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Hidalgo-Hermoso E, Verasay Caviedes S, Pizarro-Lucero J, Cabello J, Vicencio R, Celis S, Ortiz C, Kemec I, Abuhadba-Mediano N, Asencio R, Vera F, Valencia C, Lagos R, Moreira-Arce D, Salinas F, Ramirez-Toloza G, Muñoz-Quijano R, Neira V, Salgado R, Abalos P, Parra B, Cárdenas-Cáceres S, Muena NA, Tischler ND, Del Pozo I, Aduriz G, Esperon F, Muñoz-Leal S, Aravena P, Alegría-Morán R, Cuadrado-Matías R, Ruiz-Fons F. High Exposure to Livestock Pathogens in Southern Pudu ( Pudu puda) from Chile. Animals (Basel) 2024; 14:526. [PMID: 38396494 PMCID: PMC10886221 DOI: 10.3390/ani14040526] [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] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2023] [Revised: 01/19/2024] [Accepted: 01/23/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024] Open
Abstract
A significant gap in exposure data for most livestock and zoonotic pathogens is common for several Latin America deer species. This study examined the seroprevalence against 13 pathogens in 164 wild and captive southern pudu from Chile between 2011 and 2023. Livestock and zoonotic pathogen antibodies were detected in 22 of 109 wild pudus (20.18%; 95% CI: 13.34-29.18) and 17 of 55 captive pudus (30.91%; 95% CI: 19.52-44.96), including five Leptospira interrogans serovars (15.38% and 10.71%), Toxoplasma gondii (8.57% and 37.50%), Chlamydia abortus (3.03% and 12.82%), Neospora caninum (0.00% and 9.52%), and Pestivirus (8.00% and 6.67%). Risk factors were detected for Leptospira spp., showing that fawn pudu have statistically significantly higher risk of positivity than adults. In the case of T. gondii, pudu living in "free-range" have a lower risk of being positive for this parasite. In under-human-care pudu, a Pestivirus outbreak is the most strongly suspected as the cause of abortions in a zoo in the past. This study presents the first evidence of Chlamydia abortus in wildlife in South America and exposure to T. gondii, L. interrogans, and N. caninum in wild ungulate species in Chile. High seroprevalence of livestock pathogens such as Pestivirus and Leptospira Hardjo in wild animals suggests a livestock transmission in Chilean template forest.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Sebastián Verasay Caviedes
- Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias y Pecuarias, Universidad de Chile, Av. Santa Rosa, Santiago 8820808, Chile; (S.V.C.); (J.P.-L.); (R.V.); (G.R.-T.); (R.M.-Q.); (V.N.); (R.S.); (P.A.); (B.P.)
- Laboratorio Clínico, Hospital Veterinario SOS Buin Zoo, Panamericana Sur Km 32, Buin 9500000, Chile;
| | - Jose Pizarro-Lucero
- Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias y Pecuarias, Universidad de Chile, Av. Santa Rosa, Santiago 8820808, Chile; (S.V.C.); (J.P.-L.); (R.V.); (G.R.-T.); (R.M.-Q.); (V.N.); (R.S.); (P.A.); (B.P.)
| | - Javier Cabello
- Centro de Conservación de la Biodiversidad Chiloé-Silvestre, Nal Bajo, Ancud 5710000, Chile; (J.C.); (R.A.)
| | - Rocio Vicencio
- Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias y Pecuarias, Universidad de Chile, Av. Santa Rosa, Santiago 8820808, Chile; (S.V.C.); (J.P.-L.); (R.V.); (G.R.-T.); (R.M.-Q.); (V.N.); (R.S.); (P.A.); (B.P.)
- Centro de Conservación de la Biodiversidad Chiloé-Silvestre, Nal Bajo, Ancud 5710000, Chile; (J.C.); (R.A.)
| | - Sebastián Celis
- Departamento de Veterinaria, Parque Zoológico Buin Zoo, Panamericana Sur Km 32, Buin 9500000, Chile; (S.C.); (C.O.); (I.K.)
| | - Carolina Ortiz
- Departamento de Veterinaria, Parque Zoológico Buin Zoo, Panamericana Sur Km 32, Buin 9500000, Chile; (S.C.); (C.O.); (I.K.)
| | - Ignacio Kemec
- Departamento de Veterinaria, Parque Zoológico Buin Zoo, Panamericana Sur Km 32, Buin 9500000, Chile; (S.C.); (C.O.); (I.K.)
| | - Nour Abuhadba-Mediano
- Escuela de Medicina Veterinaria, Universidad Mayor, Camino La Pirámide 5750, Santiago 7580506, Chile;
| | - Ronie Asencio
- Centro de Conservación de la Biodiversidad Chiloé-Silvestre, Nal Bajo, Ancud 5710000, Chile; (J.C.); (R.A.)
| | - Frank Vera
- School of Veterinary Medicine, Facultad de Ciencias de la Naturaleza, Universidad San Sebastian, Patagonia Campus, Puerto Montt 5480000, Chile; (F.V.); (C.V.)
| | - Carola Valencia
- School of Veterinary Medicine, Facultad de Ciencias de la Naturaleza, Universidad San Sebastian, Patagonia Campus, Puerto Montt 5480000, Chile; (F.V.); (C.V.)
