Leishmania Infection in Wild Lagomorphs and Domestic Dogs in North-East Spain

Leishmania infantum is a zoonotic protozoan parasite distributed worldwide that is transmitted by phlebotomine sandflies. Dogs are the main reservoir for human infections. However, in recent years, the capacity of lagomorphs to contribute to Leishmania transmission has been confirmed. The present study aimed to assess Leishmania spp. exposure and infection in lagomorphs and sympatric domestic dogs in NE Spain. Sera from European hares, European rabbits, and rural dogs were tested for antibodies against L. infantum using an in-house indirect ELISA. PCR analysis targeting Leishmania spp. was performed in spleens from L. europaeus. Antibodies against Leishmania spp. were detected in all the species analyzed. Total sample prevalence was significantly higher in O. cuniculus (27.9%) than in L. europaeus (2.0%). Results of the PCR were all negative. The present study expands knowledge about Leishmania infections in free-ranging lagomorphs in the Iberian Peninsula, suggesting a more important role of O. cuniculus in the study area. Given the strong correlation between lagomorph densities and human leishmaniasis outbreaks in Spain, the high rabbit and human densities in NE Spain, and the high Leishmania spp. seroprevalence in rabbits, it becomes imperative to establish surveillance programs for lagomorphs in this region.

Heavy metals and metalloids in wild boars (Sus Scrofa) - a silent but serious public health hazard

Wild boars (Sus scrofa) are part of the hunting economy and are highly consumed in the Iberian Peninsula, including in the Castile and Leon regions. As zoonotic diseases, chemical pollutants in wild boars' internal tissues should be interpreted as evidence of environmental contamination and a matter of concern for animal, human and ecosystem health; in other words, a One Health concern. Twenty-eight wild boars' livers and kidneys (n = 28) from Castile and Leon were submitted to metal(loid) determination (As, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, and Zn) with inductively coupled plasma mass spectrophotometry (ICP-MS) and histopathological exam. Cd levels, especially in the kidneys (7.063 ± 7.271 mg/kg dw), were the most concerning results, considering the calculated maximum values for consumption (EC No. 915/2023) (2.491 mg/kg dw or 1.0 mg/kg ww). Wild boars with hydropic changes in the liver presented higher concentrations of Ni. Thus, the metal(loid) contamination of wild boar carcasses seems to be a "no trace" but very relevant problem that should raise awareness of a more accurate monitoring program and other strategies to avoid public health consequences.

The first full study of heavy metal(loid)s in western-European hedgehogs (Erinaceus europaeus) from Portugal

The western-European hedgehog (Erinaceus europaeus) is an insectivore with a wide distribution in Portugal and a potential tool for biomonitoring relevant One Health hazards, including heavy metal(loid)s' pollution. The aim of this study was to positively contribute to the current knowledge about the metal(loid) pollution in Portugal. Forty-six hedgehogs (from rescue centres; with known provenance) were necropsied. Sex, age category and weight were determined. Spines, liver and kidney were collected, and metalloid concentrations were determined by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrophotometry (ICP-MS). In general, results did not present alarming metal(loid) concentrations, with the exception of cadmium (Cd) (in the kidneys) and copper (Cu). Hedgehogs from Viana do Castelo and Viseu showed elevated concentrations of arsenic (As) and Castelo Branco presented concerning values of cadmium (Cd). Adult and heavier hedgehogs tended to present higher levels of metal(loid)s. Sex does not seem to significantly affect the metal(loid)s' concentrations. Further analysis would be needed to prioritize areas with detail and allow the application of the necessary mitigation strategies.

A spontaneous ovarian teratoma in an FVB/n female mouse: Case report and literature review

Background

Teratomas are rare types of germ cell neoplasms composed of various differentiated or undifferentiated tissues.

Case Description

A 25-week-old female control FVB /n mouse in a 4-week toxicity study presented abdominal distension and poor body condition. It was euthanized, and the necropsy examination revealed a large mass connected to the tip of the right uterine horn, occupying the entire abdominal cavity. Microscopically, this mass showed areas of epidermal differentiation, with laminated keratin and sebaceous glands, differentiation into respiratory and digestive epithelium, cartilage, bone, and extensive areas of differentiation into the nervous tissue, being classified as an ovarian teratoma.

Conclusion

As far as authors know, the occurrence of ovarian teratomas in the FVB/n mouse strain has never been previously described.

First morphological and molecular isolation of Talaromyces marneffei in beech marten (Martes foina) in Portugal

Talaromyces marneffei is a zoonotic fungus that mostly infects immunocompromised individuals. For the first time, this fungus was isolated in an adult beech marten (Martes foina) hit by a car, found dead in Penamacor, Portugal. During the necropsy, different samples (skin, fur, lymph nodes, lung, spleen, kidneys, and brain) were collected and processed for microbiology (including mycology) and molecular biology. T. marneffei was identified through its mycological characteristics and confirmed by PCR in hair samples. No other lesions or alterations were reported, except a concomitant presence of M. avium subsp. paratuberculosis in lung, kidney and brain samples. To the authors' knowledge, this is the first description of this fungus beech marten, as well as the first case of co-infection with M. avium subsp. paratuberculosis in wildlife fauna. These results suggest a sylvatic life-cycle of T. marneffei, involving beech martens, in Portugal.

