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Mena J, Hidalgo C, Estay-Olea D, Sallaberry-Pincheira N, Bacigalupo A, Rubio AV, Peñaloza D, Sánchez C, Gómez-Adaros J, Olmos V, Cabello J, Ivelic K, Abarca MJ, Ramírez-Álvarez D, Torregrosa Rocabado M, Durán Castro N, Carreño M, Gómez G, Cattan PE, Ramírez-Toloza G, Robbiano S, Marchese C, Raffo E, Stowhas P, Medina-Vogel G, Landaeta-Aqueveque C, Ortega R, Waleckx E, Gónzalez-Acuña D, Rojo G. Molecular surveillance of potential SARS-CoV-2 reservoir hosts in wildlife rehabilitation centers. Vet Q 2023; 43:1-10. [PMID: 36594266 PMCID: PMC9858396 DOI: 10.1080/01652176.2023.2164909] [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] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The COVID-19 pandemic, caused by SARS-CoV-2 infection, has become the most devastating zoonotic event in recent times, with negative impacts on both human and animal welfare as well as on the global economy. Although SARS-CoV-2 is considered a human virus, it likely emerged from animals, and it can infect both domestic and wild animals. This constitutes a risk for human and animal health including wildlife with evidence of SARS-CoV-2 horizontal transmission back and forth between humans and wild animals. AIM Molecular surveillance in different wildlife rehabilitation centers and wildlife associated institutions in Chile, which are critical points of animal-human interaction and wildlife conservation, especially since the aim of wildlife rehabilitation centers is to reintroduce animals to their original habitat. MATERIALS AND METHODS The survey was conducted in six WRCs and three wildlife associated institutions. A total of 185 samples were obtained from 83 individuals belonging to 15 different species, including vulnerable and endangered species. Each specimen was sampled with two different swabs: one oropharyngeal or nasopharyngeal according to the nostril diameter, and/or a second rectal sample. RNA was extracted from the samples and two different molecular assays were performed: first, a conventional RT-PCR with pan-coronavirus primers and a second SARS-CoV-2 qPCR targeting the N and S genes. RESULTS All 185 samples were negative for SARS-CoV-2. CLINICAL RELEVANCE This study constitutes the first report on the surveillance of SARS-CoV-2 from wildlife treated in rehabilitation centers in Chile, and supports the biosafety procedures adopted in those centers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan Mena
- Instituto de Ciencias Agroalimentarias, Animales y Ambientales (ICA3), Universidad de O'Higgins, San Fernando, Chile
| | - Christian Hidalgo
- Núcleo de Investigaciones Aplicadas en Ciencias Veterinarias y Agronómicas (NIAVA), Universidad de Las Américas, Chile
| | - Daniela Estay-Olea
- Instituto de Ciencias Agroalimentarias, Animales y Ambientales (ICA3), Universidad de O'Higgins, San Fernando, Chile
| | - Nicole Sallaberry-Pincheira
- Unidad de Rehabilitación de Fauna Silvestre (UFAS), Escuela de Medicina Veterinaria, Universidad Andres Bello, Santiago, Chile
| | - Antonella Bacigalupo
- Institute of Biodiversity, Animal Health and Comparative Medicine, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - André V. Rubio
- Departamento de Ciencias Biológicas Animales, Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias y Pecuarias, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Diego Peñaloza
- Departamento de Áreas Silvestres Protegidas, Corporación Nacional Forestal (CONAF), Región del Libertador General Bernardo O’Higgins, Rancagua, Chile
| | - Carolina Sánchez
- Unidad de Rehabilitación de Fauna Silvestre (UFAS), Escuela de Medicina Veterinaria, Universidad Andres Bello, Santiago, Chile
| | | | - Valeria Olmos
- Centro de Rehabilitación y Exhibición de Fauna Silvestre, Rancagua, Chile
| | - Javier Cabello
- Centro de Conservación de la Biodiversidad, Ancud, Chile
| | - Kendra Ivelic
- Refugio Animal Cascada, Centro de Rehabilitación y Exhibición de fauna nativa de la Fundación Acción Fauna, Santiago, Chile
| | - María José Abarca
- Comité Nacional Pro Defensa de la Fauna y Flora (CODEFF), Santiago, Chile
| | - Diego Ramírez-Álvarez
- Servicio Agrícola y Ganadero de Chile (SAG), Unidad de Vida Silvestre, Rancagua, Chile
| | - Marisol Torregrosa Rocabado
- Médico Veterinaria Encargada Sección Salud Animal, Zoológico Nacional del Parque Metropolitano, Santiago, Chile
| | - Natalia Durán Castro
- Médico Veterinaria Sección Salud Animal, Zoológico Nacional del Parque Metropolitano, Santiago, Chile
| | | | - Gabriela Gómez
- Departamento de Áreas Silvestres Protegidas, Corporación Nacional Forestal (CONAF), Región de Aysén, Chile
| | - Pedro E. Cattan
- Departamento de Ciencias Biológicas Animales, Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias y Pecuarias, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Galia Ramírez-Toloza
- Departamento de Medicina Preventiva, Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias y Pecuarias, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Sofía Robbiano
- Centro de Rehabilitación de Fauna Silvestre, Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, Universidad de Concepción, Chillán, Chile
| | - Carla Marchese
- Servicio Agrícola y Ganadero de Chile (SAG), Unidad de Vida Silvestre, Valdivia, Chile
| | - Eduardo Raffo
- Servicio Agrícola y Ganadero de Chile (SAG), Unidad de Vida Silvestre, Valdivia, Chile
| | - Paulina Stowhas
- Programa Nacional Integrado de Gestión de Especies Exóticas Invasoras, Ministerio del Medio Ambiente, Santiago, Chile
| | - Gonzalo Medina-Vogel
- Centro de Investigación para la Sustentabilidad (CIS), Universidad Andres Bello, Santiago, Chile
| | - Carlos Landaeta-Aqueveque
- Departamento Patología y Medicina Preventiva, Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, Universidad de Concepción, Chillán, Chile
| | - René Ortega
- Departamento Patología y Medicina Preventiva, Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, Universidad de Concepción, Chillán, Chile
| | - Etienne Waleckx
- Institut de Recherche pour le Développement, UMR INTERTRYP IRD, CIRAD, Université de Montpellier, Montpellier, France,Laboratorio de Parasitología, Centro de Investigaciones Regionales “Dr Hideyo Noguchi”, Universidad Autónoma de Yucatán, Mérida, México
| | - Daniel Gónzalez-Acuña
- Departamento Ciencia Animal, Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, Universidad de Concepción, Chillán, Chile
| | - Gemma Rojo
- Instituto de Ciencias Agroalimentarias, Animales y Ambientales (ICA3), Universidad de O'Higgins, San Fernando, Chile,CONTACT Gemma Rojo Instituto de Ciencias Agroalimentarias, Animales y Ambientales (ICA3), Universidad de O'Higgins, San Fernando, Chile
