Genomic analyses reveal poaching hotspots and illegal trade in pangolins from Africa to Asia.

The white-bellied pangolin (Phataginus tricuspis) is the world's most trafficked mammal and is at risk of extinction. Reducing the illegal wildlife trade requires an understanding of its origins. Using a genomic approach for tracing confiscations and analyzing 111 samples collected from known geographic localities in Africa and 643 seized scales from Asia between 2012 and 2018, we found that poaching pressures shifted over time from West to Central Africa. Recently, Cameroon's southern border has emerged as a site of intense poaching. Using data from seizures representing nearly 1 million African pangolins, we identified Nigeria as one important hub for trafficking, where scales are amassed and transshipped to markets in Asia. This origin-to-destination approach offers new opportunities to disrupt the illegal wildlife trade and to guide anti-trafficking measures.

A novel group of avian astroviruses in wild aquatic birds.

Using a pan-astrovirus reverse transcription-PCR assay, a great diversity of novel avastroviruses was detected from wild bird and poultry samples. Two groups of astroviruses detected from wild birds are genetically related or highly similar to previously known viruses in poultry. Most interestingly, a novel group of astroviruses was detected in wild aquatic birds. Our results also reveal that different groups of astroviruses might have difference host ranges. This study has expanded our understanding regarding avastrovirus ecology.

Green pit viper antivenom from Thailand and Agkistrodon halys antivenom from China compared in treating Cryptelytrops albolabris envenomation of mice.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the relative efficacy of the green pit viper antivenom from Thailand and Agkistrodon halys antivenom from China. DESIGN. In-vivo experimental study. SETTING: A wildlife conservation organisation, a university, a poison information centre, and a regional hospital in Hong Kong. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Pre- and post-antivenom lethal dose 50 (LD50) of the Cryptelytrops albolabris venom, median effective dose (ED50) of green pit viper antivenom and Agkistrodon halys antivenom against a lethal dose of the venom. SUBJECTS. Adult mice. RESULTS: The intraperitoneal LD50 of the venom from locally caught Cryptelytrops albolabris was 0.14 microL. After post-exposure treatment with 10 microL of antivenom, it was elevated to 0.36 microL and 0.52 microL by the green pit viper antivenom and the Agkistrodon halys antivenom, respectively. The ED50 was 32.02 microL for green pit viper antivenom and 6.98 microL for Agkistrodon halys antivenom. Both green pit viper antivenom and Agkistrodon halys antivenom ameliorated the lethality of Cryptelytrops albolabris venom in mice. CONCLUSION: The overall superior neutralisation capacity of Agkistrodon halys antivenom over green pit viper antivenom may be related to the geographic proximity of the venoms used for antivenom preparation. The results point towards the need for further comparison of the two antivenoms on protein or immunoglobulin weight basis, and with respect to non-lethal clinically significant toxicities.

A cross-sectional survey of snake oral bacterial flora from Hong Kong, SAR, China.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the pattern of oral bacterial flora and their sensitivity to antibiotics in freshly captured native snakes in Hong Kong SAR, People's Republic of China. METHODS: Healthy native snakes were captured and kept in a designated centre. Snake species were identified by experienced herpetologists. Mouth swabs were taken by the veterinarian using strict aseptic techniques. The snakes were released back to the wild immediately after the above procedure. Swabs were sent for microbiological studies of bacterial culture and antibiotic sensitivity. RESULTS: 47 venomous snakes of the families Colubridae, Elapidae and Viperidae and 53 non-medically important snakes were captured. 406 bacterial isolates of 72 different species were cultured: these included gram negative and positive bacterial species and also anaerobic bacterial species. With the exception of the white-lipped pit viper (Cryptelytrops albolabris), venomous snakes harboured more pathogenic bacteria and total bacteria species compared to the non-medically important species. Of the venomous snakes, the Chinese cobra (Naja atra) harboured the largest number of bacterial species. In the present study, all gram negative bacteria associated with wound infection were sensitive to levofloxacin, netilmicin and piperacillin/tazobactam. Many gram negative bacteria in the study were not sensitive to cefuroxime axetil. Amoxicillin/clavulanic acid was an appropriate choice to cover Enterococcus faecalis and anaerobes. CONCLUSION: In the presence of wound infection from snakebite injury in Hong Kong, first line empirical antibiotics include amoxicillin/clavulanic acid plus levofloxacin. Prophylactic antibiotics may be considered in selected cases of Chinese cobra (N. atra) bite, otherwise prophylactic antibiotics are not recommended in snakebite unless tissue necrosis is present.