1
|
DETERMINATION OF SPECIFIC ENTEROPATHOGEN PRESENCE IN CAPTIVE CHEETAHS ( ACINONYX JUBATUS) FED VARIOUS DIETS USING FLUORESCENCE IN SITU HYBRIDIZATION. J Zoo Wildl Med 2023; 53:744-754. [PMID: 36640076 DOI: 10.1638/2022-0023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/07/2022] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Chronic enteropathies pose an important difficulty in the captive management of cheetahs (Acinonyx jubatus) because of suspected multifactorial pathogenesis and the complex nature of enteric microbiota dynamics. Enterobacteriaceae, Campylobacter spp., Clostridium perfringens, Helicobacter spp., and Salmonella spp. are enteropathogens of interest because of their zoonotic potential and suspected contribution to enteropathies. This study aimed to determine the presence of these enteropathogens of interest in fecal samples from cheetahs (N = 48) fed different diets from three different institutions and to investigate the associations between diet, fecal score, and specific enteropathogen presence. Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) with rRNA-targeted oligonucleotide probes were used to visualize and quantify putative enteropathogens in each sample concurrent with selective culturing for Salmonella and Clostridium perfringens. From FISH counts, carcass-fed animals had greater numbers of Enterobacteriaceae compared with animals fed low-fat dog food, although this trend was not statistically significant (P = 0.088). Furthermore, no significant associations were found between fecal score and bacterial load. Abundance of Campylobacter spp., Clostridium perfringens, or Helicobacter spp. as measured by FISH were not correlated with diet or fecal score. On the basis of these data, in agreement with published literature, it is concluded that these microbes may be commensals in the cheetah gastrointestinal tract and do not appear to be a primary cause of abnormal fecal scores.
Collapse
|
2
|
Mangiaterra S, Schmidt-Küntzel A, Marker L, Di Cerbo A, Piccinini R, Guadagnini D, Turba ME, Berardi S, Galosi L, Preziuso S, Cerquetella M, Rossi G. Effect of a Probiotic Mixture in Captive Cheetahs (Acinonyx Jubatus) with Gastrointestinal Symptoms—A Pilot Study. Animals (Basel) 2022; 12:ani12030395. [PMID: 35158716 PMCID: PMC8833592 DOI: 10.3390/ani12030395] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2021] [Revised: 01/26/2022] [Accepted: 02/02/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary In recent years, many studies have demonstrated the effectiveness of probiotics in acute and chronic gastrointestinal disorders in both humans and animals. The objective of this study is to evaluate the effect of a specific probiotic mixture in cheetahs. In the wild, cheetah populations have drastically reduced due to habitat destruction, human–wildlife conflict and illegal wildlife trade. In captivity, chronic gastrointestinal diseases have a high prevalence. Based on our results, it can be concluded that probiotics may be helpful as a dietary supplement in cheetahs suffering from gastrointestinal disease. Abstract Cheetahs (Acinonyx jubatus) are classified as “vulnerable” species due to the low numbers persisting in the wild. Gastrointestinal diseases are very common in this species when they are kept in captivity, in particular gastritis. Clinical signs are predominantly characterized by vomiting, diarrhea, weight loss and anorexia. In this study, we evaluated the efficacy of a multi-strain probiotic in two groups of cheetahs: Group A (n = 4)—rescued cheetahs housed at the Cheetah Conservation Fund (Otjiwarongo, Namibia); Group B (n = 9)—captive cheetahs housed in Italian zoos. Animals showed gastrointestinal signs of different severity, and were positive for Helicobacter spp., detected by PCR in stool samples. Two sachets of probiotic formulation were administered to all cheetahs once a day for 21 consecutive days. Clinical conditions (appetite loss, vomiting, stool consistency and Body Condition Score) before (T0) and after 21 days of probiotic administration (T1) were then compared using a simplified Feline Chronic Enteropathy Activity Index (FCEAI) score. A slight but not significant improvement in the scores was observed in Group A, which had mild intestinal symptoms, while a significant decrease in vomiting and stool consistency (**p < 0.01) scores was observed in Group B, which had more pronounced symptoms. Results suggest that high concentrations of live probiotics can be of help in managing gastrointestinal signs in cheetahs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sara Mangiaterra
- School of Biosciences and Veterinary Medicine, University of Camerino, 62024 Matelica, MC, Italy; (A.D.C.); (L.G.); (S.P.); (M.C.); (G.R.)
