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Muñoz-Hernández C, Wipf A, Ortega N, Barberá GG, Salinas J, Gonzálvez M, Martínez-Carrasco C, Candela MG. Serological and molecular survey of canine distemper virus in red foxes (Vulpes vulpes): Exploring cut-off values and the use of protein A in ELISA tests. Prev Vet Med 2023; 221:106075. [PMID: 37984159 DOI: 10.1016/j.prevetmed.2023.106075] [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: 07/27/2023] [Revised: 10/18/2023] [Accepted: 11/07/2023] [Indexed: 11/22/2023]
Abstract
The wide distribution and ecological plasticity of the red fox (Vulpes vulpes) make it a potential reservoir for many infectious diseases shared with domestic and wild carnivores. One of such diseases is canine distemper, which is caused by an RNA virus and its main domestic reservoir is the dog. However, other carnivores can also participate in its maintenance, as shown by the recent upsurge of reported cases in wildlife in many parts of the world, and by the fact that red foxes may act as true reservoirs for canine distemper virus (CDV). The lack of validated serological tests for wildlife or other non-target species may be a handicap for monitoring this virus. In this study, serological assays were compared in 147 red fox sera using a commercial ELISA validated for its use in dogs and a non-specific modified ELISA with Protein A peroxidase conjugate to detect bound antibodies. In addition, the presence of CDV RNA in brain, spleen, lung, and liver samples from 144 foxes was investigated by a RT-qPCR. Through the comparison of the results of both ELISAs and the use of a finite mixture model of the optical density values obtained by both techniques, we adjusted the cut-off point of the commercial ELISA to obtain the seroprevalence in foxes. The overall seroprevalence detected was 53.7% (79/147) and 57.1% (84/147) by the commercial and modified ELISA, respectively, with a moderate agreement according to Cohen's Kappa statistic (κ = 0.491, z = 5.97, p < 0.0001). CDV RNA was detected in 30 out of 144 foxes, which resulted in 20.8% of CDV-infected foxes. At individual level, the results obtained by relating the serological status and the presence/absence of RNA in different organs were explained in terms of the pathogenesis of the infection. Our results highlight the convenience of adjusting the cut-off point when using an ELISA assay developed in domestic dogs for its use in foxes. Moreover, Protein A is confirmed to be a good alternative to be used in red foxes, presenting a good reactivity towards its IgG.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Muñoz-Hernández
- Departamento de Sanidad Animal, Facultad de Veterinaria, Campus de Excelencia Internacional Regional "Campus Mare Nostrum", Universidad de Murcia, 30100 Murcia, Spain; Grupo Sanidad y Biotecnología (SaBio), Instituto de Investigación en Recursos Cinegéticos, IREC (CSIC-UCLM-JCCM), 13005 Ciudad Real, Spain.
| | - A Wipf
- Departamento de Sanidad Animal, Facultad de Veterinaria, Campus de Excelencia Internacional Regional "Campus Mare Nostrum", Universidad de Murcia, 30100 Murcia, Spain.
| | - N Ortega
- Departamento de Sanidad Animal, Facultad de Veterinaria, Campus de Excelencia Internacional Regional "Campus Mare Nostrum", Universidad de Murcia, 30100 Murcia, Spain.
| | - G G Barberá
- Department of Water and Soil Conservation, CEBAS-CSIC, Campus Universitario, Espinardo 30100, Spain.
| | - J Salinas
- Departamento de Sanidad Animal, Facultad de Veterinaria, Campus de Excelencia Internacional Regional "Campus Mare Nostrum", Universidad de Murcia, 30100 Murcia, Spain.
| | - M Gonzálvez
- Departamento de Sanidad Animal, Facultad de Veterinaria, Campus de Excelencia Internacional Regional "Campus Mare Nostrum", Universidad de Murcia, 30100 Murcia, Spain; Departamento de Sanidad Animal, Grupo de Investigación en Sanidad Animal y Zoonosis (GISAZ), Universidad de Córdoba, 14014 Córdoba, Spain.
| | - C Martínez-Carrasco
- Departamento de Sanidad Animal, Facultad de Veterinaria, Campus de Excelencia Internacional Regional "Campus Mare Nostrum", Universidad de Murcia, 30100 Murcia, Spain.
| | - M G Candela
- Departamento de Sanidad Animal, Facultad de Veterinaria, Campus de Excelencia Internacional Regional "Campus Mare Nostrum", Universidad de Murcia, 30100 Murcia, Spain.