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Medina-Vogel G, Muñoz F, Moeggenberg M, Calvo-Mac C, Barros-Lama M, Ulloa N, Pons DJ, Clapperton BK. Improving Trapping Efficiency for Control of American Mink ( Neovison vison) in Patagonia. Animals (Basel) 2022; 12:142. [PMID: 35049765 PMCID: PMC8772562 DOI: 10.3390/ani12020142] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2021] [Revised: 12/27/2021] [Accepted: 01/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Two main challenges when controlling alien American mink (Neovison vison) in Patagonia are to maximize campaign efficacy and cost-effectiveness and to avoid trapping native species. We designed and tested new variants of collapsible wire box traps, compared the efficacy of a food-based bait and a scent lure and compared catch rates in different seasons of the year. We used the data to model the efficiency rate of the trapping and to determine the trapping effort required to remove 70-90% of the estimated discrete mink population. Between January 2018 and March 2021, we operated 59 trapping transects over 103 three-day trapping periods in southern Chile. Traps were first baited with canned fish, and afterwards with mink anal gland lure. We compared the efficacy of mink capture with that of our previous study. We trapped 196 mink (125 males, 71 females), with most captures in summer. The medium-sized GMV-18 trap caught more male mink, but the more compact GMV-13 caught fewer non-target rodents and no native mammals. The scent lure was more successful than the canned fish when the previous campaign's data were included in the analysis. There was also a significant improvement in the proportion of female mink trapped and reduced labour compared with our previous campaign that used larger traps, fish bait and 400-500 m trap spacings. We caught relatively more females than males after the third night of trapping on a transect. Our data analysis supports the use of the GMV-13 variant of wire cage trap as the best trap size: it is effective on female mink, small, cheap and easy to transport. Combined with mink anal scent lure, it reduces the possibility of trapping native species compared with other traps tested in Chile. As the most efficient method for removing at least 70% of the estimated discrete mink population within the area covered by each trap transect in southern Chile tested to date, we recommend trapping campaigns using GMV-13 during summer, with a 200-m trap spacing, for up to 6 days before moving traps to a new site, with a combination of three days with a female scent gland lure, followed by three days with a male scent gland lure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gonzalo Medina-Vogel
- Centro de Investigación para la Sustentabilidad, Facultad Ciencias de la Vida, Universidad Andrés Bello, República 440, Santiago 8320000, Chile; (M.M.); (C.C.-M.); (M.B.-L.)
| | - Francisco Muñoz
- Instituto de Bioquímica, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Austral de Chile, Isla Teja s/n, Valdivia 5090000, Chile;
| | - Meredith Moeggenberg
- Centro de Investigación para la Sustentabilidad, Facultad Ciencias de la Vida, Universidad Andrés Bello, República 440, Santiago 8320000, Chile; (M.M.); (C.C.-M.); (M.B.-L.)
| | - Carlos Calvo-Mac
- Centro de Investigación para la Sustentabilidad, Facultad Ciencias de la Vida, Universidad Andrés Bello, República 440, Santiago 8320000, Chile; (M.M.); (C.C.-M.); (M.B.-L.)
| | - Macarena Barros-Lama
- Centro de Investigación para la Sustentabilidad, Facultad Ciencias de la Vida, Universidad Andrés Bello, República 440, Santiago 8320000, Chile; (M.M.); (C.C.-M.); (M.B.-L.)
| | - Nickolas Ulloa
- Departamento de Ecología, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Av. Libertador Bernardo O’Higgins 340, Santiago 8331150, Chile;
| | - Daniel J. Pons
- Departamento de Matemáticas, Universidad Andrés Bello, República 298, Santiago 8370035, Chile;
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Barros M, Pons DJ, Moreno A, Vianna J, Ramos B, Dueñas F, Coccia C, Saavedra-Rodríguez R, Santibañez A, Medina-Vogel G. Domestic dog and alien North American mink as reservoirs of infectious diseases in the endangered Southern river otter. AUSTRAL J VET SCI 2022. [DOI: 10.4067/s0719-81322022000200065] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
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Alfaro MAS, Raffo E, Bustos MI, Tomckowiack C, Tejeda C, Collado L, Medina-Vogel G. New insights on the infection of pathogenic Leptospira species in American mink (Neovison vison) in southern Chile. Trop Anim Health Prod 2020; 53:2. [PMID: 33196883 DOI: 10.1007/s11250-020-02469-2] [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: 04/08/2020] [Accepted: 10/29/2020] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Leptospirosis is a zoonosis of global distribution, caused by the infection of pathogenic Leptospira, a group of bacteria capable of infecting both domestic and wild animals. Mink (Neovison vison) in southern Chile is recognized as a wild and synanthropic rodent predator (among various other prey), and Leptospira infection in them can be acquired through contact with the pathogen in the environment or by eating infected prey. Thus, the aim of this study was to provide more specifics regarding the source of the infection for the American mink under the conditions of Southern Chile. Minks were captured in the Los Ríos region, southern Chile, in an area with well-developed dairy farming. Two areas were selected for mink trapping, one with a high degree of dairy farming and a second with a low degree of dairy farming. Within them, 16 study sites were visited, and 45 American mink were trapped and euthanized to obtain kidney tissue and blood serum samples for bacteria isolation and determination of antibodies titers, respectively. Molecular characterization of the isolated strains was performed. Three minks from sites of high-dairy farming industry and only one from sites with low-degree dairy farming were detected as infected through molecular confirmation. This study shows evidence that confirms previous findings made in southern Chile, regarding mink as host of Leptospira interrogans serovar Hardjo-prajitno associated to cattle-farming areas. However, typing information ( Leptospira interrogans Copenhageni and Icterohaemorrhagiae ) suggests that the consumption of rodents may also be a potential source of infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miguel Angel Salgado Alfaro
- Instituto de Medicina Preventiva Veterinaria, Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, Universidad Austral de Chile, Valdivia, Chile.