| | - Rocio Lagos
- Laboratorio Clínico, Hospital Veterinario SOS Buin Zoo, Panamericana Sur Km 32, Buin 9500000, Chile;
| | - Dario Moreira-Arce
- Departamento de Gestión Agraria, Universidad de Santiago de Chile (USACH), Santiago 9170022, Chile;
- Institute of Ecology and Biodiversity (IEB), Santiago 7750000, Chile
| | - Fernanda Salinas
- Fundacion Buin Zoo, Panamericana Sur Km 32, Buin 9500000, Chile;
- Escuela de Geografia, Universidad de Chile, Santiago 8820808, Chile
| | - Galia Ramirez-Toloza
- Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias y Pecuarias, Universidad de Chile, Av. Santa Rosa, Santiago 8820808, Chile; (S.V.C.); (J.P.-L.); (R.V.); (G.R.-T.); (R.M.-Q.); (V.N.); (R.S.); (P.A.); (B.P.)
| | - Raul Muñoz-Quijano
- Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias y Pecuarias, Universidad de Chile, Av. Santa Rosa, Santiago 8820808, Chile; (S.V.C.); (J.P.-L.); (R.V.); (G.R.-T.); (R.M.-Q.); (V.N.); (R.S.); (P.A.); (B.P.)
| | - Victor Neira
- Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias y Pecuarias, Universidad de Chile, Av. Santa Rosa, Santiago 8820808, Chile; (S.V.C.); (J.P.-L.); (R.V.); (G.R.-T.); (R.M.-Q.); (V.N.); (R.S.); (P.A.); (B.P.)
| | - Rodrigo Salgado
- Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias y Pecuarias, Universidad de Chile, Av. Santa Rosa, Santiago 8820808, Chile; (S.V.C.); (J.P.-L.); (R.V.); (G.R.-T.); (R.M.-Q.); (V.N.); (R.S.); (P.A.); (B.P.)
| | - Pedro Abalos
- Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias y Pecuarias, Universidad de Chile, Av. Santa Rosa, Santiago 8820808, Chile; (S.V.C.); (J.P.-L.); (R.V.); (G.R.-T.); (R.M.-Q.); (V.N.); (R.S.); (P.A.); (B.P.)
| | - Barbara Parra
- Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias y Pecuarias, Universidad de Chile, Av. Santa Rosa, Santiago 8820808, Chile; (S.V.C.); (J.P.-L.); (R.V.); (G.R.-T.); (R.M.-Q.); (V.N.); (R.S.); (P.A.); (B.P.)
| | - Simone Cárdenas-Cáceres
- Laboratorio de Virología Molecular, Fundación Ciencia & Vida, Av. del Valle Nte. 725, Huechuraba, Santiago 8580704, Chile; (S.C.-C.); (N.A.M.); (N.D.T.)
| | - Nicolás A. Muena
- Laboratorio de Virología Molecular, Fundación Ciencia & Vida, Av. del Valle Nte. 725, Huechuraba, Santiago 8580704, Chile; (S.C.-C.); (N.A.M.); (N.D.T.)
| | - Nicole D. Tischler
- Laboratorio de Virología Molecular, Fundación Ciencia & Vida, Av. del Valle Nte. 725, Huechuraba, Santiago 8580704, Chile; (S.C.-C.); (N.A.M.); (N.D.T.)
- Facultad de Medicina y Ciencia, Universidad San Sebastián, Providencia, Santiago 8420524, Chile
| | - Itziar Del Pozo
- Department of Animal Health, NEIKER-Basque Institute for Agricultural Research and Development, Basque Research and Technology Alliance (BRTA), Parque Científico y Tecnológico de Bizkaia, P812, 48160 Derio, Spain; (I.D.P.); (G.A.)
| | - Gorka Aduriz
- Department of Animal Health, NEIKER-Basque Institute for Agricultural Research and Development, Basque Research and Technology Alliance (BRTA), Parque Científico y Tecnológico de Bizkaia, P812, 48160 Derio, Spain; (I.D.P.); (G.A.)
| | - Fernando Esperon
- Veterinary Department, School of Biomedical and Health Sciences, Universidad Europea de Madrid, C/Tajo s/n, 28670 Villaviciosa de Odón, Spain;
| | - Sebastián Muñoz-Leal
- Departamento de Ciencia Animal, Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, Universidad de Concepción, Chillán 3812120, Chile; (S.M.-L.); (P.A.)
| | - Paula Aravena
- Departamento de Ciencia Animal, Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, Universidad de Concepción, Chillán 3812120, Chile; (S.M.-L.); (P.A.)
| | - Raúl Alegría-Morán
- Escuela de Medicina Veterinaria, Sede Santiago, Facultad de Recursos Naturales y Medicina Veterinaria, Universidad Santo Tomás, Ejercito Libertador 146, Santiago 8370003, Chile;
| | - Raul Cuadrado-Matías
- Health & Biotechnology (SaBio) Group, Instituto de Investigación en Recursos Cinegéticos IREC (CSIC-UCLM-JCCM), 13005 Ciudad Real, Spain; (R.C.-M.)
| | - Francisco Ruiz-Fons
- Health & Biotechnology (SaBio) Group, Instituto de Investigación en Recursos Cinegéticos IREC (CSIC-UCLM-JCCM), 13005 Ciudad Real, Spain; (R.C.-M.)