- Correspondence:
| | | | - Laurie Marker
- Cheetah Conservation Fund, Otjiwarongo 9000, Namibia; (A.S.-K.); (L.M.)
| | - Alessandro Di Cerbo
- School of Biosciences and Veterinary Medicine, University of Camerino, 62024 Matelica, MC, Italy; (A.D.C.); (L.G.); (S.P.); (M.C.); (G.R.)
| | | | | | | | - Sara Berardi
- DVM Freelance Consultant, 62100 Macerata, MC, Italy;
| | - Livio Galosi
- School of Biosciences and Veterinary Medicine, University of Camerino, 62024 Matelica, MC, Italy; (A.D.C.); (L.G.); (S.P.); (M.C.); (G.R.)
| | - Silvia Preziuso
- School of Biosciences and Veterinary Medicine, University of Camerino, 62024 Matelica, MC, Italy; (A.D.C.); (L.G.); (S.P.); (M.C.); (G.R.)
| | - Matteo Cerquetella
- School of Biosciences and Veterinary Medicine, University of Camerino, 62024 Matelica, MC, Italy; (A.D.C.); (L.G.); (S.P.); (M.C.); (G.R.)
| | - Giacomo Rossi
- School of Biosciences and Veterinary Medicine, University of Camerino, 62024 Matelica, MC, Italy; (A.D.C.); (L.G.); (S.P.); (M.C.); (G.R.)
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
BIOMARKERS OF GASTROINTESTINAL DISEASE IN CHEETAHS ( ACINONYX JUBATUS). J Zoo Wildl Med 2021; 52:886-892. [PMID: 34687504 DOI: 10.1638/2021-0012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/03/2021] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Gastrointestinal disease is a common clinical problem in captive cheetahs (Acinonyx jubatus). It is reported that gastritis affects the vast majority of the captive population of cheetahs. Pancreatitis and acute and chronic enteritis have also been reported. These issues pose significant long-term health and welfare implications for cheetahs. Cobalamin, folate, methylmalonic acid (MMA), gastrin, feline pancreatic-specific lipase immunoreactivity (fPLI), and feline trypsin-like immunoreactivity (fTLI) immunoassays are important biomarkers of gastrointestinal disease in domestic cats. The goal of this study was to determine if these immunoassays validated in domestic cats could be used clinically in cheetahs, by establishing reference intervals (RI) for these biomarkers in cheetahs. A cohort of 40 clinically healthy cheetahs was selected from three zoological institutions on the basis of being free of clinical gastrointestinal disease and extra-gastrointestinal disease that could affect biomarkers, as well as having banked frozen serum. Cheetah biomarker RI, with domestic cat RI for comparison in parentheses, are as follows: cobalamin 470-618 pg/ml (290-1500 pg/ml), folate 2.2-15.7 ng/ml (9.7-21.6 ng/ml), MMA 365-450 nM/L (139-897 nM/L), fPLI 0.5-1.2 µg/L (0-4 µg/L), and gastrin 30-50 pg/ml (<10-39.5 pg/ml). This study shows that RI for gastrointestinal biomarkers can be notably different, even between species that are as closely related as the domestic cat and the cheetah. Additionally, it was found that the fTLI assay does not cross-immunoreact with cheetahs. In conclusion, this study emphasizes the importance of developing species-specific RI for biomarker assays and using caution when extrapolating RI from other species.