| | - Eduardo Raffo
- Servicio Agrícola Ganadero; Región de los Ríos, Valdivia, Chile
| | - María Isabel Bustos
- Instituto de Medicina Preventiva Veterinaria, Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, Universidad Austral de Chile, Valdivia, Chile
| | - Camilo Tomckowiack
- Instituto de Medicina Preventiva Veterinaria, Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, Universidad Austral de Chile, Valdivia, Chile
| | - Carlos Tejeda
- Instituto de Medicina Preventiva Veterinaria, Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, Universidad Austral de Chile, Valdivia, Chile
| | - Luis Collado
- Instituto de Bioquímica y Microbiología, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Austral de Chile, Valdivia, Chile
| | - Gonzalo Medina-Vogel
- Centro de Investigación para la Sustentabilidad, Universidad Andrés Bello, Santiago, Chile
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Sepúlveda-García P, Raffo E, Medina-Vogel G, Muñoz F, Muñoz P, Alabí A, Navarrete-Talloni MJ, Gonçalves LR, Califre de Mello VV, Machado RZ, André MR, Bittencourt P, Müller A. Molecular survey of Bartonella spp. and haemoplasmas in American minks (Neovison vison). Transbound Emerg Dis 2020; 68:2094-2110. [PMID: 32985137 DOI: 10.1111/tbed.13857] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [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: 06/01/2020] [Revised: 08/18/2020] [Accepted: 09/19/2020] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
The aim of this study was to perform a molecular survey and characterize Bartonella spp. and haemotropic Mycoplasma (haemoplasmas) in invasive American minks (Neovison vison) from Southern Chile. Additionally, we addressed risk factors for positivity in both groups of agents. Blood and/or tissue samples from 246 minks were analysed by qPCR targeting the nuoG gene for Bartonella spp. and conventional (c)PCR for 16S rRNA for haemotropic Mycoplasma spp. nuoG qPCR-positive Bartonella spp. samples were submitted to cPCR assays (ITS, ribC, gltA, rpoB, pap-31 and ftsZ genes) to perform phylogenetic inferences. Haemotropic Mycoplasma spp. 16S-positive samples were further amplified by cPCR targeting RNaseP gene (160-210 bp) and by two overlapping 16S rRNA cPCR assays to amplify a larger portion of the gene (1,200bp) for phylogenetics. Bartonella DNA was detected in 8.9% of minks (22/246). Out of 22 nuoG qPCR-positive samples, one and two showed positive results in cPCR assays based on ITS and ribC, respectively. Consistent sequencing results were obtained for only one ITS sample (464 bp sequence), which shared 99.6% identity with B. clarridgeiae. Two per cent of minks (5/246) were positive for 16S rRNA haemotropic Mycoplasma-cPCR assay. Two concatenated sequences of 16S rRNA (1,176 and 1,230 bp) were obtained: one sample shared 97.87% identity with haemotropic Mycoplasma sp. from a wild rodent, and the other 96.49% identity with 'Candidatus Mycoplasma haematoparvum' from a dog. All BLAST results were supported by phylogenetic analysis. One haemoplasma RNase P sequence shared 94.86% identity with Mycoplasma haemofelis from a cat. No risk factors for PCR positivity were identified. In a nutshell, Bartonella clarridgeiae and a potentially novel haemoplasma closely related to haemoplasmas previously reported in rodents, dogs, domestic and wild cats were described for the first time in American minks.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Gonzalo Medina-Vogel
- Centro de investigación para la sustentabilidad, Universidad Andrés Bello, Santiago, Chile
| | - Francisco Muñoz
- Centro de investigación para la sustentabilidad, Universidad Andrés Bello, Santiago, Chile
| | - Pamela Muñoz
- Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, Universidad Austral de Chile, Valdivia, Chile
| | - Amir Alabí
- Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, Universidad Austral de Chile, Valdivia, Chile
| | | | - Luiz Ricardo Gonçalves
- Departament of Pathology, Theriogenology and One Health, Universidade Estadual Paulista (FCAV/UNESP), Jaboticabal, Brazil
| | | | - Rosangela Zacarias Machado
- Departament of Pathology, Theriogenology and One Health, Universidade Estadual Paulista (FCAV/UNESP), Jaboticabal, Brazil
| | - Marcos Rogério André
- Departament of Pathology, Theriogenology and One Health, Universidade Estadual Paulista (FCAV/UNESP), Jaboticabal, Brazil
| | - Pedro Bittencourt
- Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine, Basseterre, Saint Kitts and Nevis
| | - Ananda Müller
- Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, Universidad Austral de Chile, Valdivia, Chile.,Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine, Basseterre, Saint Kitts and Nevis
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Astorga F, Poo-Muñoz DA, Organ J, Medina-Vogel G. Why Let the Dogs Out? Exploring Variables Associated with Dog Confinement and General Characteristics of the Free-ranging Owned-Dog Population in a Peri-urban Area. J APPL ANIM WELF SCI 2020; 25:311-325. [PMID: 32985259 DOI: 10.1080/10888705.2020.1820334] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [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: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
Free-ranging dogs (FRDs), are a problem in several countries, with impacts on humans, domestic animals, and wildlife, although increasing evidence suggests that most FRDs are owned. Therefore, understanding dog ownership on a fine scale is critical. The main objectives of this study were to explore dog management in rural localities from central Chile focusing on modeling owner-related variables associated with dog confinement and characterize confined and FRDs populations. Interviews (170) were carried out in Paine municipality, reporting a human:dog ratio of 1.5:1, and dogs in most households (85.9%, 146/170). Thirty-seven percent (54/146) of those households did not confine their dog(s) to some degree, and 41% (196/472) of surveyed dogs were FRD. Based on multivariable logistic regression models, non-confinement was decreased by (i) negative opinion of owners toward roaming behavior of their dogs, (ii) negative opinion toward FRDs, among others. Dog confinement increased along with owners' concerns about the impacts of their dogs on others. Owned-FRDs tended to have poorer general care than confined dogs. Our findings represent a contribution to the understanding of the human dimensions behind FRDs and provide critical quantitative elements to consider when planning effective control strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francisca Astorga