- CIBERINFEC, ISCIII—CIBER de Enfermedades Infecciosas, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 28029 Madrid, Spain
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2
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Bradley EA, Lockaby G. Leptospirosis and the Environment: A Review and Future Directions. Pathogens 2023; 12:1167. [PMID: 37764975 PMCID: PMC10538202 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens12091167] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [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: 07/24/2023] [Revised: 08/31/2023] [Accepted: 09/13/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Leptospirosis is a zoonotic disease of global importance with significant morbidity and mortality. However, the disease is frequently overlooked and underdiagnosed, leading to uncertainty of the true scale and severity of the disease. A neglected tropical disease, leptospirosis disproportionately impacts disadvantaged socioeconomic communities most vulnerable to outbreaks of zoonotic disease, due to contact with infectious animals and contaminated soils and waters. With growing evidence that Leptospira survives, persists, and reproduces in the environment, this paper reviews the current understanding of the pathogen in the environment and highlights the unknowns that are most important for future study. Through a systematic Boolean review of the literature, our study finds that detailed field-based study of Leptospira prevalence, survival, and transmission in natural waters and soils is lacking from the current literature. This review identified a strong need for assessment of physical characteristics and biogeochemical processes that support long-term viability of Leptospira in the environment followed by epidemiological assessment of the transmission and movement of the same strains of Leptospira in the present wildlife and livestock as the first steps in improving our understanding of the environmental stage of the leptospirosis transmission cycle.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth A. Bradley
- College of Forestry, Wildlife, and Environment, Auburn University, Auburn, AL 36849, USA
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3
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Helman SK, Tokuyama AFN, Mummah RO, Stone NE, Gamble MW, Snedden CE, Borremans B, Gomez ACR, Cox C, Nussbaum J, Tweedt I, Haake DA, Galloway RL, Monzón J, Riley SPD, Sikich JA, Brown J, Friscia A, Sahl JW, Wagner DM, Lynch JW, Prager KC, Lloyd-Smith JO. Pathogenic Leptospira are widespread in the urban wildlife of southern California. Sci Rep 2023; 13:14368. [PMID: 37658075 PMCID: PMC10474285 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-40322-2] [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] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2023] [Accepted: 08/08/2023] [Indexed: 09/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Leptospirosis, the most widespread zoonotic disease in the world, is broadly understudied in multi-host wildlife systems. Knowledge gaps regarding Leptospira circulation in wildlife, particularly in densely populated areas, contribute to frequent misdiagnoses in humans and domestic animals. We assessed Leptospira prevalence levels and risk factors in five target wildlife species across the greater Los Angeles region: striped skunks (Mephitis mephitis), raccoons (Procyon lotor), coyotes (Canis latrans), Virginia opossums (Didelphis virginiana), and fox squirrels (Sciurus niger). We sampled more than 960 individual animals, including over 700 from target species in the greater Los Angeles region, and an additional 266 sampled opportunistically from other California regions and species. In the five target species seroprevalences ranged from 5 to 60%, and infection prevalences ranged from 0.8 to 15.2% in all except fox squirrels (0%). Leptospira phylogenomics and patterns of serologic reactivity suggest that mainland terrestrial wildlife, particularly mesocarnivores, could be the source of repeated observed introductions of Leptospira into local marine and island ecosystems. Overall, we found evidence of widespread Leptospira exposure in wildlife across Los Angeles and surrounding regions. This indicates exposure risk for humans and domestic animals and highlights that this pathogen can circulate endemically in many wildlife species even in densely populated urban areas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah K Helman
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
- Institute of the Environment and Sustainability, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
| | - Amanda F N Tokuyama
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Riley O Mummah
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Nathan E Stone
- The Pathogen and Microbiome Institute, Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, AZ, USA
| | - Mason W Gamble
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Institute of the Environment and Sustainability, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Celine E Snedden
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Benny Borremans
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Evolutionary Ecology Group, Department of Biology, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
- Wildlife Health Ecology Research Organization, San Diego, CA, USA
| | - Ana C R Gomez
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Caitlin Cox
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Julianne Nussbaum
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Isobel Tweedt
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - David A Haake
- Veterans Affairs Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- The David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | | | - Javier Monzón
- Natural Science Division, Pepperdine University, Malibu, CA, USA
| | - Seth P D Riley
- Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area, National Park Service, Thousand Oaks, CA, USA
| | - Jeff A Sikich
- Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area, National Park Service, Thousand Oaks, CA, USA
| | - Justin Brown
- Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area, National Park Service, Thousand Oaks, CA, USA
| | - Anthony Friscia
- Department of Integrative Biology and Physiology, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Jason W Sahl
- The Pathogen and Microbiome Institute, Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, AZ, USA
| | - David M Wagner
- The Pathogen and Microbiome Institute, Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, AZ, USA
| | - Jessica W Lynch
- Institute for Society and Genetics, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Katherine C Prager
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - James O Lloyd-Smith
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
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4
