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Camacho-Sillero L, Cardoso B, Beato-Benítez A, Gómez-Guillamón F, Díaz-Cao JM, Jiménez-Martín D, Caballero-Gómez J, Castro-Scholten S, Cano-Terriza D, García-Bocanegra I. Spatiotemporal monitoring of myxomatosis in European wild rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) in Spanish Mediterranean ecosystems. Transbound Emerg Dis 2022; 69:3494-3505. [PMID: 36150087 DOI: 10.1111/tbed.14709] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2022] [Revised: 09/01/2022] [Accepted: 09/14/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
A long-term active epidemiological surveillance programme was conducted to determine seroprevalence to myxoma virus (MYXV), infection prevalence and spatiotemporal patterns and factors associated with MYXV circulation in wild rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) in Spanish Mediterranean ecosystems. A total of 2376 animals were sampled over four study periods: 2009-2012 (P1), 2012-2015 (P2), 2015-2018 (P3) and 2018-2021 (P4). Antibodies against MYXV were detected by a commercial indirect ELISA in 59.9% (1424/2376; 95% CI: 58.0-61.9) of wild rabbits. At least one seropositive animal was detected on 131 (96.3%) of 136 game estates sampled. MYXV infection was confirmed by PCR in 94 of 1063 (8.8%; 95% CI: 7.3-10.7) wild rabbits. Circulation of the novel recombinant MYXV (ha-MYXV) was not found in wild rabbits analysed during P4. Five statistically significant spatiotemporal clusters of high MYXV seroprevalence were identified using a Bernoulli model: one in P2 and four in P3. A generalized linear mixed model (GLMM) analysis identified sampling season (autumn), age (adult and juvenile), outbreaks of myxomatosis in the month prior to sampling, mean annual temperature, humidity and seropositivity to rabbit haemorrhagic disease virus as factors potentially linked with MYXV seropositivity. GLMM analysis identified outbreaks of myxomatosis in the month prior to sampling, MYXV seropositivity and presence of lesions compatible with myxomatosis as factors associated with MYXV infection. The results indicate high exposure, widespread but non-homogeneous distribution, and endemic circulation of MYXV in wild rabbit populations in southern Spain during the last decade. Prevalence of antibodies against MYXV showed fluctuations both within the year and over the study periods, revealing variations in the immunity of wild rabbit populations in Mediterranean ecosystems that could increase the risk of MYXV re-emergence in immunologically naïve populations. The present study highlights the importance of long-term surveillance to better understand the epidemiology of MYXV in wild lagomorphs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leonor Camacho-Sillero
- Programa Vigilancia Epidemiológica Fauna Silvestre (PVE), Consejería de Sostenibilidad, Medio Ambiente y Economía Azul, Junta de Andalucía, Málaga, Málaga, Spain
| | - Beatriz Cardoso
- Health & Biotechnology (SaBio) Group, Instituto de Investigación en Recursos Cinegéticos (CSIC-UCLM-JCCM), Ciudad Real, Spain.,CIBIO/InBio, Centro de Investigação em Biodiversidade e Recursos Genéticos, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Adrián Beato-Benítez
- Departamento de Sanidad Animal, Grupo de Investigación en Sanidad Animal y Zoonosis (GISAZ), UIC Zoonosis y Enfermedades Emergentes ENZOEM, Universidad de Córdoba, Córdoba, Spain
| | - Félix Gómez-Guillamón
- Programa Vigilancia Epidemiológica Fauna Silvestre (PVE), Consejería de Sostenibilidad, Medio Ambiente y Economía Azul, Junta de Andalucía, Málaga, Málaga, Spain
| | - José M Díaz-Cao
- Departamento de Patoloxía Animal (INVESAGA Group), Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, Lugo, Spain
| | - Débora Jiménez-Martín
- Departamento de Sanidad Animal, Grupo de Investigación en Sanidad Animal y Zoonosis (GISAZ), UIC Zoonosis y Enfermedades Emergentes ENZOEM, Universidad de Córdoba, Córdoba, Spain
| | - Javier Caballero-Gómez
- Departamento de Sanidad Animal, Grupo de Investigación en Sanidad Animal y Zoonosis (GISAZ), UIC Zoonosis y Enfermedades Emergentes ENZOEM, Universidad de Córdoba, Córdoba, Spain.,CIBERINFEC, ISCIII - CIBER de Enfermedades Infecciosas, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain.,Unidad de Enfermedades Infecciosas, Grupo de Virología Clínica y Zoonosis, Instituto Maimónides de Investigación Biomédica de Córdoba (IMIBIC), Hospital Reina Sofía, Universidad de Córdoba (UCO), Córdoba, Spain
| | - Sabrina Castro-Scholten
- Departamento de Sanidad Animal, Grupo de Investigación en Sanidad Animal y Zoonosis (GISAZ), UIC Zoonosis y Enfermedades Emergentes ENZOEM, Universidad de Córdoba, Córdoba, Spain.,CIBERINFEC, ISCIII - CIBER de Enfermedades Infecciosas, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - David Cano-Terriza
- Departamento de Sanidad Animal, Grupo de Investigación en Sanidad Animal y Zoonosis (GISAZ), UIC Zoonosis y Enfermedades Emergentes ENZOEM, Universidad de Córdoba, Córdoba, Spain.,CIBERINFEC, ISCIII - CIBER de Enfermedades Infecciosas, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Ignacio García-Bocanegra
- Departamento de Sanidad Animal, Grupo de Investigación en Sanidad Animal y Zoonosis (GISAZ), UIC Zoonosis y Enfermedades Emergentes ENZOEM, Universidad de Córdoba, Córdoba, Spain.,CIBERINFEC, ISCIII - CIBER de Enfermedades Infecciosas, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
