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Weyna AAW, Andreasen VA, Burrell CE, Kunkel MR, Radisic R, Goodwin CC, Fenton H, Dugovich BS, Poulson RL, Ruder MG, Yabsley MJ, Sanchez S, Nemeth NM. Causes of morbidity and mortality in wild cottontail rabbits in the eastern United States, 2013-2022. J Vet Diagn Invest 2024:10406387241259000. [PMID: 38853709 DOI: 10.1177/10406387241259000] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/11/2024] Open
Abstract
Interest in causes of mortality of free-ranging, native North American lagomorphs has grown with the emergence of rabbit hemorrhagic disease virus 2 (RHDV2). Over the years 2013-2022, the Southeastern Cooperative Wildlife Disease Study received 119 Sylvilagus spp. case submissions from the central and eastern United States, comprising 147 rabbits. Most (86%) of these submissions occurred after detecting RHDV2 in the United States in 2020. Laboratory data from these rabbits were retrospectively evaluated for major causes, contributors to mortality, and pathogen detections. Gross and histologic examination was performed for 112 rabbits. Common primary causes of death included trauma (n = 49), bacterial disease (n = 31), emaciation (n = 6), and parasitism (n = 6). Among the 32 rabbits with bacterial disease, 12 were diagnosed with tularemia and 7 with pasteurellosis. Rabbits with pasteurellosis had disseminated abscessation, septicemia, and/or polyserositis. Less commonly, cutaneous fibroma (n = 2), notoedric mange (n = 2), encephalitozoonosis (n = 2), neoplasia (round-cell sarcoma; n = 1), and congenital abnormalities (n = 1) were diagnosed. RHDV2 was not detected in 123 rabbits tested. Although RHDV2 has not been detected in wild lagomorphs in the eastern United States, detections in domestic rabbits from the region emphasize the need for continued surveillance. Furthermore, continued surveillance for Francisella tularensis informs public health risk. Overall, increased knowledge of Sylvilagus spp. health furthers our understanding of diseases affecting these important prey and game species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alisia A W Weyna
- Southeastern Cooperative Wildlife Disease Study, Department of Population Health, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA
| | - Victoria A Andreasen
- Southeastern Cooperative Wildlife Disease Study, Department of Population Health, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA
| | - Caitlin E Burrell
- Southeastern Cooperative Wildlife Disease Study, Department of Population Health, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA
| | - Melanie R Kunkel
- Southeastern Cooperative Wildlife Disease Study, Department of Population Health, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA
| | - Rebecca Radisic
- Southeastern Cooperative Wildlife Disease Study, Department of Population Health, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA
| | - Chloe C Goodwin
- Southeastern Cooperative Wildlife Disease Study, Department of Population Health, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA
- Department of Pathology, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA
| | - Heather Fenton
- Southeastern Cooperative Wildlife Disease Study, Department of Population Health, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA
| | - Brian S Dugovich
- Southeastern Cooperative Wildlife Disease Study, Department of Population Health, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA
| | - Rebecca L Poulson
- Southeastern Cooperative Wildlife Disease Study, Department of Population Health, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA
| | - Mark G Ruder
- Southeastern Cooperative Wildlife Disease Study, Department of Population Health, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA
| | - Michael J Yabsley
- Southeastern Cooperative Wildlife Disease Study, Department of Population Health, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA
- Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA
- Center for the Ecology of Infectious Diseases, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA
| | - Susan Sanchez
- Department of Infectious Diseases, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA
| | - Nicole M Nemeth
- Southeastern Cooperative Wildlife Disease Study, Department of Population Health, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA
- Department of Pathology, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA
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Hofmeister E, Clark E, Lund M, Grear D. Serologic Survey of Selected Arthropod-Borne Pathogens in Free-Ranging Snowshoe Hares (Lepus americanus) Captured in Northern Michigan, USA. J Wildl Dis 2024; 60:375-387. [PMID: 38345469 DOI: 10.7589/jwd-d-23-00009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2023] [Accepted: 11/14/2023] [Indexed: 04/06/2024]