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Reinhardt NP, Köster J, Thomas A, Arnold J, Fux R, Straubinger RK. Bacterial and Viral Pathogens with One Health Relevance in Invasive Raccoons ( Procyon lotor, Linné 1758) in Southwest Germany. Pathogens 2023; 12:389. [PMID: 36986312 PMCID: PMC10054312 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens12030389] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [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: 01/27/2023] [Revised: 02/24/2023] [Accepted: 02/25/2023] [Indexed: 03/05/2023] Open
Abstract
In Europe, raccoons are invasive neozoons with their largest population in Germany. Globally, this mesocarnivore acts as a wildlife reservoir for many (non-)zoonotic (re-)emerging pathogens, but very little epidemiological data is available for southwest Germany. This exploratory study aimed to screen free-ranging raccoons in Baden-Wuerttemberg (BW, Germany) for the occurrence of selected pathogens with One Health relevance. Organ tissue and blood samples collected from 102 animals, obtained by hunters in 2019 and 2020, were subsequently analysed for two bacterial and four viral pathogens using a qPCR approach. Single samples were positive for the carnivore protoparvovirus-1 (7.8%, n = 8), canine distemper virus (6.9%, n = 7), pathogenic Leptospira spp. (3.9%, n = 4) and Anaplasma phagocytophilum (15.7%, n = 16). West Nile virus and influenza A virus were not detected. Due to their invasive behaviour and synanthropic habit, raccoons may increase the risk of infections for wildlife, domestic animals, zoo animals and humans by acting as a link between them. Therefore, further studies should be initiated to evaluate these risks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nico P. Reinhardt
- Bacteriology and Mycology, Institute for Infectious Diseases and Zoonoses, Department of Veterinary Sciences, LMU Munich, 80539 Munich, Germany
| | - Judith Köster
- Aulendorf State Veterinary Diagnostic Centre (STUA), 88326 Aulendorf, Germany
| | - Astrid Thomas
- Bacteriology and Mycology, Institute for Infectious Diseases and Zoonoses, Department of Veterinary Sciences, LMU Munich, 80539 Munich, Germany
| | - Janosch Arnold
- Wildlife Research Unit, Agricultural Centre Baden-Wuerttemberg (LAZBW), 88326 Aulendorf, Germany
| | - Robert Fux
- Virology, Institute for Infectious Diseases and Zoonoses, Department of Veterinary Sciences, LMU Munich, 80539 Munich, Germany
| | - Reinhard K. Straubinger
- Bacteriology and Mycology, Institute for Infectious Diseases and Zoonoses, Department of Veterinary Sciences, LMU Munich, 80539 Munich, Germany
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5
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Smith AM, Stull JW, Moore GE. Potential Drivers for the Re-Emergence of Canine Leptospirosis in the United States and Canada. Trop Med Infect Dis 2022; 7:377. [PMID: 36422928 PMCID: PMC9694660 DOI: 10.3390/tropicalmed7110377] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [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: 09/27/2022] [Revised: 11/10/2022] [Accepted: 11/11/2022] [Indexed: 09/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Canine leptospirosis is an important zoonotic disease in many countries. This review examines potential drivers for increased diagnoses of canine leptospirosis in the United States and Canada, using the epidemiologic triad of agent-environment-host as a template. Leptospira spp. are classified into more than 250 serovars, but in many laboratories only 6 are routinely tested for in serologic agglutination tests of canine sera. Leptospiral infections in dogs may potentially go undetected with unemployed or currently employed diagnostic methods. Disease transmission from infected reservoir hosts usually occurs via urine-contaminated environmental sources such as water. Direct contact between infected and susceptible individuals, environmental factors such as climate changes in temperature and/or rainfall, and increasing number and urbanization of reservoir hosts may greatly increase dog exposure risks. A dog's lifestyle may influence exposure risk to leptospirosis, but vaccination based on proper identification of circulating serogroups dramatically reduces post-exposure infections. Regrettably, resistance to vaccination by veterinarians and dog owners leaves a large number of dogs at risk for this zoonotic disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amanda M. Smith
- College of Veterinary Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
| | - Jason W. Stull
- College of Veterinary Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
- Atlantic Veterinary College, University of Prince Edward Island, Charlottetown, PE CIA 4P3, Canada
| | - George E. Moore
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA
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6
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Cranford HM, Browne AS, LeCount K, Anderson T, Hamond C, Schlater L, Stuber T, Burke-France VJ, Taylor M, Harrison CJ, Matias KY, Medley A, Rossow J, Wiese N, Jankelunas L, de Wilde L, Mehalick M, Blanchard GL, Garcia KR, McKinley AS, Lombard CD, Angeli NF, Horner D, Kelley T, Worthington DJ, Valiulis J, Bradford B, Berentsen A, Salzer JS, Galloway R, Schafer IJ, Bisgard K, Roth J, Ellis BR, Ellis EM, Nally JE. Mongooses (Urva auropunctata) as reservoir hosts of Leptospira species in the United States Virgin Islands, 2019-2020. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2021; 15:e0009859. [PMID: 34780473 PMCID: PMC8592401 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0009859] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2021] [Accepted: 09/28/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
During 2019-2020, the Virgin Islands Department of Health investigated potential animal reservoirs of Leptospira spp., the bacteria that cause leptospirosis. In this cross-sectional study, we investigated Leptospira spp. exposure and carriage in the small Indian mongoose (Urva auropunctata, syn: Herpestes auropunctatus), an invasive animal species. This study was conducted across the three main islands of the U.S. Virgin Islands (USVI), which are St. Croix, St. Thomas, and St. John. We used the microscopic agglutination test (MAT), fluorescent antibody test (FAT), real-time polymerase chain reaction (lipl32 rt-PCR), and bacterial culture to evaluate serum and kidney specimens and compared the sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value of these laboratory methods. Mongooses (n = 274) were live-trapped at 31 field sites in ten regions across USVI and humanely euthanized for Leptospira spp. testing. Bacterial isolates were sequenced and evaluated for species and phylogenetic analysis using the ppk gene. Anti-Leptospira spp. antibodies were detected in 34% (87/256) of mongooses. Reactions were observed with the following serogroups: Sejroe, Icterohaemorrhagiae, Pyrogenes, Mini, Cynopteri, Australis, Hebdomadis, Autumnalis, Mankarso, Pomona, and Ballum. Of the kidney specimens examined, 5.8% (16/270) were FAT-positive, 10% (27/274) were culture-positive, and 12.4% (34/274) were positive by rt-PCR. Of the Leptospira spp. isolated from mongooses, 25 were L. borgpetersenii, one was L. interrogans, and one was L. kirschneri. Positive predictive values of FAT and rt-PCR testing for predicting successful isolation of Leptospira by culture were 88% and 65%, respectively. The isolation and identification of Leptospira spp. in mongooses highlights the potential role of mongooses as a wildlife reservoir of leptospirosis; mongooses could be a source of Leptospira spp. infections for other wildlife, domestic animals, and humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hannah M. Cranford
