suggest that implementation of disease surveillance of the wildlife trade will help facilitate prevention of disease emergence.


Subject(s)
Animals, Wild/virology , Commerce/legislation & jurisprudence , Meat/virology , Zoonoses/virology , Airports/legislation & jurisprudence , Animals , Base Sequence , Coinfection/genetics , Coinfection/virology , Herpesviridae/genetics , Herpesviridae/isolation & purification , Molecular Sequence Data , Phylogeny , Primates/virology , Rats , Simian foamy virus/genetics , Simian foamy virus/isolation & purification , Species Specificity , United States
14.
J Wildl Dis ; 46(2): 525-31, 2010 Apr.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-20688645

ABSTRACT

There is a lack of information on mineral requirements of free-ranging white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus). In addition, mineral deficiencies or excesses may play a role in the development of parasitism/malnutrition syndrome. We measured hepatic mineral values in apparently healthy white-tailed deer from two sites in Virginia, USA, as well as in deer with presumptive parasitism/malnutrition syndrome during 2005-2007. Deer with presumptive parasitism/malnutrition syndrome that were displaying signs of emaciation and chronic diarrhea had significantly higher mean hepatic levels of magnesium (Mg) and zinc (Zn) compared with healthy deer. Healthy deer in our study from northern Virginia, USA (i.e., Fairfax, Fauquier, Loudoun, and Prince William counties) had significantly lower mean hepatic selenium (Se) levels compared with deer from Nottoway County, Virginia, USA, which is 200 km distant. Healthy deer from northern Virginia, USA, also had significantly lower mean hepatic cobalt (Co), copper (Cu), and molybdenum (Mo) levels. Adult deer had significantly higher mean levels of hepatic iron (Fe) compared with fawns. In addition, male deer had significantly higher mean hepatic Co levels compared with female deer. The significantly higher mean (+/-SD) level of Zn in sick deer from northern Virginia, USA (78.7+/-54.9 microg/g versus 35.8+/-7.4 microg/g in healthy deer) is potentially clinically significant, although no signs consistent with Zn poisoning were observed. All deer in our study from northern Virginia, USA, had marginal or deficient levels of Cu (mean+/-SD=27.4+/-18.3 microg/g) and Se (mean=0.08+/-0.03 microg/g), which may be predisposing this population to the development of parasitism/malnutrition syndrome.


Subject(s)
Animal Nutritional Physiological Phenomena/physiology , Deer/metabolism , Liver/chemistry , Metals/analysis , Minerals/analysis , Age Factors , Animals , Animals, Wild , Deer/physiology , Female , Male , Nutritional Requirements , Sex Factors , Virginia
15.
J Wildl Dis ; 46(3): 1035-9, 2010 Jul.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-20688719

ABSTRACT

A moribund 5-year-old female northern river otter (Lontra canadensis) was found on the bank of a river known to be extensively contaminated with mercury. It exhibited severe ataxia and scleral injection, made no attempt to flee, and died shortly thereafter of drowning. Tissue mercury levels were among the highest ever reported for a free-living terrestrial mammal: kidney, 353 microg/g; liver, 221 microg/g; muscle, 121 microg/g; brain (three replicates from cerebellum), 142, 151, 151 microg/g (all dry weights); and fur, 183 ug/g (fresh weight). Histopathologic findings including severe, diffuse, chronic glomerulosclerosis and moderate interstitial fibrosis were the presumptive cause of clinical signs and death. This is one of a few reports to document the death of a free-living mammal from presumed mercury poisoning.


Subject(s)
Mercury Poisoning/veterinary , Otters , Animals , Animals, Wild , Fatal Outcome , Female , Mercury Poisoning/mortality , Mercury Poisoning/pathology
16.
Ecohealth ; 6(1): 11-5, 2009 Mar.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-19430839

