Otterly diverse - A high diversity of Dracunculus species (Spirurida: Dracunculoidea) in North American river otters (Lontra canadensis).

The genus Dracunculus contains numerous species of subcutaneous parasites of mammals and reptiles. In North America, there are at least three mammal-infecting species of Dracunculus. Reports of Dracunculus infections have been reported from river otters (Lontra canadensis) since the early 1900s; however, little is known about the species infecting otters or their ecology. Most reports of Dracunculus do not have a definitive species identified because females, the most common sex found due to their larger size and location in the extremities of the host, lack distinguishing morphological characteristics, and few studies have used molecular methods to confirm identifications. Thus, outside of Ontario, Canada, where both D. insignis and D. lutrae have been confirmed in otters, the species of Dracunculus in river otters is unknown. In the current study, molecular characterization of nematodes from river otters revealed a high diversity of Dracunculus species. In addition to confirming D. insignis infections, two new clades were detected. One clade was a novel species in any host and the other was a clade previously detected in Virginia opossums (Didelphis virginiana) from the USA and a domestic dog from Spain. No infections with D. lutrae were detected and neither new lineage was genetically similar to D. jaguape, which was recently described from a neotropical otter (Lontra longicaudis) from Argentina. These data also indicate that Dracunculus spp. infections in otters are widespread throughout Eastern North America. Currently the life cycles for most of the Dracunculus spp. infecting otters are unknown. Studies on the diversity, life cycle, and natural history of Dracunculidae parasites in wildlife are important because the related parasite, D. medinensis (human Guinea worm) is the subject of an international eradication campaign and there are increasing reports of these parasites in new geographic locations and new hosts, including new species in humans and domestic dogs.

Management of corneal epithelial defects in a population of mature chuck-will's-widows (Antrostomus carolinensis) in South Florida.

PURPOSE: To describe ocular clinical findings, gross/histopathologic findings, and treatment regimens in a series of migratory chuck-will's-widows (Antrostomus carolinensis) (CWW) with corneal epithelial defects. METHODS: Seven CWW were presented to the South Florida Wildlife Center (SFWC). Four presented with bilateral (OU) corneal ulceration; two developed corneal ulceration OU; one had no ocular lesions. Treatment protocols for patients with corneal ulcers included the following: medical therapy only or medical therapy combined with an additional procedure. Four patients including the bird with no ocular lesions were euthanized, and one patient died. Their globes were submitted for histopathology. Two patients were released. RESULTS: Clinical findings prior to enucleation included superficial corneal ulceration with redundant epithelium persisting weeks to >1 month. On histopathology, epithelium in nonulcerated globes was remarkably thin; this was considered normal. Common histopathologic findings of ulcerated globes revealed epithelial and conjunctival attenuation with an acellular superficial stromal layer and hypercellular mid-stromal layer. One globe healed with medical therapy and cotton tip applicator debridement. Four globes healed by combination of medical therapy, equine amnion, nictitating membrane (NM) flap, and temporary tarsorrhaphy. No globes healed with diamond burr debridement or grid keratotomy. CONCLUSIONS: Factors that may be contributing to these corneal epithelial defects include, but are not limited to, normally thin epithelium, exposure keratopathy, neurotrophic disease, epithelial turnover and inadequate stem cell recruitment, inherited/genetic causes, and unidentified infectious agents (eg, viral etiologies). Of the 12 eyes treated, one healed with medical therapy/cotton tip applicator debridement, and four healed with medical therapy/equine amnion/nictitating membrane flap/temporary tarsorrhaphy.

IDENTIFICATION OF HELODERMATID ADENOVIRUS 2 IN A CAPTIVE CENTRAL BEARDED DRAGON (POGONA VITTICEPS), WILD GILA MONSTERS (HELODERMA SUSPECTUM), AND A DEATH ADDER (ACANTHOPHIS ANTARCTICUS).