Abstract
Snowshoe hares (Lepus americanus) in the Upper Peninsula (UP) of Michigan, USA, occupy the southern periphery of the species' range and are vulnerable to climate change. In the eastern UP, hares are isolated by the Great Lakes, potentially exacerbating exposure to climate-change-induced habitat alterations. Climate change is also measurably affecting distribution and prevalence of vector-borne pathogens in North America, and increases in disease occurrence and prevalence can be one signal of climate-stressed wildlife populations. We conducted a serosurvey for vector-borne pathogens in snowshoe hares that were captured in the Hiawatha National Forest in the eastern UP of Michigan, USA, 2016-2017. The most commonly detected antibody response was to the mosquito-borne California serogroup snowshoe hare virus (SSHV). Overall, 24 (51%) hares screened positive for SSHV antibodies and of these, 23 (96%) were confirmed positive by plaque reduction neutralization test. We found a positive association between seroprevalence of SSHV and live weight of snowshoe hares. Additionally, we detected a significant effect of ecological land type group on seroprevalence of SSHV, with strong positive support for a group representing areas that tend to support high numbers of hares (i.e., acidic mineral containing soils with cedar, mixed swamp conifers, tamarack and balsam fir as common overstory vegetation). We also detected and confirmed antibodies for Jamestown Canyon virus and Silverwater virus in a single hare each. We did not detect antibodies to other zoonotic vector-borne pathogens, including Lacrosse encephalitis virus, West Nile virus, Borrelia burgdorferi, Powassan virus, and Francisella tularensis. These results provide a baseline for future serological studies of vector-transmitted diseases that may increase climate vulnerability of snowshoe hares in the UP of Michigan, as well as pose a climate-related zoonotic risk.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erik Hofmeister
- US Geological Survey National Wildlife Health Center, 6006 Schroeder Road, Madison, WI 53711, USA
- These authors contributed equally to the study
| | - Eric Clark
- The Wildlife Program of the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians, 2428 Shunk Road, Sault Ste. Marie, MI 49783, USA
- Center for Cooperative Ecological Resilience, 480 Wilson Road, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA
- These authors contributed equally to the study
| | - Melissa Lund
- US Geological Survey National Wildlife Health Center, 6006 Schroeder Road, Madison, WI 53711, USA
| | - Daniel Grear
- US Geological Survey National Wildlife Health Center, 6006 Schroeder Road, Madison, WI 53711, USA
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White LM, Gifford SJ, Kaufman G, Gese E, Peyton MA, Parmenter RR, Cain JW. Seroprevalence, Blood Chemistry, and Patterns of Canine Parvovirus, Distemper Virus, Plague, and Tularemia in Free-Ranging Coyotes (Canis latrans) in Northern New Mexico, USA. J Wildl Dis 2024; 60:14-25. [PMID: 37889940 DOI: 10.7589/jwd-d-22-00079] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2022] [Accepted: 07/18/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023]
Abstract
Wildlife diseases have implications for ecology, conservation, human health, and health of domestic animals. They may impact wildlife health and population dynamics. Exposure rates of coyotes (Canis latrans) to pathogens such as Yersinia pestis, the cause of plague, may reflect prevalence rates in both rodent prey and human populations. We captured coyotes in north-central New Mexico during 2005-2008 and collected blood samples for serologic surveys. We tested for antibodies against canine distemper virus (CDV, Canine morbillivirus), canine parvovirus (CPV, Carnivore protoparvovirus), plague, tularemia (Francisella tularensis), and for canine heartworm (Dirofilaria immitis) antigen. Serum biochemistry variables that fell outside reference ranges were probably related to capture stress. We detected antibodies to parvovirus in 32/32 samples (100%), and to Y. pestis in 26/31 (84%). More than half 19/32 (59%) had antibodies against CDV, and 5/31 (39%) had antibodies against F. tularensis. We did not detect any heartworm antigens (n = 9). Pathogen prevalence was similar between sexes and among the three coyote packs in the study area. Parvovirus exposure appeared to happen early in life, and prevalence of antibodies against CDV increased with increasing age class. Exposure to Y. pestis and F. tularensis occurred across all age classes. The high coyote seroprevalence rates observed for CPV, Y. pestis, and CDV may indicate high prevalence in sympatric vertebrate populations, with implications for regional wildlife conservation as well as risk to humans via zoonotic transmission.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leah M White