ABSTRACT

Hemorrhagic disease (HD) is an important vector-borne disease of white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus). The objective of this study was to determine whether temperature and precipitation were associated with a measure of annual incidence of HD in white-tailed deer from Virginia. The annual percentages of deer with hoof wall growth interruptions (a clinical sign of HD) from four climate divisions in the HD endemic area of Virginia recorded during 1993-2006 were used as indicators of annual HD incidence. Pearson's correlation coefficients between these indicators of incidence and average temperature (degrees F) or total precipitation (in.) for each month, as well as for winter (January-February), early summer (June-July), and late summer/fall (August-September-October) seasons were calculated. Strong direct correlations between the measure of annual HD incidence and average temperature for winter (r = 0.39, P = 0.003, n = 57), early summer (r = 0.51, P < 0.0001, n = 57), and late summer/fall (r = 0.42, P = 0.001, n = 57) were evident. There also was a strong inverse correlation between the measured annual HD incidence and June precipitation (r = -0.44, P = 0.0006, n = 57). Poisson regression models of seasonal temperatures and June precipitation to annual percentage of deer with hoof wall growth interruptions were developed. Based on Akaike's Information Criterion with small sample size correction (AICc), the global model was selected as the top model. Higher winter and summer temperatures may increase vector capacity and competence, and lower precipitation in June may create favorable breeding sites for midges.


Subject(s)
Climate , Deer/virology , Disease Outbreaks/veterinary , Hemorrhagic Disease Virus, Epizootic , Reoviridae Infections/veterinary , Animals , Ceratopogonidae/virology , Incidence , Insect Vectors/virology , Reoviridae Infections/epidemiology , Reoviridae Infections/transmission , Temperature , Virginia/epidemiology
17.
J Wildl Dis ; 45(1): 201-6, 2009 Jan.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-19204350

ABSTRACT

Johne's disease (paratuberculosis) was diagnosed in a 2-yr-old, male, free-ranging white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) from Fauquier County, Virginia, USA, based on histopathology and culture for Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis. Clinical and pathologic findings included emaciation; loss of body fat; chronic diarrhea; severe, chronic, diffuse granulomatous colitis with intrahistiocytic acid-fast bacilli; moderate, chronic granulomatous lymphadenitis with intrahistiocytic acid-fast bacilli; as well as moderate chronic, multifocal, lymphoplasmacytic hepatitis. These findings are consistent with previous reports of Johne's disease in cervids. Subsequent targeted surveillance of 10 emaciated deer with diarrhea, as well as sampling of 72 asymptomatic deer for M. avium subsp. paratuberculosis using culture of multiple tissue types, as well as serology using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) optimized for cervid antibody detection, did not reveal any additional cases of infection in this geographic region. To date, this appears to be an isolated case of Johne's disease in a free-ranging white-tailed deer, and infection with the causative agent for Johne's disease appears to be an infrequent occurrence in deer from this region. The origin of infection was most likely domestic ruminants. This is the first report of clinical Johne's disease in a free-ranging white-tailed deer outside of the Florida Keys, USA. Stressors, such as high deer population density and low selenium levels, may have contributed to the development of clinical disease in this case and warrant further investigation.


Subject(s)
Deer/microbiology , Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis/isolation & purification , Paratuberculosis/epidemiology , Paratuberculosis/pathology , Animals , Animals, Wild/microbiology , DNA, Bacterial/chemistry , DNA, Bacterial/genetics , Gene Amplification , Male , Polymerase Chain Reaction/methods , Polymerase Chain Reaction/veterinary , Population Density , Selenium/administration & dosage , Selenium/deficiency , Sentinel Surveillance/veterinary , Virginia/epidemiology
18.
J Wildl Dis ; 44(4): 922-9, 2008 Oct.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-18957648

ABSTRACT

Aural abscesses are a common health problem in free-ranging eastern box turtles (Terrapene carolina carolina), and they have been associated with high body burdens of organochlorine (OC) compounds, which are known disruptors of vitamin A. The objective of this study was to determine if the presence of pathologic lesions in box turtles were correlated with increased and decreased levels of hepatic OC compounds and vitamin A, respectively. A graded scale for the pathologic changes observed in tissue samples collected from abscessed and nonabscessed box turtles over a 2-yr period (2003-04) was developed, and the levels of OC compounds and vitamin A in livers collected from the same turtles were determined through chemical analysis. Sixty-eight turtles (40 with aural abscesses and 28 without) were included in the study. Relationships between variables were analyzed using Spearman's Rank Correlation Test, where P

Subject(s)
Abscess/veterinary , Environmental Pollutants/adverse effects , Hydrocarbons, Chlorinated/adverse effects , Insecticides/adverse effects , Turtles , Vitamin A Deficiency/veterinary , Abscess/etiology , Abscess/pathology , Animals , Animals, Wild , Dose-Response Relationship, Drug , Ear, Middle/pathology , Environmental Exposure , Environmental Pollutants/administration & dosage , Environmental Pollutants/analysis , Female , Hydrocarbons, Chlorinated/administration & dosage , Hydrocarbons, Chlorinated/analysis , Insecticides/administration & dosage , Insecticides/analysis , Liver/chemistry , Liver/pathology , Male , Statistics, Nonparametric , Vitamin A/metabolism , Vitamin A Deficiency/chemically induced , Vitamin A Deficiency/pathology
19.
J Wildl Dis ; 44(3): 664-9, 2008 Jul.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-18689652