- Núcleo de Investigaciones Aplicadas en Ciencias Veterinarias y Agronómicas, Universidad de las Américas, Santiago, Chile
| | | | - John Organ
- U.S. Geological Survey, Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Units, Reston, VA, USA
| | - Gonzalo Medina-Vogel
- Centro de Investigación para la Sustentabilidad, Universidad Andres Bello, Santiago, Chile
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Johansson H, Ellström P, Artursson K, Berg C, Bonnedahl J, Hansson I, Hernandez J, Lopez-Martín J, Medina-Vogel G, Moreno L, Olsen B, Olsson Engvall E, Skarin H, Troell K, Waldenström J, Ågren J, González-Acuña D. Characterization of Campylobacter spp. isolated from wild birds in the Antarctic and Sub-Antarctic. PLoS One 2018; 13:e0206502. [PMID: 30412585 PMCID: PMC6226163 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0206502] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [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: 02/01/2018] [Accepted: 10/15/2018] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
A lack of knowledge of naturally occurring pathogens is limiting our ability to use the Antarctic to study the impact human-mediated introduction of infectious microorganisms have on this relatively uncontaminated environment. As no large-scale coordinated effort to remedy this lack of knowledge has taken place, we rely on smaller targeted efforts to both study present microorganisms and monitor the environment for introductions. In one such effort, we isolated Campylobacter species from fecal samples collected from wild birds in the Antarctic Peninsula and the sub-Antarctic island of South Georgia. Indeed, in South Georgia, we found Campylobacter lari and the closely related Campylobacter peloridis, but also distantly related human-associated multilocus sequence types of Campylobacter jejuni. In contrast, in the Antarctic Peninsula, we found C. lari and two closely related species, Campylobacter subantarcticus and Campylobacter volucris, but no signs of human introduction. In fact, our finding of human-associated sequence types of C. jejuni in South Georgia, but not in the Antarctic Peninsula, suggests that efforts to limit the spread of infectious microorganisms to the Antarctic have so far been successful in preventing the introduction of C. jejuni. However, we do not know how it came to South Georgia and whether the same mode of introduction could spread it from there to the Antarctic Peninsula.
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Affiliation(s)
- Håkan Johansson
- Centre for Ecology and Evolution in Microbial Model Systems, Linnaeus University, Kalmar, Sweden
| | - Patrik Ellström
- Zoonosis Science Center, Department of Medical Biochemistry and Microbiology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
- Department of Medical Sciences, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | | | - Charlotte Berg
- Department of Animal Environment and Health, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Skara, Sweden
| | - Jonas Bonnedahl
- Centre for Ecology and Evolution in Microbial Model Systems, Linnaeus University, Kalmar, Sweden
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Kalmar County Hospital, Kalmar, Sweden
| | - Ingrid Hansson
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Veterinary Public Health, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Jorge Hernandez
- Zoonosis Science Center, Department of Medical Biochemistry and Microbiology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
- Laboratory of Microbiology, Kalmar County Hospital, Kalmar, Sweden
| | - Juana Lopez-Martín
- Departamento de Patología y Medicina Preventiva, Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, Universidad de Concepción, Chillán, Chile
| | - Gonzalo Medina-Vogel
- Centro de Investigación para la Sustentabilidad, Universidad Andrés Bello, Santiago, Chile
| | - Lucila Moreno
- Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Oceanográficas, Universidad de Concepción, Concepción, Chile
| | - Björn Olsen
- Zoonosis Science Center, Department of Medical Biochemistry and Microbiology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
- Department of Medical Sciences, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | | | | | | | - Jonas Waldenström
- Centre for Ecology and Evolution in Microbial Model Systems, Linnaeus University, Kalmar, Sweden
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Barros M, Cabezón O, Dubey JP, Almería S, Ribas MP, Escobar LE, Ramos B, Medina-Vogel G. Toxoplasma gondii infection in wild mustelids and cats across an urban-rural gradient. PLoS One 2018; 13:e0199085. [PMID: 29924844 PMCID: PMC6010287 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0199085] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [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: 05/12/2017] [Accepted: 05/31/2018] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The increase in human population and domestic pets, such as cats, are generating important consequences in terms of habitat loss and pathogen pollution of coastal ecosystems with potential to generate negative impacts in marine biodiversity. Toxoplasma gondii is the etiological agent of zoonotic disease toxoplasmosis, and is associated with cat abundance and anthropogenic disturbance. The presence of T. gondii oocysts in the ocean has negatively affected the health status of the threatened Southern sea otter (Enhydra lutris nereis) populations. The present study analyzed seroprevalence and presence of T. gondii DNA in American mink (Neovison vison), Southern river otters (Lontra provocax) and domestic cats (Felis silvestris catus) in four different areas in Southern Chile comprising studies in rivers and lakes in Andean foothills and mountains, marine habitat and island coastal ecosystems. Mean seroprevalence of T. gondii in the study was 64% of 151 total animals sampled: 59% of 73 American mink, 77% of 13 Southern river otters, 68% of 65 domestic cats and in two of two kodkods (Leopardus guigna). Toxoplasma gondii DNA was detected in tissues from one American mink and one Southern river otter. The present study confirms the widespread distribution of T. gondii in Southern Chile, and shows a high exposure of semiaquatic mustelids and domestic cats to the parasite. Cats and anthropogenic disturbance have a role in the maintenance of T. gondii infection in ecosystems of southern Chile.