High Levels of Heavy Metal(loid)s Related to Biliary Hyperplasia in Hedgehogs (Erinaceus europaeus)

Heavy metal(loid) pollution of ecosystems is a current One Health problem. The liver is one of the most affected organs in cases of acute or chronic exposure to abnormal amounts of these substances, inducing histopathologic lesions. In order to assess the influence of heavy metal(loids), forty-five European hedgehogs (Erinaceus europaeus) were submitted to necropsy, and liver samples were collected for a routine histopathology exam and metal(loid)s determination (As, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu and Pb) by ICP-MS. Age was estimated during the necropsy exam. Biliary hyperplasia was the most frequent lesion observed (16/45; 35.56%). No statistically significant associations were found between biliary hyperplasia and age or sex. Metal(loid)s' concentrations were higher in animals with biliary hyperplasia (except for As). There was a statistically significant difference for both Cd and Co. For As, Cd and Co, cubs and juveniles animals showed significantly lower concentrations than elder individuals. Only for Pb were significant differences found between females and males. As described in the literature, exposure to metal(loid)s may be a cause of biliary hyperplasia, although further research (including the use of biochemical methods) is needed to support these results. To the authors' knowledge, this is the first report of this association in hedgehogs.

Talaromyces marneffei isolated from nasal swabs in Portugal

Mycobiota are essential to the health of any living being, creating a balanced and complex interaction between bacteria, the immune system and the tissue cells of the host. Talaromyces marneffei (also known as Penicillium marneffei) is a dimorphic fungus, endemic in South Asia, that often causes a life-threatening systemic fungal infection (called penicilliosis), particularly in immunocompromised hosts. Nasal swabs from 73 healthy volunteers were analysed to characterise their mycobiota, through its cultural characteristics, morphology and molecular methods (PCR). All volunteers were also asked to answer to an anonymous questionnaire. Three women were positive (and asymptomatic) for T. marneffei. One of them was reported to have lupus. This study contributes to improving our knowledge about human normal mycobiota, identifying mycotic agents that may cause complicated systemic infections (as T. marneffei), especially in immunosuppressed patients, as well as other possible risk factors of exposure or prognosis.

Do Urban Hedgehogs (Erinaceus europaeus) Represent a Relevant Source of Zoonotic Diseases?

Urban fauna is defined as animal species that can live in urban environments. Several species, including the western-European hedgehog (Erinaceus europaeus), have now been identified as part of this urban fauna, becoming permanent residents of parks and gardens in different cities across Europe. Due to the importance that this phenomenon represents for zoonotic disease surveillance, several authors have been conducting zoonotic agents' surveys on hedgehog. The aim of this study is to compare zoonotic diseases' prevalence in hedgehogs in urban environments with those from more rural areas. A systematic review with meta-analysis of twelve studied of zoonotic diseases' (in urban and rural areas of Europe) was therefore conducted for this purpose. Fifteen different zoonoses have been assessed in urban environments and six in rural areas. Anaplasma phagocytophilum was the most prevalent zoonotic agent found in urban habitats (96%). Dermatophytosis shows statistically significant differences between locations (p-value < 0.001), with a higher prevalence in urban Poland (55%; n = 182). Our results suggest further research and a standardized monitoring of different hedgehog populations are essential to understanding the epidemiology of several zoonotic pathogens in different habitat types (urban, rural, natural, industrial, etc.) and preventing possible disease outbreaks.

Biomonitoring metals and metalloids in wild mammals: invasive versus non-invasive sampling

Heavy metal and metalloid pollution is a matter of concern in animal, human and environmental health (One Health) and also in wildlife conservation worldwide. Studying wild mammals in toxicology has been contributing significantly to our knowledge, namely to find out the most critical regions, to understand bioaccumulation and biomagnification phenomena or to evaluate their toxic effects. However, not all the animal tissues and organs provide the same information or should be interpreted in the same way. The best sample to use will depend on the objectives and conditions of the study. This review aims to compare invasive and non-invasive samples to biomonitor heavy metals, providing a brief resume of their advantages, limitations and examples of use. Further research, using a wider range of mammalian species, is required to establish what information can be obtained in biomonitoring studies that use non-invasive samples (such as hair, faeces and parasites) and/or invasive samples (such as blood, liver, kidney, bone and other organs).

Gastrointestinal Parasitism in Przewalski Horses (Equus ferus przewalskii)

PURPOSE

Przewalski's horse (Equus ferus przewalskii) is a subspecies of Equus ferus classified as endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), whose gastrointestinal (GI) parasitism has been studied in different populations, in situ and ex situ, during the last decades. We aimed to summarize the information available on the subject.

METHODS

In this review, we collected information from distinct published literature, interpreted it, compared it and related the Przewalski's horse biology and ecology with different findings.

RESULTS

Many similarities can be found between the Przewalski's horse populations and the domestic horses regarding their gastrointestinal parasite community. However, not all the GI parasites described in the domestic horse have been reported in Przewalski's horse's surveys. The most prevalent parasites found in Przewalski's horses belong to the Strongylidae family, namely the Cyathostominae.

CONCLUSIONS

More continuous monitoring studies should be carried on in different in situ and ex situ locations to consistently support the one-off surveys. It might be necessary to better correlate the parasitological findings of this subspecies with other animals that share the same habitat and ecosystem, for instance, intermediate and reservoir hosts, from different animal taxonomic groups.