- New Mexico State University, Department of Fish, Wildlife, and Conservation Ecology, PO Box 30003, MSC 4901, Las Cruces, New Mexico 88003, USA
| | - Suzanne J Gifford
- Department of Wildland Resources, Utah State University, Logan, Utah 84322, USA
- US Forest Service, 4389 US-4, Mendon, Vermont 05701, USA
| | - Gail Kaufman
- Consulting DVM, 8631 Groundsel RD NW, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87120, USA
| | - Eric Gese
- Department of Wildland Resources, Utah State University, Logan, Utah 84322, USA
- US Department of Agriculture, Wildlife Services, National Wildlife Research Center, Utah Field Station, Utah State University, Logan, Utah 83222, USA
| | - Mark A Peyton
- National Park Service, Valles Caldera National Preserve, PO Box 359, Jemez Springs, New Mexico 87025, USA
| | - Robert R Parmenter
- National Park Service, Valles Caldera National Preserve, PO Box 359, Jemez Springs, New Mexico 87025, USA
| | - James W Cain
- US Geological Survey, New Mexico Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, New Mexico State University, Department of Fish, Wildlife, and Conservation Ecology, PO Box 30003, MSC 4901, Las Cruces, New Mexico 88003, USA
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Kirby AM, Evans EP, Bishop SJ, Lloyd VK. Establishment and range expansion of Dermacentor variabilis in the northern Maritimes of Canada: Community participatory science documents establishment of an invasive tick species. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0292703. [PMID: 37831710 PMCID: PMC10575507 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0292703] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2023] [Accepted: 09/26/2023] [Indexed: 10/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Tick populations are dependent on a complex interplay of abiotic and biotic influences, many of which are influenced by anthropic factors including climate change. Dermacentor variabilis, the wood tick or American dog tick, is a hardy tick species that feeds from a wide range of mammals and birds that can transmit pathogens of medical and agricultural importance. Significant range expansion across North America has been occurring over the past decades;this study documents northwards range expansion in the Canadian Maritime provinces. Tick recoveries from passive surveillance between 2012 and 2021 were examined to assess northward population expansion through Atlantic Canada. At the beginning of this period, D. variabilis was abundant in the most southerly province, Nova Scotia, but was not considered established in the province to the north, New Brunswick. During the 10-year span covered by this study, an increasing number of locally acquired ticks were recovered in discrete foci, suggesting small established or establishing populations in southern and coastal New Brunswick. The pattern of population establishment follows the climate-driven establishment pattern of Ixodes scapularis to some extent but there is also evidence of successful seeding of disjunct populations in areas identified as sub-optimal for tick populations. Dogs were the most common host from which these ticks were recovered, which raises the possibility of human activity, via movement of companion animals, having a significant role in establishing new populations of this species. Dermacentor variabilis is a vector of several pathogens of medical and agricultural importance but is not considered to be a competent vector for Borrelia burgdorferi, the etiological agent of Lyme disease; our molecular analysis of a subset of D. variabilis for both B. burgdorferi and B. miyamotoi did not confirm any with Borrelia. This study spans the initial establishment of this tick species and documents the pattern of introduction, providing a relatively unique opportunity to examine the first stages of range expansion of a tick species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea M. Kirby
- Dept. Biology, Mount Allison University, Sackville, New Brunswick, Canada
| | - Ellis P. Evans
- Dept. Biology, Mount Allison University, Sackville, New Brunswick, Canada
| | - Samantha J. Bishop
- Dept. Biology, Mount Allison University, Sackville, New Brunswick, Canada
| | - Vett K. Lloyd
- Dept. Biology, Mount Allison University, Sackville, New Brunswick, Canada