- Virgin Islands Department of Health, Epidemiology Division, Christiansted, Virgin Islands, United States of America
| | - A. Springer Browne
- Virgin Islands Department of Health, Epidemiology Division, Christiansted, Virgin Islands, United States of America
- Epidemic Intelligence Service, Division of Scientific Education and Professional Development, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, United States of America
| | - Karen LeCount
- Leptospira Working Group, National Centers for Animal Health, United States Department of Agriculture, Ames, Iowa, United States of America
- National Veterinary Services Laboratories, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, United States Department of Agriculture, Ames, Iowa, United States of America
| | - Tammy Anderson
- Leptospira Working Group, National Centers for Animal Health, United States Department of Agriculture, Ames, Iowa, United States of America
- National Veterinary Services Laboratories, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, United States Department of Agriculture, Ames, Iowa, United States of America
| | - Camila Hamond
- Leptospira Working Group, National Centers for Animal Health, United States Department of Agriculture, Ames, Iowa, United States of America
- National Veterinary Services Laboratories, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, United States Department of Agriculture, Ames, Iowa, United States of America
| | - Linda Schlater
- Leptospira Working Group, National Centers for Animal Health, United States Department of Agriculture, Ames, Iowa, United States of America
- National Veterinary Services Laboratories, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, United States Department of Agriculture, Ames, Iowa, United States of America
| | - Tod Stuber
- Leptospira Working Group, National Centers for Animal Health, United States Department of Agriculture, Ames, Iowa, United States of America
- National Veterinary Services Laboratories, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, United States Department of Agriculture, Ames, Iowa, United States of America
| | - Valicia J. Burke-France
- Virgin Islands Department of Health, Epidemiology Division, Christiansted, Virgin Islands, United States of America
| | - Marissa Taylor
- Virgin Islands Department of Health, Epidemiology Division, Christiansted, Virgin Islands, United States of America
| | - Cosme J. Harrison
- Virgin Islands Department of Health, Epidemiology Division, Christiansted, Virgin Islands, United States of America
| | - Katia Y. Matias
- Virgin Islands Department of Health, Public Health Laboratory, Christiansted, Virgin Islands, United States of America
| | - Alexandra Medley
- Epidemic Intelligence Service, Division of Scientific Education and Professional Development, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, United States of America
| | - John Rossow
- Epidemic Intelligence Service, Division of Scientific Education and Professional Development, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, United States of America
| | - Nicholas Wiese
- Laboratory Leadership Service, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, United States of America
| | - Leanne Jankelunas
- Epidemiology Elective Program, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, United States of America
| | - Leah de Wilde
- Virgin Islands Department of Health, Epidemiology Division, Christiansted, Virgin Islands, United States of America
| | - Michelle Mehalick
- St. Croix Animal Welfare Center, Christiansted, Virgin Islands, United States of America
| | - Gerard L. Blanchard
- Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service Wildlife Services, United States Department of Agriculture, Charlotte Amalie, Virgin Islands, United States of America
| | - Keith R. Garcia
- Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service Wildlife Services, United States Department of Agriculture, Charlotte Amalie, Virgin Islands, United States of America
| | - Alan S. McKinley
- Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service Wildlife Services, United States Department of Agriculture, Charlotte Amalie, Virgin Islands, United States of America
| | - Claudia D. Lombard
- United States Fish and Wildlife Service, Christiansted, Virgin Islands, United States of America
| | - Nicole F. Angeli
- United States Virgin Islands Department of Planning and Natural Resources, Christiansted, Virgin Islands, United States of America
| | - David Horner
- National Park Service, Cruz Bay, Virgin Islands, United States of America
| | - Thomas Kelley
- National Park Service, Cruz Bay, Virgin Islands, United States of America
| | | | - Jennifer Valiulis
- St. Croix Environmental Association, Christiansted, Virgin Islands, United States of America
| | - Bethany Bradford
- United States Virgin Islands Department of Agriculture, Christiansted, Virgin Islands, United States of America
| | - Are Berentsen
- Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service Wildlife Services, National Wildlife Research Center, United States Department of Agriculture, Ames, Iowa, United States of America
| | - Johanna S. Salzer
- Bacterial Special Pathogens Branch, Division of High-Consequence Pathogens and Pathology, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, United States of America
| | - Renee Galloway
- Bacterial Special Pathogens Branch, Division of High-Consequence Pathogens and Pathology, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, United States of America
| | - Ilana J. Schafer
- Bacterial Special Pathogens Branch, Division of High-Consequence Pathogens and Pathology, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, United States of America
| | - Kristine Bisgard
- Center for Surveillance, Epidemiology, and Laboratory Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, United States of America
| | - Joseph Roth
- Virgin Islands Department of Health, Epidemiology Division, Christiansted, Virgin Islands, United States of America
| | - Brett R. Ellis
- Virgin Islands Department of Health, Public Health Laboratory, Christiansted, Virgin Islands, United States of America
| | - Esther M. Ellis
- Virgin Islands Department of Health, Epidemiology Division, Christiansted, Virgin Islands, United States of America
| | - Jarlath E. Nally
- Leptospira Working Group, National Centers for Animal Health, United States Department of Agriculture, Ames, Iowa, United States of America