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Schwensow N, Pederson S, Peacock D, Cooke B, Cassey P. Adaptive changes in the genomes of wild rabbits after 16 years of viral epidemics. Mol Ecol 2020; 29:3777-3794. [PMID: 32506669 DOI: 10.1111/mec.15498] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2018] [Revised: 05/20/2020] [Accepted: 05/29/2020] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Since its introduction to control overabundant invasive European rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus), the highly virulent rabbit haemorrhagic disease virus (RHDV) has caused regular annual disease outbreaks in Australian rabbit populations. Although initially reducing rabbit abundance by 60%, continent-wide, experimental evidence has since indicated increased genetic resistance in wild rabbits that have experienced RHDV-driven selection. To identify genetic adaptations, which explain the increased resistance to this biocontrol virus, we investigated genome-wide SNP (single nucleotide polymorphism) allele frequency changes in a South Australian rabbit population that was sampled in 1996 (pre-RHD genomes) and after 16 years of RHDV outbreaks. We identified several SNPs with changed allele frequencies within or close to genes potentially important for increased RHD resistance. The identified genes are known to be involved in virus infections and immune reactions or had previously been identified as being differentially expressed in healthy versus acutely RHDV-infected rabbits. Furthermore, we show in a simulation study that the allele/genotype frequency changes cannot be explained by drift alone and that several candidate genes had also been identified as being associated with surviving RHD in a different Australian rabbit population. Our unique data set allowed us to identify candidate genes for RHDV resistance that have evolved under natural conditions, and over a time span that would not have been feasible in an experimental setting. Moreover, it provides a rare example of host genetic adaptations to virus-driven selection in response to a suddenly emerging infectious disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nina Schwensow
- Institute of Evolutionary Ecology and Conservation Genomics, University of Ulm, Ulm, Germany.,Centre for Applied Conservation Science, and School of Biological Sciences, University of Adelaide, SA, Australia
| | - Stephen Pederson
- Bioinformatics Hub, School of Biological Sciences, University of Adelaide, SA, Australia
| | - David Peacock
- Biosecurity SA, Adelaide, SA, Australia.,School of Animal and Veterinary Science, University of Adelaide, Roseworthy, SA, Australia
| | - Brian Cooke
- Institute for Applied Ecology, University of Canberra, Canberra, ACT, Australia
| | - Phillip Cassey
- Centre for Applied Conservation Science, and School of Biological Sciences, University of Adelaide, SA, Australia
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Carvalho CL, Abade dos Santos FA, Fagulha T, Carvalho P, Mendonça P, Monteiro M, Dias Duarte M. Myxoma virus and rabbit haemorrhagic disease virus 2 coinfection in a European wild rabbit (
Oryctolagus cuniculus algirus
), Portugal. Vet rec case rep 2020. [DOI: 10.1136/vetreccr-2019-001002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Carina Luisa Carvalho
- Instituto Nacional de Investigação Agrária e veterinária (INIAV)Av. da República, Quinta do Marquês (edíficio sede)OeirasPortugal
| | - Fábio Alexandre Abade dos Santos
- Instituto Nacional de Investigação Agrária e veterinária (INIAV)Av. da República, Quinta do Marquês (edíficio sede)OeirasPortugal
- CIISAFaculdade de Medicina VeterináriaUniversidade de LisboaAvenida da Universidade TécnicaLisboaPortugal
| | - Teresa Fagulha
- Instituto Nacional de Investigação Agrária e veterinária (INIAV)Av. da República, Quinta do Marquês (edíficio sede)OeirasPortugal
| | - Paulo Carvalho
- Instituto Nacional de Investigação Agrária e veterinária (INIAV)Av. da República, Quinta do Marquês (edíficio sede)OeirasPortugal
| | - Paula Mendonça
- Instituto Nacional de Investigação Agrária e veterinária (INIAV)Av. da República, Quinta do Marquês (edíficio sede)OeirasPortugal
| | - Madalena Monteiro
- Instituto Nacional de Investigação Agrária e veterinária (INIAV)Av. da República, Quinta do Marquês (edíficio sede)OeirasPortugal
| | - Margarida Dias Duarte
- Instituto Nacional de Investigação Agrária e veterinária (INIAV)Av. da República, Quinta do Marquês (edíficio sede)OeirasPortugal
- CIISAFaculdade de Medicina VeterináriaUniversidade de LisboaAvenida da Universidade TécnicaLisboaPortugal
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Villafuerte R, Castro F, Ramírez E, Cotilla I, Parra F, Delibes-Mateos M, Recuerda P, Rouco C. Large-scale assessment of myxomatosis prevalence in European wild rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) 60 years after first outbreak in Spain. Res Vet Sci 2017; 114:281-286. [DOI: 10.1016/j.rvsc.2017.05.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2016] [Revised: 05/06/2017] [Accepted: 05/10/2017] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