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Crandall KE, Kerr JT, Millien V. Emerging Tick-Borne Pathogens in Central Canada: Recent Detections of Babesia odocoilei and Rickettsia rickettsii. Vector Borne Zoonotic Dis 2022; 22:535-544. [PMID: 36264197 DOI: 10.1089/vbz.2022.0036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: The spread of emerging tick-borne pathogens has steadily increased in Canada with the widespread establishment of tick vectors and vertebrate hosts. At present, Borrelia burgdorferi, the bacterium causing Lyme disease, is the most common tick-borne pathogen in Canada and primarily transmitted by Ixodes scapularis. A low prevalence of other emerging tick-borne pathogens, such as Anaplasma phagocytophilum, Babesia species, Borrelia miyamotoi, and Francisella tularensis have also been detected through surveillance efforts in Canada. Although Rickettsia rickettsii has been historically detected in Haemaphysalis leporispalustris in Canada, the current prevalence and geographic extent of this pathogen is unknown. Material and Methods: In this study, we assessed the presence and prevalence of several emerging tick-borne pathogens in ticks and hosts collected through tick dragging and small mammal trapping in Central Canada. Results: Nested PCR testing detected three pathogen species in ticks, with Babesia odocoilei and B. burgdorferi in I. scapularis in addition to R. rickettsii in H. leporispalustris. Three pathogen species were detected in small mammals by nested PCR including B. odocoilei in Blarina brevicauda, Babesia microti in Peromyscus leucopus, and a Hepatozoon species in P. leucopus and Peromyscus maniculatus. B. burgdorferi and Babesia species were the pathogens most often detected in our samples, suggesting they are widely distributed across Central Canada. We also detected B. odocoilei and R. rickettsii beyond their known geographic distribution. Conclusions: Our results provide evidence that emerging tick-borne pathogens may be present outside defined risk areas identified by current surveillance efforts in Canada. As a result, emerging tick-borne pathogens introduced by the dispersal of infected ticks by migratory birds or maintained by hosts and vectors through cryptic transmission cycles may go undetected. More comprehensive testing including all tick life stages and additional tick-borne pathogens will help detect the spread and potential risk of emerging or re-emerging tick-borne pathogens for human and wildlife populations throughout Canada.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kirsten E Crandall
- Department of Biology, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Canada.,Department of Biology, McGill University, Montréal, Canada.,Redpath Museum, McGill University, Montréal, Canada
| | - Jeremy T Kerr
- Department of Biology, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Canada
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Schlater SM, Ringenberg JM, Bickford N, Ranglack DH. WHITE-TAILED JACKRABBITS: A REVIEW AND CALL FOR RESEARCH. SOUTHWEST NAT 2021. [DOI: 10.1894/0038-4909-65.2.161] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Shannon M. Schlater
- University of Nebraska at Kearney, 2401 11th Avenue, Kearney, NE 68849 (SMS, JMR, NB, DHR)
| | - Jourdan M. Ringenberg
- University of Nebraska at Kearney, 2401 11th Avenue, Kearney, NE 68849 (SMS, JMR, NB, DHR)
| | - Nate Bickford
- University of Nebraska at Kearney, 2401 11th Avenue, Kearney, NE 68849 (SMS, JMR, NB, DHR)
| | - Dustin H. Ranglack
- University of Nebraska at Kearney, 2401 11th Avenue, Kearney, NE 68849 (SMS, JMR, NB, DHR)
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Kubelkova K, Macela A. Francisella and Antibodies. Microorganisms 2021; 9:microorganisms9102136. [PMID: 34683457 PMCID: PMC8538966 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms9102136] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2021] [Revised: 10/06/2021] [Accepted: 10/07/2021] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Immune responses to intracellular pathogens depend largely upon the activation of T helper type 1-dependent mechanisms. The contribution of B cells to establishing protective immunity has long been underestimated. Francisella tularensis, including a number of subspecies, provides a suitable model for the study of immune responses against intracellular bacterial pathogens. We previously demonstrated that Francisella infects B cells and activates B-cell subtypes to produce a number of cytokines and express the activation markers. Recently, we documented the early production of natural antibodies as a consequence of Francisella infection in mice. Here, we summarize current knowledge on the innate and acquired humoral immune responses initiated by Francisella infection and their relationships with the immune defense systems.