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Affiliation(s)
- Macarena Barros
- Centro de Investigacion para la Sustentabilidad, Universidad Andres Bello, República, Santiago, Chile
| | - Oscar Cabezón
- UAB, Centre de Recerca en Sanitat Animal (CReSA, IRTA-UAB), Campus de la Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, Spain
- Servei d'Ecopatologia de Fauna Salvatge, Departament de Medicina I Cirugia Animals, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, Spain
| | - Jitender P. Dubey
- Animal Parasitic Diseases Laboratory, Beltsville Agricultural Research Center, Agricultural Research Service, United States Department of Agriculture, Beltsville, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Sonia Almería
- UAB, Centre de Recerca en Sanitat Animal (CReSA, IRTA-UAB), Campus de la Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, Spain
- Departament de Sanitat I d´Anatomia Animals, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, Spain
| | - María P. Ribas
- UAB, Centre de Recerca en Sanitat Animal (CReSA, IRTA-UAB), Campus de la Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, Spain
- Servei d'Ecopatologia de Fauna Salvatge, Departament de Medicina I Cirugia Animals, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, Spain
| | - Luis E. Escobar
- Department of Fish and Wildlife Conservation, Virginia Tech., Blacksburg, Virginia, United States of America
| | - Barbara Ramos
- Centro de Investigacion para la Sustentabilidad, Universidad Andres Bello, República, Santiago, Chile
| | - Gonzalo Medina-Vogel
- Centro de Investigacion para la Sustentabilidad, Universidad Andres Bello, República, Santiago, Chile
- * E-mail:
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Mora M, Medina-Vogel G, Sepúlveda MA, Noll D, Álvarez-Varas R, Vianna JA. Genetic structure of introduced American mink (Neovison vison) in Patagonia: colonisation insights and implications for control and management strategies. Wildl Res 2018. [DOI: 10.1071/wr18026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Context
Biological invasions have caused dramatic changes in native biodiversity and ecosystem function. Studies of genetic variation and evolutionary changes are useful for understanding population dynamics during biological invasions, and shed light on management, prevention and restoration strategies.
Aims
This study aimed to investigate the structure and genetic variability of American mink (Neovison vison), an invasive species in southern South America, introduced for fur farming in the 1930s.
Methods
Samples from 153 mink were obtained from 12 locations in southern Chile to sequence the mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) control region and to genotype 11 polymorphic microsatellite loci.
Key results
The highest mtDNA diversity was detected in Puerto Cisnes, suggesting multiple introductions and/or the most probable area where mink was first introduced. The latter is also supported by microsatellite data, because a high percentage of individuals from different locations were assigned to this location. All other locations showed low or no mtDNA diversity, possibly due to founder effect. The results also indicate marked population structure, with three genetic clusters coincident with the main historical introduction points, with low dispersal among them.
Conclusions
The results suggest that control strategies for American mink in southern Chile should be concentrated on these three genetically differentiated management units, and particularly on source populations and locations with low effective population size and restricted connectivity.
Implications
Genetic approaches have been used for the management of numerous alien species worldwide. Recommendations delivered here for American mink control could also be implemented in other regions and for other invasive species with similar genetic diversity distribution and connectivity.
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Retamal P, Llanos-Soto S, Salas LM, López J, Vianna J, Hernández J, Medina-Vogel G, Castañeda F, Fresno M, González-Acuña D. Isolation of drug-resistant Salmonella enterica serovar enteritidis strains in gentoo penguins from Antarctica. Polar Biol 2017. [DOI: 10.1007/s00300-017-2163-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
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Poo-Muñoz DA, Elizondo-Patrone C, Escobar LE, Astorga F, Bermúdez SE, Martínez-Valdebenito C, Abarca K, Medina-Vogel G. Fleas and Ticks in Carnivores From a Domestic-Wildlife Interface: Implications for Public Health and Wildlife. J Med Entomol 2016; 53:1433-1443. [PMID: 27539151 DOI: 10.1093/jme/tjw124] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2016] [Accepted: 07/16/2016] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
Fleas and ticks are parasites of wild and domestic mammals, and can be vectors of several pathogens. In rural areas, domestic carnivores such as the domestic dog (Canis lupus familiaris L.), may act as a "bridge" between natural areas and human settlements where ectoparasites can be used as a metric of such link. The aim of this study was to identify fleas, ticks, and Rickettsia spp., collected from domestic and wild carnivores in a natural reserve and surrounding human settlements in Central Chile, using morphological keys and molecular analysis. We surveyed 170 households from which 107 dogs and eight cats were sampled. From the natural reserve, we sampled two chilla foxes (Pseudalopex griseus Gray), two lesser grison (Galictis cuja Molina), three kodkods (Leopardus guigna Molina), and four dogs. From dogs, we collected Ctenocephalides felis Bouché, Ctenocephalides canis Curtis, Pulex irritans L., and Rhipicephalus sanguineus s.l. Latreille; C. felis was the most frequent ectoparasite. Cats were infested only by C. felis and Rh. sanguineus s.l. From wild carnivores, we obtained C. canis and P. irritans, the latter being most frequent. Molecular analysis of P. irritans detected 10 haplotypes and two main clades, which tended to separate fleas from wild and domestic hosts. Molecular analysis of ompA and ompB genes confirmed the presence of Rickettsia felis in fleas collected from owned dogs and cats, which could represent a potential risk factor of R. felis transmission in the area.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniela A Poo-Muñoz
- Facultad de Ecología y Recursos Naturales, Universidad Andres Bello, Av. República 252, Santiago, Chile (; ; ; )
- Escuela de Medicina Veterinaria, Universidad Santo Tomás Sede Temuco, Manuel Rodríguez 060, Temuco, Chile
| | - Claudia Elizondo-Patrone
- Facultad de Ecología y Recursos Naturales, Universidad Andres Bello, Av. República 252, Santiago, Chile (; ; ; )
- Genética de la Conservación-Departamento de Biodiversidad y Genética -IIBCE- MEC, Av. Italia 3318, Montevideo 11600, Uruguay
| | - Luis E Escobar
- Minnesota Aquatic Invasive Species Research Center, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, MN 55108, USA
- Department of Veterinary Population Medicine, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, MN 55108, USA
| | - Francisca Astorga
- Facultad de Ecología y Recursos Naturales, Universidad Andres Bello, Av. República 252, Santiago, Chile (; ; ; )
| | - Sergio E Bermúdez
- Departamento de Investigación en Entomología Médica, Instituto Conmemorativo Gorgas de Estudios de la Salud, Panamá
| | - Constanza Martínez-Valdebenito
- Departamento de Enfermedades Infecciosas e Inmunología, Facultad de Medicina, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile (; )
| | - Katia Abarca
- Departamento de Enfermedades Infecciosas e Inmunología, Facultad de Medicina, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile (; )
| | - Gonzalo Medina-Vogel
- Facultad de Ecología y Recursos Naturales, Universidad Andres Bello, Av. República 252, Santiago, Chile (; ; ; )
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Escobar LE, Yung V, Vargas-Rodríguez R, Medina-Vogel G, Favi M. [Wildlife veterinarians rabies vaccination in Chile: a survey]. Rev Chilena Infectol 2016; 32:289-93. [PMID: 26230435 DOI: 10.4067/s0716-10182015000400006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2014] [Accepted: 04/07/2015] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Rabies is a lethal but preventable disease. Knowing the extent of immunization coverage among at risk populations, may help to guide immunization efforts, as well as increase the effectiveness of rabies control and prevention programs. AIM To determine the proportion of wildlife veterinarians in Chile, as part of a group at risk of rabies transmission. METHODS An electronic survey was sent to wildlife veterinarians in Chile. RESULTS We found that veterinarians in Chile work mainly with carnivores and deer compared to other mammals (p < 0.001), rarely works with bats (p = 0.6572). Most of the participants had been bitten by domestic animals, while a lesser proportion (29%) by wild animals. Most of the participants never received rabies vaccination (53%), while within the group that had started a rabies vaccination scheme, a substantial proportion (39%) did not complete it. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION Identify the vaccination status of risk groups is important for infectious disease control and prevention programs, as this information helps to identify priority groups during outbreaks or vaccine scarcity. Wildlife veterinarians in Chile are at risk of rabies transmission and should be included in rabies prevention programs, especially considering their vulnerability and lack of biosafety practices. Increasing education in rabies epidemiology and prevention is urgently needed in veterinary faculties in Chile.