Collapse
|
4
|
Braud C, Mitchell EP, Van der Merwe V, Tordiffe ASW. A veterinary survey of factors associated with capture-related mortalities in cheetahs (Acinonyx jubatus). J S Afr Vet Assoc 2019; 90:e1-e7. [PMID: 31368316 PMCID: PMC6676931 DOI: 10.4102/jsava.v90i0.1723] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2018] [Revised: 05/15/2019] [Accepted: 05/17/2019] [Indexed: 11/01/2022] Open
Abstract
The objective of this study was to gain better insight into factors associated with the capture-related mortality rate in cheetahs. A link to an online questionnaire was sent to zoo and wildlife veterinarians through the Species Survival Plan Programme and European Endangered Species Programme coordinators and via the 'Wildlife VetNet' Google group forum. The questionnaire consisted of 50 questions relating to the veterinarians' country of residence and experience, the medicine combinations used, standard monitoring procedures, capture-related complications and mortalities experienced in this species under different capture conditions. In addition, necropsy data from the national wildlife disease database of the National Zoological Gardens of South Africa were examined for cases where anaesthetic death was listed as the cause of death in cheetahs. A total of 75 veterinarians completed the survey, with 38 from African countries and a combined total of 37 from Europe, the United States (US) and Asia. Of these, 24% (n = 18/75) had experienced at least one capture-associated cheetah mortality, with almost all of the fatalities (29/30) reported by veterinarians working in Africa. A lack of anaesthetic monitoring and the absence of supplemental oxygen were shown to be significant risk factors for mortality. Hyperthermia, likely to be associated with capture stress, was the most common reported complication (35%). The results suggest that free-ranging rather than habituated captive cheetahs are particularly at risk of dying during immobilisation and transport. The capture-related fatalities in this species do not appear to be associated with either the veterinarian's level of clinical experience or the immobilisation agents used.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Cindy Braud
- Centre de Coopération Internationale en Recherche Agronomique pour le Développement (CIRAD), UMR ASTRE, Campus International de Baillarguet, Montpellier.
| | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
5
|
BENIGN IDIOPATHIC ESOPHAGEAL STRICTURE IN A LION ( PANTHERA LEO): DILATION BY AN ACHALASIA BALLOON. J Zoo Wildl Med 2018. [PMID: 29517433 DOI: 10.1638/2017-0055r1.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
A 1-yr old female lion ( Panthera leo) was referred with a 10-mo history of dysphagia for solid food (meat), episodic regurgitation, and poor weight gain. Esophagoscopy confirmed an esophagitis (midesophagus) and a stricture estimated to be of 13 mm diameter. This was subsequently dilated using a 20-mm-diameter balloon for 2 min followed by a 35-mm achalasia balloon for 3 min. The etiology remains undetermined in spite of a thorough history. The animal progressed satisfactorily, reaching 124 kg after 1 yr and has had no further signs. To the authors' knowledge, neither idiopathic esophageal stricture nor dilation using an achalasia balloon has been reported in Panthera spp.
Collapse
|
6
|
Terio KA, Mitchell E, Walzer C, Schmidt-Küntzel A, Marker L, Citino S. Diseases Impacting Captive and Free-Ranging Cheetahs. CHEETAHS: BIOLOGY AND CONSERVATION 2018. [PMCID: PMC7148644 DOI: 10.1016/b978-0-12-804088-1.00025-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
|
7
|
Mitchell HM, Rocha GA, Kaakoush NO, O’Rourke JL, Queiroz DMM. The Family Helicobacteraceae. THE PROKARYOTES 2014:337-392. [DOI: 10.1007/978-3-642-39044-9_275] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/02/2025]
|
8
|
Rogers AB. Gastric Helicobacter spp. in animal models: pathogenesis and modulation by extragastric coinfections. Methods Mol Biol 2012; 921:175-188. [PMID: 23015504 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-62703-005-2_21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
Animal models are used to study complex host, microbial, and environmental influences associated with gastric Helicobacter infection. Evidence that gastric helicobacters are pathogenic in animals first came from ferrets. Felids, nonhuman primates, and many other species also harbor stomach helicobacters. Today, mice are preferred by most researchers for scientific investigation because of cost-efficiencies, rapid reproduction, choice of laboratory reagents, and availability of genetically engineered models. Infection with Helicobacter felis or H. pylori Sydney strain-1 in appropriate mouse strains produces disease with remarkable similarities to H. pylori in humans. Due to recent advances in genetic engineering, in vivo imaging, and system-wide genomics and proteomics, these models will become even more widespread in the future. Recently, it has been shown that extragastric infections can dramatically affect the severity of disease induced by gastric Helicobacter spp. through heterologous immunity. These models provide proof-of-principle for the "African enigma" wherein gastric cancer is underrepresented in low-lying tropical countries with concurrently high H. pylori and internal parasite prevalence. Helicobacter gastritis and carcinogenesis in mouse models may be augmented or ameliorated by other infectious agents depending on the character of the invoked immune response. Knowledge gained from the Human Microbiome Project and other investigations is certain to shed new light on the influence of extragastric bacterial, viral, fungal, and parasitic coinfections on H. pylori-associated peptic ulcer disease and gastric adenocarcinoma.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Arlin B Rogers