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Candela MG, Fanelli A, Carvalho J, Serrano E, Domenech G, Alonso F, Martínez-Carrasco C. Urban landscape and infection risk in free-roaming cats. Zoonoses Public Health 2022; 69:295-311. [PMID: 35129882 PMCID: PMC9304129 DOI: 10.1111/zph.12919] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [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: 05/11/2021] [Revised: 12/12/2021] [Accepted: 01/23/2022] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Despite public concern on the role of free‐roaming cats as reservoirs of zoonotic agents, little is known about the influence of urban and peri‐urban landscapes on the exposure risk. We evaluated the seroprevalence of three zoonotic agents (Chlamydia felis, Coxiella burnetii and Toxoplasma gondii) in domestic cats (Felis catus). Two hundred and ninety‐one free‐roaming cats were trapped in Murcia municipality (Southeast Spain), and their sera were tested for specific antibodies against T. gondii using a modified agglutination test (MAT), and for C. felis, C. burnetii and feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) antibodies with ELISA technique. Pathogen seroprevalence at 95% CI was calculated for each sex and age category (up to and over 12 months) and compared with a chi‐squared test. The role of human population density and urban landscape characteristics on the risk of pathogen exposure in the cat population was explored using generalized linear models. Seropositivity against a single pathogen was found in 60% of the cats, while 19% was seropositive for two or three pathogens. Seroprevalence of C. felis was 8% (CI95%: 5–11), 37% (CI95%: 31–42) for C. burnetii and 42% (CI95%: 36–47) for T. gondii. In addition to these three pathogens, FIV seropositivity was low (1%, CI95%: −0.1 to 2) and adult cats were more likely to be seropositive to C. burnetii than young individuals (OR: 2.3, CI95%: 1.2–4.2). No sex or age class differences in seroprevalence were observed for the rest of the pathogens. Seropositivity was correlated with water surface areas for C. felis, and not with crop areas. Coxiella burnetii seropositivity was correlated with the percentage of urban areas (continuous with only buildings and discontinuous, that include buildings, parks, and pedestrian and urban green areas), human population size and peri‐urban areas with shrubs, and not correlated with other agricultural landscapes (orchards and crop areas). However, the seroprevalence of T. gondii was only associated with agricultural landscapes such as orchards. The detection of hotspot areas of high pathogen exposure risk is the basis for municipal services to implement surveillance and risk factor control campaigns in specific‐risk areas, including (a) efficient health management of urban cat colonies by geographical location, population census and health status monitoring of the components of each cat colony, (b) improvement of hygiene and sanitary conditions at the feeding points of the cat colony and (c) free‐roaming cat trapping for health monitoring and, in the long term, to know the evolution of the health status of their populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mónica G Candela
- Department of Animal Health, Regional Campus of International Excellence "Campus Mare Nostrum", University of Murcia, Murcia, Spain
| | - Angela Fanelli
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Bari, Valenzano, Bari, Italy
| | - João Carvalho
- Department of Biology & Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies (CESAM), University of Aveiro, Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Emmanuel Serrano
- Wildlife Ecology & Health group (WE&H) and Servei d'Ecopatologia de Fauna Salvatge (SEFaS), Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | | | - Francisco Alonso
- Department of Animal Health, Regional Campus of International Excellence "Campus Mare Nostrum", University of Murcia, Murcia, Spain
| | - Carlos Martínez-Carrasco
- Department of Animal Health, Regional Campus of International Excellence "Campus Mare Nostrum", University of Murcia, Murcia, Spain
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Iacopelli F, Fanelli A, Tizzani P, Berriatua E, Prieto P, Martínez-Carrasco C, León L, Rossi L, Candela MG. Spatio-temporal patterns of sarcoptic mange in red deer and Iberian ibex in a multi-host natural park. Res Vet Sci 2019; 128:224-229. [PMID: 31837510 DOI: 10.1016/j.rvsc.2019.11.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [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: 07/25/2019] [Revised: 11/26/2019] [Accepted: 11/27/2019] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
The reliance on multiple hosts to survive is what makes the management and control of multi-host infectious agents challenging. Sarcoptes scabiei causes sarcoptic mange in a wide range of mammal species with ungulates being an important host. Little is known about the role different ungulates play in sustaining endemic transmission of the disease and no study has yet to describe the long-term multi-host sarcoptic infestation dynamics in free-ranging wildlife. Here, we explore 24 years of sarcoptic mange infestation data for two Mediterranean ungulate species, red deer and Iberian ibex, living in the Sierras de Cazorla, Segura y Las Villas Natural Park of southern Spain. The temporal analysis showed a clear seasonal pattern of infestation in both ungulates with a peak in early spring and a decline throughout the summer. The spatial analysis, however, showed that caprinae rather than cervidae is the most competent host for sarcoptic mange spreading and persistence. Considering that few studies have described the spatio-temporal pattern of mange outbreaks for long periods of time, the information reported in this work aims to improve our understanding of sarcoptic mange epizootic in wild ruminant populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- F Iacopelli
- Management of Environment and Forests, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Bari, 70100 Bari, Italy
| | - A Fanelli
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Turin, 10090 Grugliasco, Italy
| | - P Tizzani
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Turin, 10090 Grugliasco, Italy.