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Medina-Vogel G, Barros M, Monsalve R, Pons DJ. Assessment of the efficiency in trapping North American mink (Neovison vison) for population control in Patagonia. Rev Chil de Hist Nat 2015. [DOI: 10.1186/s40693-015-0040-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
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Escobar LE, Peterson AT, Papeş M, Favi M, Yung V, Restif O, Qiao H, Medina-Vogel G. Ecological approaches in veterinary epidemiology: mapping the risk of bat-borne rabies using vegetation indices and night-time light satellite imagery. Vet Res 2015; 46:92. [PMID: 26338730 PMCID: PMC4558958 DOI: 10.1186/s13567-015-0235-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2015] [Accepted: 08/10/2015] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Rabies remains a disease of significant public health concern. In the Americas, bats are an important source of rabies for pets, livestock, and humans. For effective rabies control and prevention, identifying potential areas for disease occurrence is critical to guide future research, inform public health policies, and design interventions. To anticipate zoonotic infectious diseases distribution at coarse scale, veterinary epidemiology needs to advance via exploring current geographic ecology tools and data using a biological approach. We analyzed bat-borne rabies reports in Chile from 2002 to 2012 to establish associations between rabies occurrence and environmental factors to generate an ecological niche model (ENM). The main rabies reservoir in Chile is the bat species Tadarida brasiliensis; we mapped 726 occurrences of rabies virus variant AgV4 in this bat species and integrated them with contemporary Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) data from the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS). The correct prediction of areas with rabies in bats and the reliable anticipation of human rabies in our study illustrate the usefulness of ENM for mapping rabies and other zoonotic pathogens. Additionally, we highlight critical issues with selection of environmental variables, methods for model validation, and consideration of sampling bias. Indeed, models with weak or incorrect validation approaches should be interpreted with caution. In conclusion, ecological niche modeling applications for mapping disease risk at coarse geographic scales have a promising future, especially with refinement and enrichment of models with additional information, such as night-time light data, which increased substantially the model’s ability to anticipate human rabies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luis E Escobar
- Facultad de Ecología y Recursos Naturales, Universidad Andres Bello, Av. República 440, Santiago, Chile. .,Center for Global Health and Translational Science, SUNY Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, New York, USA.
| | | | - Monica Papeş
- Department of Integrative Biology, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, Oklahoma, 74078, USA.
| | - Myriam Favi
- Sección Rabia, Instituto de Salud Publica de Chile, Av. Maraton 1000, Ñuñoa, Chile.
| | - Veronica Yung
- Sección Rabia, Instituto de Salud Publica de Chile, Av. Maraton 1000, Ñuñoa, Chile.
| | - Olivier Restif
- Disease Dynamics Unit, Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Cambridge, Madingley Road, Cambridge, CB3 0ES, UK.
| | - Huijie Qiao
- Key Laboratory of Animal Ecology and Conservation Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Science, Beijing, China.
| | - Gonzalo Medina-Vogel
- Facultad de Ecología y Recursos Naturales, Universidad Andres Bello, Av. República 440, Santiago, Chile.
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Abstract
The situation of rabies in America is complex: rabies in dogs has
decreased dramatically, but bats are increasingly recognized as natural reservoirs of
other rabies variants. Here, bat species known to be rabies-positive with different
antigenic variants, are summarized in relation to bat conservation status across
Latin America. Rabies virus is widespread in Latin American bat species, 22.5%75 of bat species have been confirmed as rabies-positive. Most bat species found
rabies positive are classified by the International Union for Conservation of Nature
as “Least Concern”. According to diet type, insectivorous bats had the most species
known as rabies reservoirs, while in proportion hematophagous bats were the most
important. Research at coarse spatial scales must strive to understand rabies
ecology; basic information on distribution and population dynamics of many Latin
American and Caribbean bat species is needed; and detailed information on effects of
landscape change in driving bat-borne rabies outbreaks remains unassessed. Finally,
integrated approaches including public health, ecology, and conservation biology are
needed to understand and prevent emergent diseases in bats.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luis E Escobar
- Facultad de Ecología y Recursos Naturales, Universidad Andres Bello, Santiago Centro, Chile
| | | | - Myriam Favi
- Sección Rabia, Subdepartamento de Virología, Instituto de Salud Pública de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Verónica Yung
- Sección Rabia, Subdepartamento de Virología, Instituto de Salud Pública de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Gonzalo Medina-Vogel
- Facultad de Ecología y Recursos Naturales, Universidad Andres Bello, Santiago Centro, Chile
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Astorga F, Poo-Muñoz DA, Escobar LE, Medina-Vogel G. In response to: "Increased dog population and potential for bat-borne rabies spillover in Chile in response to "Dog management, abundance and potential for bat-borne rabies spillover in Chile" by Astorga et al. [Prev. Vet. Med. 118:397-405]" by Acosta-Jammet, G. Prev Vet Med 2015; 120:248-249. [PMID: 25921250 DOI: 10.1016/j.prevetmed.2015.04.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2015] [Revised: 04/01/2015] [Accepted: 04/02/2015] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Francisca Astorga
- Facultad de Ecología y Recursos Naturales, Universidad Andres Bello, República 252, Santiago, Chile
| | - Daniela A Poo-Muñoz
- Facultad de Ecología y Recursos Naturales, Universidad Andres Bello, República 252, Santiago, Chile
| | - Luis Emilio Escobar
- Center for Global Health and Translational Science, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, State University of New York, Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, NY, USA
| | - Gonzalo Medina-Vogel
- Facultad de Ecología y Recursos Naturales, Universidad Andres Bello, República 252, Santiago, Chile.