- Agricultural Research Service, Infectious Bacterial Diseases Research Unit, United States Department of Agriculture, Ames, Iowa, United States of America
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Yamashita R, Yoshida T, Kobayashi M, Uomoto S, Shimizu S, Takesue K, Maeda N, Hara E, Ohshima K, Zeng W, Takahashi Y, Ikeuchi A, Okamoto E, Sugiyama T, Nagakubo H, Ichikawa-Seki M, Shibutani M. Leptospiral meningoencephalitis in a raccoon dog. J Vet Diagn Invest 2021; 33:1137-1141. [PMID: 34672844 DOI: 10.1177/10406387211033583] [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] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Neuroleptospirosis is a rare disease caused by pathogenic Leptospira interrogans in humans; however, it has not been fully studied in animals. A young wild raccoon dog was found convulsing in the recumbent position and died the next day. Histologic examination revealed nonsuppurative meningoencephalitis in the cerebrum, cerebellum, midbrain, and medulla oblongata. The lesions consisted of mixed infiltrates of Iba1-positive macrophages and CD3-positive T cells, with a small number of CD79α-positive B cells and myeloperoxidase-positive neutrophils. In the frontal cortex, perivascular cuffs and adjacent microglial nodules were distributed diffusely, especially in the molecular layer. Glial nodules were comprised of Iba1- and myeloperoxidase-positive activated microglia. Immunohistochemistry revealed leptospires in mononuclear cell perivascular cuffs, but not in glial nodules. Neuroleptospirosis was accompanied by Leptospira-related nonsuppurative interstitial nephritis, pulmonary edema and hemorrhage, and coronary periarteritis, as well as Toxocara tanuki in the small intestine and nonspecific foreign-body granulomas in the lungs and stomach.
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Affiliation(s)
- Risako Yamashita
- Laboratory of Veterinary Pathology, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Toshinori Yoshida
- Laboratory of Veterinary Pathology, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Mio Kobayashi
- Laboratory of Veterinary Pathology, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Suzuka Uomoto
- Laboratory of Veterinary Pathology, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Saori Shimizu
- Laboratory of Veterinary Pathology, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Keisuke Takesue
- Laboratory of Veterinary Pathology, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Natsuno Maeda
- Laboratory of Veterinary Pathology, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Erika Hara
- Laboratory of Veterinary Pathology, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Kanami Ohshima
- Laboratory of Veterinary Pathology, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Wen Zeng
- Laboratory of Veterinary Pathology, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yasunori Takahashi
- Laboratory of Veterinary Pathology, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Aoi Ikeuchi
- Laboratory of Veterinary Parasitology, Faculty of Agriculture, Iwate University, Morioka, Japan
| | - Emi Okamoto
- Laboratory of Veterinary Parasitology, Faculty of Agriculture, Iwate University, Morioka, Japan
| | - Takutoshi Sugiyama
- Laboratory of Veterinary Parasitology, Faculty of Agriculture, Iwate University, Morioka, Japan
| | - Hiroki Nagakubo
- Laboratory of Veterinary Parasitology, Faculty of Agriculture, Iwate University, Morioka, Japan
| | - Madoka Ichikawa-Seki
- Laboratory of Veterinary Parasitology, Faculty of Agriculture, Iwate University, Morioka, Japan
| | - Makoto Shibutani
- Laboratory of Veterinary Pathology, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, Tokyo, Japan
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Bahnson CS, Grove DM, Maskey JJ, Smith JR. Exposure to Select Pathogens in an Expanding Moose (Alces alces) Population in North Dakota, USA. J Wildl Dis 2021; 57:648-51. [PMID: 33857323 DOI: 10.7589/JWD-D-20-00150] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2020] [Accepted: 12/16/2020] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Forty female moose (Alces alces) captured in North Dakota, US, in March 2014 were tested for antibodies to a variety of pathogens. Antibodies to West Nile virus (WNV) were detected in 39 (98%) moose following a year with a high number of human cases, suggesting the population accurately reflects WNV activity. Fifteen percent of moose (6/40) had antibodies to Borrelia burgdorferi, implying expansion of the tick vector into the area. Antibodies to Anaplasma spp. were detected in 55% of moose (22/40), a higher rate than previously detected in cattle from the region. Low titers (100-400) to one or more serovars of Leptospira spp. were detected in 23% of moose (9/40), a common finding in wild ruminants. Exposure to other pathogens was uncommon (<8%; <3/40) or not documented. Survival and recruitment were high during the study period, suggesting a limited population-level impact at current levels of exposure and environmental co-stressors.
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Straub MH, Foley JE. Cross-sectional evaluation of multiple epidemiological cycles of Leptospira species in peri-urban wildlife in California. J Am Vet Med Assoc 2021; 257:840-848. [PMID: 33021456 DOI: 10.2460/javma.257.8.840] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To perform a cross-sectional survey to estimate prevalence of and potential risk factors for Leptospira spp infection and exposure in peri-urban wildlife throughout California. ANIMALS 723 animals representing 12 wildlife species. PROCEDURES Blood and urine samples were obtained from wildlife in California from 2007 to 2017. Live animals were captured in humane traps, anesthetized, and released. Carcasses were donated by wildlife services and necropsied for urine, blood, and kidney tissue samples. Samples were tested for antibodies against 6 serovars of Leptospira spp with a microscopic agglutination test and for pathogenic Leptospira spp DNA with a real-time PCR assay targeting the LipL32 gene. Potential risk factors for Leptospira spp exposure were assessed by logistic regression. Genetic relatedness of Leptospira spp were assessed with DNA sequencing of the rrs2 gene and multiple locus sequence analysis. RESULTS Statewide Leptospira spp seroprevalence was 39.1%, and prevalence of positive PCR assay results for Leptospira spp DNA was 23.0%. Risk factors for Leptospira spp exposure included being an adult, being from northern California, and being a western gray squirrel, coyote, striped skunk, raccoon, gray fox, or mountain lion. Antibodies against serovar Pomona predominated in most species, followed by serovar Copenhageni. Complete rrs2 sequences were identified as Leptospira interrogans and multiple locus sequence type analysis revealed sequence type 140. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE Pathogenic Leptospira spp appeared to be common and widespread among peri-urban wildlife in California. Our data highlight the potential for exposure to infectious disease for both humans and domestic animals at the urban-wildland interface.