| | - E Berriatua
- Department of Animal Health, Regional Campus of International Excellence 'Campus Mare Nostrum', University of Murcia, Murcia, Spain.
| | - P Prieto
- Technician Office, Sierras de Cazorla, Segura y Las Villas Natural Park, Cazorla, 23470, Jaén, Spain.
| | - C Martínez-Carrasco
- Department of Animal Health, Regional Campus of International Excellence 'Campus Mare Nostrum', University of Murcia, Murcia, Spain.
| | - L León
- Department of Animal Health, Regional Campus of International Excellence 'Campus Mare Nostrum', University of Murcia, Murcia, Spain.
| | - L Rossi
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Turin, 10090 Grugliasco, Italy.
| | - M G Candela
- Department of Animal Health, Regional Campus of International Excellence 'Campus Mare Nostrum', University of Murcia, Murcia, Spain.
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Millán J, Cevidanes A, Chirife AD, Candela MG, León-Vizcaíno L. Risk factors of Leptospira infection in Mediterranean periurban micromammals. Zoonoses Public Health 2017; 65:e79-e85. [PMID: 29058382 DOI: 10.1111/zph.12411] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [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: 11/21/2016] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Urbanization of natural areas can change abiotic factors, providing artificial sources of humidity in summer and decreasing variation of temperatures in winter. Our study aimed at document risk factors of infection in mammal reservoirs of pathogenic Leptospira in the human/wildlife interface of a large metropolitan area. We hypothesize that survival of Leptospira and thus their prevalence in animal reservoirs should be higher in residential areas than in natural habitats, especially after the hot, dry Mediterranean summers. We established the prevalence of Leptospira spp. and identified the serovars in 353 urine samples from micromammals (chiefly the wood mouse Apodemus sylvaticus, n = 266) using direct immunofluorescence and PCR. Animals were captured in spring and autumn, 2011-2012, in two natural parks and two adjacent residential areas in periurban Barcelona (NE Spain). Overall observed prevalence of infection was 11%, ranking between 8% and 13% in the better represented host species. We observed marked differences between seasons; the probability of finding a micromammal infected in spring was three times greater than in autumn (almost four times for wood mouse). Prevalence was not related with type of habitat, micromammal relative abundance or sex of the animal. Three Leptospira species were confirmed: Leptospira interrogans (47% of cases), Leptospira borgpetersenii (41%) and Leptospira kirschneri (12%). The serovars most commonly detected were those typically hosted by rodents, and serovars Ballum and Icterohemorrhagiae were the only ones found in autumn. People living in periurban Barcelona and those visiting the natural areas of the metropolitan area face hazard of infection with rodent-borne Leptospira, especially during spring.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Millán
- Facultad de Ecología y Recursos Naturales, Universidad Andres Bello, Santiago, Chile
| | - A Cevidanes
- PhD Program in Conservation Medicine, Facultad de Ecología y Recursos Naturales, Universidad Andres Bello, Santiago, Chile
| | - A D Chirife
- Facultad de Ecología y Recursos Naturales, Universidad Andres Bello, Santiago, Chile
| | - M G Candela
- Infectious Diseases Area, Department of Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Murcia, Murcia, Spain
| | - L León-Vizcaíno
- Infectious Diseases Area, Department of Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Murcia, Murcia, Spain
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Millán J, García EJ, Oleaga Á, López-Bao JV, Llaneza L, Palacios V, Candela MG, Cevidanes A, Rodríguez A, León-Vizcaíno L. Using a top predator as a sentinel for environmental contamination with pathogenic bacteria: the Iberian wolf and leptospires. Mem Inst Oswaldo Cruz 2014; 109:1041-4. [PMID: 25494467 PMCID: PMC4325608 DOI: 10.1590/0074-0276140258] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2014] [Accepted: 12/19/2014] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The Iberian wolf (Canis lupus) is the top predator in the Iberian
environments in which it lives, feeding on a wide range of species, thus encountering
a wide range of disease agents. Therefore, the wolf can serve as sentinel of
environmental contamination with pathogens. We investigated the exposure of
free-living wolves to 14 serovars of Leptospira interrogans sensu
lato. Kidney samples from 49 wolves collected from 2010-2013 in
northwestern Spain were analysed by culture, direct immunofluorescence and polymerase
chain reaction. Tissue fluids were analysed for antibodies by a microscopic
agglutination test. Ten wolves (observed prevalence: 20%, 95% confidence interval =
11-33%) showed evidence of contact with leptospires, eight through direct detection
and nine through serology (7 wolves were positive according to both techniques).