ABSTRACT

Previously, we reported that wild eastern box turtles (Terrapene carolina carolina) with aural abscesses contained higher body burdens of organochlorine (OC) compounds than those without the lesion. This lesion in captive chelonians is associated with turtles that are fed diets deficient in vitamin A. To examine the pathophysiology of this lesion and evaluate the relationship between OC burdens and vitamin A metabolism, we maintained red-eared sliders (Trachemys scripta elegans) under different conditions of OC exposure and dietary vitamin A concentrations from August 2005 to February 2006. Dietary vitamin A concentration (0 or 5 international units/g in the diet) and OC exposure (no OC compound or the mixture of 2 mg/kg chlordane, 0.25 mg/kg aroclor, and 1 mg/kg lindane) did not affect histologic score based on degree of squamous metaplasia of the tympanic epithelium or levels of plasma or liver vitamin A among the study groups. The results of this study suggest that 6 mo of exposure to the selected OC compounds, or similar duration of reduced dietary vitamin A concentrations do not influence the formation of squamous metaplasia and aural abscesses in red-eared sliders. Further studies are required to determine whether the duration of the experiment was insufficient, the OC compounds selected were inappropriate, the dosing was incorrect, and whether there are other unknown mechanisms causing the reported association between OC exposure and aural abscesses seen in eastern box turtles.


Subject(s)
Abscess/veterinary , Environmental Pollutants/adverse effects , Hydrocarbons, Chlorinated/adverse effects , Tympanic Membrane/pathology , Vitamin A Deficiency/veterinary , Vitamin A/administration & dosage , Abscess/chemically induced , Animals , Animals, Wild , Dose-Response Relationship, Drug , Ear, Middle/pathology , Environmental Exposure , Insecticides/adverse effects , Turtles , Vitamin A Deficiency/chemically induced , Vitamin A Deficiency/complications
20.
Am J Vet Res ; 69(1): 13-22, 2008 Jan.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-18167082

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To compare induction and recovery characteristics and cardiopulmonary effects of isoflurane and sevoflurane in bald eagles. Animals-17 healthy adult bald eagles. PROCEDURES: Anesthesia was induced with isoflurane or sevoflurane delivered in oxygen via a facemask in a crossover design with 4 weeks between treatments. Eagles were intubated, allowed to breathe spontaneously, and instrumented for cardiopulmonary measurements. Time to induction, extubation, and recovery, as well as smoothness of recovery, were recorded. RESULTS: Administration of sevoflurane resulted in a significantly quicker recovery, compared with isoflurane. Temperature, heart rate, and respiratory rate significantly decreased over time, whereas systolic (SAP), diastolic (DAP), and mean arterial blood pressure (MAP) significantly increased over time with each treatment. Temperature, heart rate, SAP, DAP, and MAP were significantly higher with isoflurane. Blood pH significantly decreased, whereas PaCO(2) significantly increased over time with each treatment. Bicarbonate and total carbon dioxide concentrations significantly increased over time with each treatment; however, there was a significant time-treatment interaction. The PaO(2) and arterial oxygen saturation increased over time with isoflurane and decreased over time with sevoflurane with a significant time-treatment interaction. Six eagles developed cardiac arrhythmias with isoflurane, as did 4 with sevoflurane anesthesia. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Isoflurane and sevoflurane administration resulted in smooth, rapid induction of and recovery from anesthesia similar to other species. Isoflurane administration resulted in tachycardia, hypertension, and more arrhythmias, compared with sevoflurane. Sevoflurane was associated with fewer adverse effects and may be particularly beneficial in compromised bald eagles.


Subject(s)
Anesthetics, Inhalation/pharmacology , Eagles/physiology , Isoflurane/pharmacology , Methyl Ethers/pharmacology , Anesthesia Recovery Period , Anesthesia, Inhalation/veterinary , Animals , Body Temperature/drug effects , Cross-Over Studies , Female , Heart Rate/drug effects , Male , Respiration/drug effects , Sevoflurane , Time Factors
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