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center and Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Lane EP, Miller S, Lobetti R, Caldwell P, Bertschinger HJ, Burroughs R, Kotze A, van Dyk A. Effect of diet on the incidence of and mortality owing to gastritis and renal disease in captive cheetahs (Acinonyx jubatus) in South Africa. Zoo Biol 2011; 31:669-82. [PMID: 22083933 DOI: 10.1002/zoo.20431] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2010] [Revised: 09/30/2011] [Accepted: 10/04/2011] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
Seventy-two adult cheetahs were evaluated for the degree of gastritis by endoscopic biopsy and for renal disease by serum creatinine. Cheetahs free of Grade 3 gastritis and renal disease were placed on Trial A; remaining cheetahs were placed on Trial B, which ran concurrently. All cheetahs were monitored for 4 years. Cheetahs exited Trial A and entered Trial B if they developed Grade 3 gastritis or renal disease. Cheetahs exited Trial B if they developed clinical gastritis or renal disease that required a dietary change or aggressive medical therapy or died owing to either disease. Cheetahs on Trial A were fed either a supplemented meat diet (N = 26) or commercial cat food (N = 22). Cheetahs on Trial B were fed either the same meat diet (N = 28) or a commercial dry cat food formulated for renal disease (N = 16). Cheetahs fed meat on Trial A had a daily hazard of developing Grade 3 gastritis 2.21 times higher (95% CI 0.95-5.15) than cheetahs fed commercial cat food. This hazard was not statistically significant (P = 0.07). Mean gastritis scores were not significantly different between the two groups. Cheetahs fed commercial cat food in both Trials had lower serum urea levels and higher creatinine levels than those fed meat. Evidence for the effect of diet in cheetahs with gastritis and/or renal disease (Trial B) was inconclusive. The number of cheetahs dying of gastritis or renal disease at the facility has dropped markedly since the study began. These results indicate that diet may play an important role in the incidence of Grade 3 gastritis and that dietary and/or therapeutic management of gastritis may reduce mortality owing to gastritis and renal disease in captive cheetahs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- E P Lane
- Research and Scientific Services, National Zoological Gardens of South Africa, Pretoria, South Africa.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
10
|
Characterization of the Gastric Immune Response in Cheetahs (Acinonyx jubatus) With Helicobacter-Associated Gastritis. Vet Pathol 2011; 49:824-33. [DOI: 10.1177/0300985811412620] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
Captive cheetahs have an unusually severe progressive gastritis that is not present in wild cheetahs infected with the same strains of Helicobacter. This gastritis, when severe, has florid lymphocyte and plasma cell infiltrates in the epithelium and lamina propria with gland destruction, parietal cell loss, and, in some cases, lymphoid follicles. The local gastric immune response was characterized by immunohistochemistry in 21 cheetahs with varying degrees of gastritis. The character of the response was similar among types of gastritis except that cheetahs with severe gastritis had increased numbers (up to 70%) of lamina proprial CD79a+CD21– B cells. CD3+CD4+ T cells were present in the lamina propria, and CD3+CD8α+ T cells were within the glandular epithelium. Lymphoid aggregates had follicular differentiation with a central core of CD79a+/CD45R+ B cells and with an outer zone of CD3+ T cells that expressed both CD4 and CD8 antigens. MHC II antigens were diffusely expressed throughout the glandular and superficial epithelium. No cheetah had evidence of autoantibodies against the gastric mucosa when gastric samples from 30 cheetahs with different degrees of gastritis were incubated with autologous and heterologous serum. These findings indicate that T-cell distribution in cheetahs is qualitatively similar to that in other species infected with Helicobacter but that large numbers of lamina propria activated B cells and plasma cells did distinguish cheetahs with severe gastritis. Further research is needed to determine whether alterations in the Th1:Th2 balance are the cause of this more plasmacytic response in some cheetahs.
Collapse
|
11
|
Abstract
A 7-mo-old female cougar (Puma concolor) was presented with a 2-wk history of anorexia and a 1-wk history of regurgitation. Barium contrast esophagogram and gastroesophagoscopy revealed the presence of a segmental intraluminal esophageal stricture in the middle third of the esophagus. The stricture was potentially secondary to a previous anesthetic episode. Three endoscopic balloon dilations allowed increasing the luminal diameter to a size that enabled the cougar to eat food softened with water without any signs of discomfort or regurgitation. Two months after being discharged, the cougar was doing well, had gained weight and was eating horsemeat softened with water.
Collapse
|