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10
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Smith AM, Stull JW, Evason MD, Weese JS, Wittum TE, Szlosek D, Arruda AG. Investigation of spatio-temporal clusters of positive leptospirosis polymerase chain reaction test results in dogs in the United States, 2009 to 2016. J Vet Intern Med 2021; 35:1355-1360. [PMID: 33729616 PMCID: PMC8163129 DOI: 10.1111/jvim.16060] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2020] [Revised: 01/22/2021] [Accepted: 01/27/2021] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Leptospirosis is a zoonotic disease of concern and an investigation of recent spatio‐temporal trends of leptospirosis in dogs in the United States is needed. Leptospira PCR testing has become increasingly used in veterinary clinical medicine and these data might provide information on recent trends of disease occurrence. Objectives To identify and describe clusters of PCR‐positive Leptospira test results in dogs in the United States. Animals Leptospira real‐time PCR test results from dogs (n = 40 118) in the United States from IDEXX Laboratories, Inc., between 2009 and 2016 were included in the analysis. Methods In this retrospective study, spatio‐temporal clusters for a real‐time PCR‐positive test were identified using the space‐time permutation scan statistic and the centroid of the zip code reported for each test. A maximum spatial window of 20% of the population at risk, and a maximum temporal window of 6 months were used. Results Seven statistically significant space‐time clusters of Leptospira real‐time PCR‐positive test results were identified across the United States: 1 each located within the states of Arizona (2016), California (2014‐2015), Florida (2010), South Carolina (2015), and 1 each located within the south‐central region (2015), midwest region (2014), and northeast region (2011). Clusters ranged from 3 to 108 dogs and were identified during all years under study, except 2009, 2012, and 2013. Conclusions and Clinical Importance The spatial and temporal components of leptospirosis in dogs in this study are similar to those in previous work. However, clusters were identified in new areas, demonstrating the complex epidemiology of this disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amanda M Smith
- Department of Veterinary Preventive Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, USA
| | - Jason W Stull
- Department of Veterinary Preventive Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, USA.,Department of Health Management, Atlantic Veterinary College, University of Prince Edward Island, Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, Canada
| | - Michelle D Evason
- Department of Companion Animals, Atlantic Veterinary College, University of Prince Edward Island, Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, Canada.,Department of Pathobiology, Ontario Veterinary College, Centre for Public Health and Zoonoses, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada
| | - J Scott Weese
- Department of Pathobiology, Ontario Veterinary College, Centre for Public Health and Zoonoses, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada
| | - Thomas E Wittum
- Department of Veterinary Preventive Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, USA
| | | | - Andréia Gonçalves Arruda
- Department of Veterinary Preventive Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, USA
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11
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Abstract
Leptospirosis is a zoonotic disease with symptoms in humans and animals, ranging from subclinical to serious and fatal. The disease occurs worldwide, but there is limited recognition of the public and animal health risks it poses in the southern United States. A systematic review of the frequency of animal leptospirosis in 17 states and jurisdictions covering the southern continental United States was performed to advance our understanding of the pathogen's distribution and identify transmission patterns that could be targeted for prevention efforts. Fifty-two articles, spanning >100 years, met the analysis criteria. A wide range of techniques were used to measure seroprevalence and isolate the bacteria. The assessment identified exposure to Leptospira spp and Leptospira spp infection among a diverse range of species, spanning 22 animal families within 14 states, suggesting that the pathogen is distributed throughout the southern region. Disease frequency trends were assessed among animals in various habitats (all habitats, nonwild habitats, and wild habitats). The frequency of Leptospira spp detection in animals in wild habitats increased slightly over time (<0.2%/year). We identified reports of 11 human leptospirosis illness clusters and outbreaks in the southern United States. Exposure to potentially contaminated surface waters were documented for at least seven of the events, and interactions with infected or likely infected animals were documented for at least six of the events. This analysis highlights the need for stronger partnerships across the public and animal health fields to enhance diagnostics, surveillance, and reporting. The early identification of leptospirosis in animals may serve as an indicator of environmental contamination and trigger prevention measures, such as vaccinating companion animals and livestock, use of potable water, and the wearing of waterproof protective clothing near water that may be contaminated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tyann Blessington
- From the Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, and the Department of Marine, Earth, and Atmospheric Sciences, College of Sciences, North Carolina State University, Raleigh
| | - Anna P Schenck
- From the Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, and the Department of Marine, Earth, and Atmospheric Sciences, College of Sciences, North Carolina State University, Raleigh
| | - Jay F Levine
- From the Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, and the Department of Marine, Earth, and Atmospheric Sciences, College of Sciences, North Carolina State University, Raleigh
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12
