Serological Study of Exposure to Selected Arthropod-Borne Pathogens in European Bison (Bison bonasus) in Poland.

Bison bonasus is an indigenous species of Central and Eastern Europe with the largest wild population inhabiting Bialowieza Primeval Forest; however, free-living and captive European bison are reared in many countries around the world. Despite that the European bison was rescued from the extinction after the First World War, it remains as endangered species. Changing environment as well as human activity may have contributed to the observed increase of the risk of the emergence and re-emergence of pathogens. The aim of the survey was to establish the distribution of four pathogens transmitted by arthropods including three arboviruses [Bluetongue disease virus (BTV), Epizootic haemorrhagic disease virus (EHDV) and Schmallenberg virus (SBV)] and a bacteria (Francisella tularensis) in the main populations of European bison in Poland. A total of 251 European bison originating from eight main populations were included in the study and sampled between February 2011 and December 2014. Serum samples originated from chemically immobilized, eliminated or dead by natural causes animals. Additionally, 65 cervids from Bialowieza Forest were tested to compare the seroprevalences of other ruminants inhabiting the same environment. The antibodies to SBV and BTV were found in 76.1% and 24.7% of European bison, respectively. In autumn 2012, simultaneous emergence of SBV and BTV in European bison was observed; however, while SBV has spread in all populations scattered around the country, BTV infections were observed only in the north-eastern part of Poland, where BTV cases have been previously reported in domestic ruminants. European bison age was found to be the only significant risk factor for SBV and BTV seroprevalences; however, this association was connected to the animal size, rather than to the length of exposure. None of the animals tested positive for antibodies against EHDV or F. tularensis. SBV exposure rate of cervids was much lower (35.4%) than in European bison, while BTV seroprevalence was comparable in both groups.

A serological and molecular study on the occurrence of mycoplasmas in European bison (Bison bonasus) from two areas of Eastern Poland.

European bison (Bison bonasus) from two different areas of Eastern Poland showing gross pathology possibly associated with mycoplasma infections were tested for ruminant Mycoplasma species using serological and molecular methods. Fifty-five samples, blood or tissue were collected from 28 animals during 2013-2014. Six sera were positive for Mycoplasma bovis. The ELISA and complement fixation test for Mycoplasma mycoides subsp. mycoides gave a few weak reactions, but were negative by immunoblotting and molecular methods.

Hepatitis E virus antibody prevalence in wildlife in Poland.

Hepatitis E is an important public health problem mostly in developing but occasionally also in industrialized countries. Domestic and wildlife animals are considered reservoirs of the hepatitis E virus (HEV). Since no information on the prevalence of autochthonous HEV infections in human and animal in Poland is available, the aim of the study was to investigate the HEV seroprevalence of different wildlife species as potential virus reservoirs in the country. No HEV antibodies were found in any of the sera collected from the red deer (Cervus elaphus), European bison (Bison bonasus), roe deer (Capreolus capreolus), elk (Alces alces), fallow deer (Dama dama), sika deer (Cervus nippon), Tatra chamois (Rupicapra rupicapra tatrica) or brown bear (Ursus arctos). HEV-specific antibodies were detected in 44.4% (95% CI 38.3-50.7) serum samples originated only from wild boars. The percentage of seropositive wild boars differed significantly between the provinces and was positively correlated with the wild boar density and rurality of the area. This study showed that HEV circulates among wild boar population in Poland, and this species should be considered as an important reservoir of the virus.

Serological studies to determine the occurrence of Johne's disease and mycoplasma infection in the Northern-East Polish population of European bison (Bison bonasus).

A serological study of twenty three European bison (Bison bonasus) derived from Northern-East Poland for the seroprevalence of Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis, Mycoplasma bovis, Mycoplasma mycoides subsp. mycoides SC, Mycoplasma agalactiae and Mycoplasma capricolum subsp. capripneumoniae was conducted. Only specific antibodies to M. bovis were detected in two animals (8.7%) which were connected with the clinical signs and macroscopic anatomopathological lesions.