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Hellard E, Pontier D, Sauvage F, Poulet H, Fouchet D. True versus false parasite interactions: a robust method to take risk factors into account and its application to feline viruses. PLoS One 2012; 7:e29618. [PMID: 22235312 PMCID: PMC3250451 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0029618] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2011] [Accepted: 12/01/2011] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Multiple infections are common in natural host populations and interspecific parasite interactions are therefore likely within a host individual. As they may seriously impact the circulation of certain parasites and the emergence and management of infectious diseases, their study is essential. In the field, detecting parasite interactions is rendered difficult by the fact that a large number of co-infected individuals may also be observed when two parasites share common risk factors. To correct for these “false interactions”, methods accounting for parasite risk factors must be used. Methodology/Principal Findings In the present paper we propose such a method for presence-absence data (i.e., serology). Our method enables the calculation of the expected frequencies of single and double infected individuals under the independence hypothesis, before comparing them to the observed ones using the chi-square statistic. The method is termed “the corrected chi-square.” Its robustness was compared to a pre-existing method based on logistic regression and the corrected chi-square proved to be much more robust for small sample sizes. Since the logistic regression approach is easier to implement, we propose as a rule of thumb to use the latter when the ratio between the sample size and the number of parameters is above ten. Applied to serological data for four viruses infecting cats, the approach revealed pairwise interactions between the Feline Herpesvirus, Parvovirus and Calicivirus, whereas the infection by FIV, the feline equivalent of HIV, did not modify the risk of infection by any of these viruses. Conclusions/Significance This work therefore points out possible interactions that can be further investigated in experimental conditions and, by providing a user-friendly R program and a tutorial example, offers new opportunities for animal and human epidemiologists to detect interactions of interest in the field, a crucial step in the challenge of multiple infections.
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García-Bocanegra I, Astorga RJ, Napp S, Huerta B, Carbonero A, Perea A, Arenas A. Factors affecting the seroprevalence of lagovirus infection in wild rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) in Southern Spain. Vet J 2010; 189:89-94. [PMID: 20643566 DOI: 10.1016/j.tvjl.2010.06.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2009] [Revised: 06/14/2010] [Accepted: 06/16/2010] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Cross-sectional studies were carried out on wild rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) populations in Southern Spain to assess the prevalence of lagovirus infection and to identify potentially associated risk factors. A total of 619 blood and 487 liver samples from wild rabbits were collected from seven hunting areas with different Mediterranean ecosystems. Logistic regression analysis was used to assess associations between seropositivity and an extensive set of variables. The seroprevalence was 29.2% (95% CI: 25.6-32.8) and lagoviruses were not detected in liver samples. Logistic regression indicated that seropositivity to lagoviruses was associated with seropositivity to myxomatosis, wild rabbit density, the existence of artificial feeding sites, mean maximum monthly temperatures of 20-30 °C, and annual accumulated rainfall of >600 mm.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ignacio García-Bocanegra
- Departamento de Sanidad Animal, Facultad de Veterinaria, UCO, Campus Universitarios de Rabanales, Apdo. 14071 Córdoba, Spain.
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Henzell RP, Cooke BD, Mutze GJ. The future biological control of pest populations of European rabbits, Oryctolagus cuniculus. Wildl Res 2008. [DOI: 10.1071/wr06164] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
European rabbits are exotic pests in Australia, New Zealand, parts of South America and Europe, and on many islands. Their abundance, and the damage they cause, might be reduced by the release of naturally occurring or genetically modified organisms (GMOs) that act as biological control agents (BCAs). Some promising pathogens and parasites of European rabbits and other lagomorphs are discussed, with special reference to those absent from Australia as an example of the range of necessary considerations in any given case. The possibility of introducing these already-known BCAs into areas where rabbits are pests warrants further investigation. The most cost-effective method for finding potentially useful but as-yet undiscovered BCAs would be to maintain a global watch on new diseases and pathologies in domestic rabbits. The absence of wild European rabbits from climatically suitable parts of North and South America and southern Africa may indicate the presence there of useful BCAs, although other explanations for their absence are possible. Until the non-target risks of deploying disseminating GMOs to control rabbits have been satisfactorily minimised, efforts to introduce BCAs into exotic rabbit populations should focus on naturally occurring organisms. The development of safe disseminating GMOs remains an important long-term goal, with the possible use of homing endonuclease genes warranting further investigation.
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