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Ganoe LS, Brown JD, Yabsley MJ, Lovallo MJ, Walter WD. A Review of Pathogens, Diseases, and Contaminants of Muskrats ( Ondatra zibethicus) in North America. Front Vet Sci 2020; 7:233. [PMID: 32478106 PMCID: PMC7242561 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2020.00233] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2020] [Accepted: 04/06/2020] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Over the last 50 years, significant muskrat (Ondatra zibethicus) harvest declines have been observed throughout North America. Several theories for the decline have been proposed, including increased parasite infections and disease within muskrat populations. No existing wholistic review of muskrat exposure to pathogens, contaminants, and diseases exists. To address this knowledge gap, we conducted a thorough review of existing literature on muskrat pathogens, contaminants, and diseases across their natural range. This review is comprised of 131 articles from 1915 to 2019 and from 27 U.S. states and 9 Canadian provinces. A wide diversity of contaminants, toxins, and pathogens were reported in muskrats, with the most common diseases being cysticercosis, tularemia, Tyzzer's disease, and biotoxin poisoning from cyanobacteria. This review provides a summary of muskrat pathogens, contaminants, and diseases over a century that has observed significant population declines throughout the species' range in North America. Such data provide a baseline for understanding the potential role of disease in these declines. In addition, these data highlight critical knowledge gaps that warrant future research efforts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laken S Ganoe
- Pennsylvania Cooperative Fish & Wildlife Research Unit, Department of Ecosystem Science and Management, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, United States
| | - Justin D Brown
- Department of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, United States
| | - Michael J Yabsley
- Southeastern Cooperative Wildlife Disease Study, Department of Population Health, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, United States.,Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, United States
| | - Matthew J Lovallo
- Bureau of Wildlife Management, Pennsylvania Game Commission, Harrisburg, PA, United States
| | - W David Walter
- U.S. Geological Survey, Pennsylvania Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, United States
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Wood H, Dillon L, Patel SN, Ralevski F. Prevalence of Rickettsia species in Dermacentor variabilis ticks from Ontario, Canada. Ticks Tick Borne Dis 2016; 7:1044-1046. [PMID: 27318438 DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2016.06.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2016] [Revised: 06/02/2016] [Accepted: 06/03/2016] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Relatively little is known about the prevalence of rickettsial species in Dermacentor ticks in eastern Canada. In this study, Dermacentor ticks from the province of Ontario, Canada, were tested for the presence of spotted fever group rickettsial (SFGR) species, Coxiella burnetii and Francisella tularensis. Rickettsia rickettsii was not detected in any ticks tested, but R. montanensis was detected at a prevalence of 2.2% in D. variabilis (17/778). Two other SFGR species, R. parkeri and Candidatus R. andeanae, were detected individually in 2 Amblyomma maculatum ticks. Rickettsia peacockii, a non-pathogenic endosymbiont, was detected in two D. andersonii ticks. Given the highly abundant nature of D. variabilis, surveillance for human pathogens in this species of tick has important public health implications, but the lack of detection of known human pathogens indicates a low risk of infection via this tick species in Ontario. However, the detection of R. parkeri in an adventive A. maculatum tick indicates that health care providers should be aware of the possibility of spotted fever rickettsioses in individuals with a history of travel outside of Ontario and symptoms compatible with a spotted fever rickettsiosis. Coxiella burnetii and Francisella tularensis, human pathogens also potentially transmitted by D. variabilis, were not detected in a subset of the ticks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heidi Wood
- National Microbiology Laboratory, Public Health Agency of Canada, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada.
| | - Liz Dillon
- National Microbiology Laboratory, Public Health Agency of Canada, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada.
| | - Samir N Patel
- Public Health Ontario Laboratory, Public Health Ontario, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
| | - Filip Ralevski
- Public Health Ontario Laboratory, Public Health Ontario, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
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