Adenoviruses are medium-sized DNA viruses with very high host fidelity. The phylogenetic relationships of the adenoviruses strongly resemble that of their hosts, consistent with evolutionary codivergence. The genus Atadenovirus appears to have evolved in squamate hosts. Perhaps the best known of the squamate adenoviruses is Agamid adenovirus 1 (AgAdV1), found most commonly in central bearded dragons (Pogona vitticeps), where it is a prevalent cause of hepatitis/enteritis, especially in young animals. All previous reports of adenoviruses in bearded dragons were AgAdV1. Helodermatid adenovirus 2 (HeAdV2) was first seen in Mexican beaded lizards (Heloderma horridus). Subsequently, partial adenoviral polymerase gene sequence from a western bearded dragon (Pogona minor) in Australia was found to share 99% nucleotide homology with HeAdV2. This article reports the discovery of a virus identical to HeAdV2 in a captive central bearded dragon in Florida and wild Gila monsters (Heloderma suspectum) in Arizona. Additionally, a partial adenoviral polymerase gene sharing 98% homology with this HeAdV2 was discovered in a death adder (Acanthophis antarcticus) in Australia. These findings call into question the provenance of HeAdV2. Further studies of atadenoviral host range, diversity of adenoviruses in captive animals, and characterization of adenoviruses from wild squamates are indicated.

Coinfection with a novel fibropapilloma-associated herpesvirus and a novel Spirorchis sp. in an eastern box turtle (Terrapene carolina) in Florida.

Herpesviruses are important pathogens of chelonians, and include Chelonid herpesvirus 5, which is associated with fibropapillomatosis in sea turtles. Spirorchid trematodes are blood flukes that reside within the cardiovascular system of marine turtles and may be associated with severe disease. An eastern box turtle (Terrapene carolina) at the South Florida Wildlife Care Center (Fort Lauderdale, Florida) was presented to the facility with papillomatous growths behind both rear legs. Surgical removal resulted in remission for 8 months; however, lesions recurred, prompting a second surgery and acyclovir therapy. Surgical biopsies revealed subacute superficial inflammation associated with the supporting stroma of the cutaneous papillomas and granulomas within the superficial dermis containing fragmented and collapsed brown trematode eggs surrounded by multinucleated giant cells and epithelioid macrophages. Pan-herpesviral and pan-trematode consensus polymerase chain reaction and sequencing were run on tissue samples. Comparative sequence analysis revealed a novel alphaherpesvirus and a novel trematode in the genus Spirorchis. The animal became anorexic and was euthanized due to poor quality of life. While we do not yet have a complete understanding of the effects of herpesvirus and trematode infections in eastern box turtles, the findings thus presented provide initial insights into the disease relationships among these chelonians.

Evaluation of the usefulness of an ELISA and protein electrophoresis in the diagnosis of Encephalitozoon cuniculi infection in rabbits.

OBJECTIVE-To evaluate the usefulness of an antibody detection ELISA and protein electrophoresis (PE) for diagnosing Encephalitozoon cuniculi (ECUN) infection in pet rabbits. ANIMALS-203 pet rabbits. PROCEDURES-Serum and plasma samples from pet rabbits were submitted from veterinary clinics within the United States. Participating veterinarians completed a questionnaire that was used to classify rabbits as clinically normal (n=33), suspected of having an ECUN infection (103), or clinically abnormal but not suspected of having an ECUN infection (67). An ELISA for detection of serum or plasma IgG against ECUN was developed by use of commercially available reagents. Results of the ELISA and PE were used to detect ECUN infection. RESULTS-A high seroprevalence of antibody against ECUN was detected in all 3 groups of rabbits. In rabbits suspected of having an ECUN infection, the mean IgG titer was 1.7 times as high as the values in the other rabbit groups. Rabbits suspected of having an ECUN infection and those that were simply clinically abnormal had a higher concentration of gamma-globulins than clinically normal rabbits. This increase in globulins concentration was accompanied by a decrease in the albumin-to-globulin ratio. Results of the ELISA and PE were significantly different between clinically normal rabbits and those suspected of having an ECUN infection. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE-The combination of an ELISA and PE may aid in the diagnosis of ECUN infection in pet rabbits. IMPACT FOR HUMAN MEDICINE-Because ECUN is a potential zoonotic agent, diagnostic methods for pet rabbits need to be improved to protect human health.