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Astorga F, Escobar LE, Poo-Muñoz DA, Medina-Vogel G. Dog ownership, abundance and potential for bat-borne rabies spillover in Chile. Prev Vet Med 2015; 118:397-405. [PMID: 25656549 DOI: 10.1016/j.prevetmed.2015.01.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2014] [Revised: 12/31/2014] [Accepted: 01/03/2015] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
Rabies is a viral infectious disease that affects all mammals, including humans. Factors associated with the incidence of rabies include the presence and density of susceptible hosts and potential reservoirs. Currently, Chile is declared free of canine-related rabies, but there is an overpopulation of dogs within the country and an emergence of rabies in bats. Our objectives are to determine potential areas for bat-borne rabies spillover into dog populations expressed as a risk map, and to explore some key features of dog ownership, abundance, and management in Chile. For the risk map, our variables included a dog density surface (dog/km(2)) and a distribution model of bat-borne rabies presence. From literature review, we obtained dog data from 112 municipalities, which represent 33% of the total municipalities (339). At country level, based on previous studies the median human per dog ratio was 4.8, with 64% of houses containing at least one dog, and a median of 0.9 dog per house. We estimate a national median of 5.3 dog/km(2), and a median of 3680 dogs by municipality, from which we estimate a total population of 3.5×10(6) owned dogs. The antirabies vaccination presented a median of 21% of dogs by municipality, and 29% are unrestricted to some degree. Human per dog ratio have a significant (but weak) negative association with human density. Unrestricted dogs have a negative association with human density and income, and a positive association with the number of dogs per house. Considering dog density by municipality, and areas of potential bat-borne rabies occurrence, we found that 163 (∼48%) of Chilean municipalities are at risk of rabies spillover from bats to dogs. Risk areas are concentrated in urban settlements, including Santiago, Chile's capital. To validate the risk map, we included cases of rabies in dogs from the last 27 years; all fell within high-risk areas of our map, confirming the assertive risk prediction. Our results suggest that the use of dog population parameters may be informative to determine risk areas for bat-rabies spillover events. In addition, we confirm that dog abundance is a neglected and emerging public health concern in Chile, particularly within urban areas, which deserves prompt intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- F Astorga
- Facultad de Ecología y Recursos Naturales, Universidad Andres Bello, República 252, Santiago, Chile
| | - L E Escobar
- Facultad de Ecología y Recursos Naturales, Universidad Andres Bello, República 252, Santiago, Chile; Center for Global Health and Translational Science, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, State University of New York, Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, NY, USA
| | - D A Poo-Muñoz
- Facultad de Ecología y Recursos Naturales, Universidad Andres Bello, República 252, Santiago, Chile
| | - G Medina-Vogel
- Facultad de Ecología y Recursos Naturales, Universidad Andres Bello, República 252, Santiago, Chile.
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Escobar LE, Lira-Noriega A, Medina-Vogel G, Townsend Peterson A. Potential for spread of the white-nose fungus (Pseudogymnoascus destructans) in the Americas: use of Maxent and NicheA to assure strict model transference. Geospat Health 2014; 9:221-229. [PMID: 25545939 DOI: 10.4081/gh.2014.19] [Citation(s) in RCA: 112] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
Emerging infectious diseases can present serious threats to wildlife, even to the point of causing extinction. Whitenose fungus (Pseudogymnoascus destructans) is causing an epizootic in bats that is expanding rapidly, both geographically and taxonomically. Little is known of the ecology and distributional potential of this intercontinental pathogen. We address this gap via ecological niche models that characterise coarse resolution niche differences between fungus populations on different continents, identifying areas potentially vulnerable to infection in South America. Here we explore a novel approach to identifying areas of potential distribution across novel geographic regions that avoids perilious extrapolation into novel environments. European and North American fungus populations show differential use of environmental space, but rather than niche differentiation, we find that changes are best attributed to climatic differences between the two continents. Suitable areas for spread of the pathogen were identified across southern South America; however caution should be taken to avoid underestimating the potential for spread of this pathogen in South America.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luis E Escobar
- Facultad de Ecología y Recursos Naturales, Universidad Andres Bello, Santiago, Chile
| | | | - Gonzalo Medina-Vogel
- Facultad de Ecología y Recursos Naturales, Universidad Andres Bello, Santiago, Chile
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Poo-Muñoz DA, Escobar LE, Peterson AT, Astorga F, Organ JF, Medina-Vogel G. Galictis cuja (Mammalia): an update of current knowledge and geographic distribution. Iheringia, Sér Zool 2014. [DOI: 10.1590/1678-476620141043341346] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
The lesser grison (Galictis cuja) is one of the least-known mustelids in the Neotropics, despite its broad range across South America. This study aimed to explore current knowledge of the distribution of the species to identify gaps in knowledge and anticipate its full geographic distribution. Eighty-nine articles have mentioned G. cuja since 1969, but only 13 focused on the species. We generated a detailed model of the species' potential distribution that validated previous maps, but with improved detail, supporting previous southernmost records, and providing a means of identifying priority sites for conservation and management of the species.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Luis E. Escobar
- Universidad Andres Bello, Chile; State University of New York; Upstate Medical University, USA