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White LA, VandeWoude S, Craft ME. A mechanistic, stigmergy model of territory formation in solitary animals: Territorial behavior can dampen disease prevalence but increase persistence. PLoS Comput Biol 2020; 16:e1007457. [PMID: 32525874 PMCID: PMC7289346 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pcbi.1007457] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2019] [Accepted: 04/08/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Although movement ecology has leveraged models of home range formation to explore the effects of spatial heterogeneity and social cues on movement behavior, disease ecology has yet to integrate these potential drivers and mechanisms of contact behavior into a generalizable disease modeling framework. Here we ask how dynamic territory formation and maintenance might contribute to disease dynamics in a territorial, solitary predator for an indirectly transmitted pathogen. We developed a mechanistic individual-based model where stigmergy—the deposition of signals into the environment (e.g., scent marking, scraping)—dictates local movement choices and long-term territory formation, but also the risk of pathogen transmission. Based on a variable importance analysis, the length of the infectious period was the single most important variable in predicting outbreak success, maximum prevalence, and outbreak duration. Host density and rate of pathogen decay were also key predictors. We found that territoriality best reduced maximum prevalence in conditions where we would otherwise expect outbreaks to be most successful: slower recovery rates (i.e., longer infectious periods) and higher conspecific densities. However, for slower pathogen decay rates, stigmergy-driven movement increased outbreak durations relative to random movement simulations. Our findings therefore support a limited version of the “territoriality benefits” hypothesis—where reduced home range overlap leads to reduced opportunities for pathogen transmission, but with the caveat that reduction in outbreak severity may increase the likelihood of pathogen persistence. For longer infectious periods and higher host densities, key trade-offs emerged between the strength of pathogen load, the strength of the stigmergy cue, and the rate at which those two quantities decayed; this finding raises interesting questions about the evolutionary nature of these competing processes and the role of possible feedbacks between parasitism and territoriality. This work also highlights the importance of considering social cues as part of the movement landscape in order to better understand the consequences of individual behaviors on population level outcomes. Making decisions about conservation and disease management relies on our understanding of what allows animal populations to be successful, which often depends on when and where animals encounter each other. However, disease ecology often focuses on the social behavior of animals without accounting for their individual movement patterns. We developed a simulation model that bridges the fields of disease and movement ecology by allowing hosts to inform their movement based on the past movements of other hosts. As hosts navigate their environment, they leave behind a scent trail while avoiding the scent trails of other individuals. We wanted to know if this means of territory formation could heighten or dampen disease spread when infectious hosts leave pathogens in their wake. We found that territoriality can inhibit disease spread under conditions that we would normally expect pathogens to be most successful: when there are many hosts on the landscape and hosts stay infectious for longer. This work points to how incorporating movement behavior into disease models can provide improved understanding of how diseases spread in wildlife populations; such understanding is particularly important in the face of combatting ongoing and emerging infectious diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lauren A. White
- National Socio-Environmental Synthesis Center, University of Maryland, Annapolis, Maryland, United States of America
- * E-mail:
| | - Sue VandeWoude
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology & Pathology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado, United States of America
| | - Meggan E. Craft
- Department of Veterinary Population Medicine, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, Minnesota, United States of America
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Grimm K, Rivera NA, Fredebaugh-Siller S, Weng HY, Warner RE, Maddox CW, Mateus-Pinilla NE. EVIDENCE OF LEPTOSPIRA SEROVARS IN WILDLIFE AND LEPTOSPIRAL DNA IN WATER SOURCES IN A NATURAL AREA IN EAST-CENTRAL ILLINOIS, USA. J Wildl Dis 2020; 56:316-27. [PMID: 31622185] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
We identified seven Leptospira serovars in wildlife and the presence of leptospiral DNA in water sources at a natural area within a fragmented habitat in Illinois, US. These serovars have been implicated in domestic animal and human leptospirosis, a reemerging zoonotic disease, whose reservoirs include wildlife and domestic animals. We live trapped medium-sized mammals (n=351) near building (H-sites) or forest sites (F-sites). Using serology, we evaluated exposure to Leptospira (L. interrogans serovars Autumnalis, Bratislava, Canicola, Icterohaemorrhagiae, Pomona; L. kirschneri serovar Grippotyphosa; L. borgpetersenii serovar Hardjo). Using PCR, we tested for the presence of leptospires in eight water samples (ponds, creeks, and rainwater runoff) collected near trapping sites. We identified antibody titers in raccoons (Procyon lotor; 121/221) and Virginia opossums (Didelphis virginiana; 60/112), but not in feral cats (Felis catus; 0/18). We found significant differences in overall Leptospira seroprevalence between years (P=0.043) and animal's age in 2008 (P=0.005) and 2009 (P=0.003). Serovars Autumnalis, Bratislava, and Grippotyphosa showed significant differences among age groups with the highest seroprevalence in adults. Females had a higher seroprevalence for Icterohaemorragiae in 2008 (P=0.003) and Hardjo in 2009 (P=0.041). Risk of exposure to Leptospira was higher at F-sites compared to H-sites (odds ratio 2.3, 95% confidence interval 1.3-3.9, P=0.002). We captured more animals with titers >1:800 at H-sites, but there was no association between titer levels and capture site. Six of eight water sources were Leptospira-positive; however, there was no correlation between trapping locations of seropositive animals and positive water sources. Natural areas create opportunities for interspecies interactions, favoring leptospires transmission across species. Understanding that Leptospira serovars are present in natural areas is an integral part of the safe human and pet recreational use of these areas. Our study should raise awareness and build on public education designed to prevent disease transmission between species.
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