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Escobar LE, Peterson AT, Favi M, Yung V, Pons DJ, Medina-Vogel G. Ecology and geography of transmission of two bat-borne rabies lineages in Chile. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2013; 7:e2577. [PMID: 24349592 PMCID: PMC3861194 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0002577] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2013] [Accepted: 10/25/2013] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Rabies was known to humans as a disease thousands of years ago. In America, insectivorous bats are natural reservoirs of rabies virus. The bat species Tadarida brasiliensis and Lasiurus cinereus, with their respective, host-specific rabies virus variants AgV4 and AgV6, are the principal rabies reservoirs in Chile. However, little is known about the roles of bat species in the ecology and geographic distribution of the virus. This contribution aims to address a series of questions regarding the ecology of rabies transmission in Chile. Analyzing records from 1985–2011 at the Instituto de Salud Pública de Chile (ISP) and using ecological niche modeling, we address these questions to help in understanding rabies-bat ecological dynamics in South America. We found ecological niche identity between both hosts and both viral variants, indicating that niches of all actors in the system are undifferentiated, although the viruses do not necessarily occupy the full geographic distributions of their hosts. Bat species and rabies viruses share similar niches, and our models had significant predictive power even across unsampled regions; results thus suggest that outbreaks may occur under consistent, stable, and predictable circumstances. The situation of rabies in America has been changing: rabies in dogs has decreased considerably, but bats are increasingly documented as natural reservoirs of other rabies variants. A significant gap exists in understanding of bat-borne rabies in Latin America. We identified bat species known to be connected with enzootic rabies with different antigenic variants in Chile, and compiled large-scale data sets by which to test for ecological niche differences among virus lineages and bat hosts. Our results begin to characterize important ecological factors affecting rabies distribution; modeling rabies in Chile allows comparisons across different latitudes and diverse landscapes. We found that rabies virus strains are found in similar environments, regardless of the bat host involved. This research improves understanding of bat-borne rabies dynamics, and important step towards preventing and controlling this and other emergent diseases linked to bats.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luis E. Escobar
- Facultad de Ecología y Recursos Naturales, Universidad Andres Bello, Santiago, Chile
| | - A. Townsend Peterson
- Biodiversity Institute, University of Kansas, Lawrence, Kansas, United States of America
| | - Myriam Favi
- Sección Rabia, Subdepartamento Virología, Instituto de Salud Pública de Chile, Ñuñoa, Santiago, Chile
| | - Verónica Yung
- Sección Rabia, Subdepartamento Virología, Instituto de Salud Pública de Chile, Ñuñoa, Santiago, Chile
| | - Daniel J. Pons
- Departamento de Matemática, Universidad Andres Bello, Santiago, Chile
| | - Gonzalo Medina-Vogel
- Facultad de Ecología y Recursos Naturales, Universidad Andres Bello, Santiago, Chile
- * E-mail:
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Vianna JA, Ayerdi P, Medina-Vogel G, Mangel JC, Zeballos H, Apaza M, Faugeron S. Phylogeography of the Marine Otter (Lontra felina): historical and contemporary factors determining its distribution. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2010; 101:676-89. [PMID: 20688888 DOI: 10.1093/jhered/esq088] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
The evolutionary history of a species can be revealed by phylogeographical analysis; nevertheless, not only historical but also contemporary processes can imprint on the distribution of genetic diversity. We report on the phylogeny of Lontra ssp. in South America, and the role of spatial heterogeneity in shaping the distribution and population structure of the endangered marine otter, Lontra felina. Analyzing a total of 2261 bp of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) revealed the recent divergence of L. felina from L. provocax. A strong population structure (Φ(st) = 0.83, P < 0.0001) and a significant pattern of isolation by distance were described for L. felina (n = 168) across a wide geographical distribution (13°53'S to 43°36'S). Lontra felina mtDNA phylogeny is composed of 2 main clades: a clade from Peru and another composed of Chilean haplotypes. Northern populations show different divergent lineages and higher genetic diversity when compared with more recently colonized southern populations. Furthermore, long sandy beaches seem to act as barriers to dispersal, creating 2 evolutionary significant units in agreement with subspecies previous description, and at least 5 different management units (MUs). At a fine spatial scale, the size of rocky seashore patches, the distance between patches and anthropogenic factors also play important roles in species gene flow.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juliana A Vianna
- Departamento de Ecología y Biodiversidad, Facultad de Ecología y Recursos Naturales, Universidad Andrés Bello, Republica 440, código postal 8370251, Santiago, Chile
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Sepúlveda MA, Bartheld JL, Meynard C, Benavides M, Astorga C, Parra D, Medina-Vogel G. Landscape features and crustacean prey as predictors of the Southern river otter distribution in Chile. Anim Conserv 2009. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1469-1795.2009.00304.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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Medina-Vogel G, Gonzalez-Lagos C. Habitat use and diet of endangered southern river otter Lontra provocax in a predominantly palustrine wetland in Chile. Wildlife Biology 2008. [DOI: 10.2981/0909-6396(2008)14[211:huadoe]2.0.co;2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/01/2022]
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Medina-Vogel G, Merino LO, Monsalve Alarcón R, Vianna JDA. Coastal–marine discontinuities, critical patch size and isolation: implications for marine otter conservation. Anim Conserv 2008. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1469-1795.2007.00151.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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Medina-Vogel G, Boher F, Flores G, Santibañez A, Soto-Azat C. Spacing Behavior of Marine Otters (Lontra felina) in Relation to Land Refuges and Fishery Waste in Central Chile. J Mammal 2007. [DOI: 10.1644/06-mamm-a081r1.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
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Soto-Azat C, Boher F, Flores G, Mora E, Santibañez A, Medina-Vogel G. Reversible anesthesia in wild marine otters (Lontra felina) using ketamine and medetomidine. J Zoo Wildl Med 2007; 37:535-8. [PMID: 17315440 DOI: 10.1638/05-067.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Nine marine otters (Lontra felina) were anesthetized 15 times with a combination of ketamine (5.3 +/- 0.9 [range: 4.5-8.0] mg/kg) and medetomidine (53 - 9 [range: 45-80] microg/kg) i.m. by hand syringe for the placement of radiotransmitters. Times to initial effect and induction period ranged from 1.1 to 5.0 min and 1.8 to 5.4 min, respectively. Minor complications did occur, including mild hypothermia in six otters and severe hypoxemia in one otter. After 34 and 63 min, anesthesia was antagonized with atipamezole (226 +/- 29 [range: 179-265] microg/kg) and all otters recovered within 3.3-26.8 min.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudio Soto-Azat
- Faculties of Veterinary Science, Universidad Austral de Chile, P.O. Box 567, Valdivia, Chile
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Medina-Vogel G, Bartheld JL, Pacheco RA, Rodríguez CD. Population assessment and habitat use by marine otter Lontra felina in southern Chile. Wildlife Biology 2006. [DOI: 10.2981/0909-6396(2006)12[191:paahub]2.0.co;2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/01/2022]
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