Titres below the cut-off level were also detected in seven cases. Serovars confirmed
were Canicola (n = 4), Icterohaemorrhagiae (n = 3) and Sejroë, Ballum and
Grippotyphosa (n = 1 each), indicating that wolves were infected with serovars for
which dogs, rodents and ungulates, are the natural hosts and supporting the utility
of the wolf and other large predators as environmental sentinels for pathogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Javier Millán
- Facultad de Ecología y Recursos Naturales, Universidad Andres Bello, Santiago, Chile
| | | | - Álvaro Oleaga
- Sociedad de Servicios del Principado de Asturias SA, Asturias, Spain
| | - José Vicente López-Bao
- Unidad Mixta de Investigación en Biodiversidad, Universidad de Oviedo-Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas-Principado de Asturias, Mieres, Spain
| | | | | | - Mónica G Candela
- Área de Enfermedades Infecciosas, Departamento de Sanidad Animal, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad de Murcia, Murcia, Spain
| | | | - Alejandro Rodríguez
- Departamento de la Biología de la Conservación, Estación Biológica de Doñana, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Sevilla, Spain
| | - Luis León-Vizcaíno
- Área de Enfermedades Infecciosas, Departamento de Sanidad Animal, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad de Murcia, Murcia, Spain
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Sevila J, Richomme C, Hoste H, Candela MG, Gilot-Fromont E, Rodolakis A, Cebe N, Picot D, Merlet J, Verheyden H. Does land use within the home range drive the exposure of roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) to two abortive pathogens in a rural agro-ecosystem? ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2014. [DOI: 10.1007/s13364-014-0197-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [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: 01/28/2023]
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Candela MG, Serrano E, Sevila J, León L, Caro MR, Verheyden H. Pathogens of zoonotic and biological importance in roe deer (Capreolus capreolus): Seroprevalence in an agro-system population in France. Res Vet Sci 2014; 96:254-9. [PMID: 24576494 DOI: 10.1016/j.rvsc.2014.02.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [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: 07/17/2013] [Revised: 01/10/2014] [Accepted: 02/01/2014] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Antibody prevalence for several infectious and parasitic diseases in a population of roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) inhabiting a mixed agricultural landscape (south of France) has been analyzed. Serological analyses with ELISA in 245 animals captured from 2008 to 2012 has been performed. We found a high prevalence of Toxoplasma gondii (46.4%), Chlamydophila abortus (17.27%) and Coxiella burnetii (11.26%) compared to other studies in Europe. Seroprevalence varied strongly among years for T. gondii (27-91%), C. abortus (0-42%) and C. burnetii (0-27%). T. gondii prevalence was lower in juvenile females, compared to juvenile males and adults of both sexes. Other pathogens had low prevalences: Neospora caninum (1.56%), Bovine herpesvirus 1 (1.17%, 2008/09; 1.1%, 2010/11), Mycoplasma agalactiae (1.45%, 2009/10), Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis (0.9%) and Slow viruses (CAEV-MVV) (0.15%, 2008/10; 0%, 2011/12). Antibodies to bluetongue virus and pestiviruses were not found in any individual.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mónica G Candela
- Department of Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Murcia, Murcia, Spain.
| | - Emmanuel Serrano
- Servei d'Ecopatologia de Fauna Salvatge, Facultat de Veterinària, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, Spain; Estadística i Investigació Operativa, Departament de Matemàtica, Universitat de Lleida, Lleida, Spain
| | - Julie Sevila
- INRA, UR35 Comportement et Ecologie de la Faune Sauvage, Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique, B.P. 52627, 31326 Castanet-Tolosan, France
| | - Luis León
- Department of Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Murcia, Murcia, Spain
| | - María Rosa Caro
- Department of Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Murcia, Murcia, Spain
| | - Hélène Verheyden
- INRA, UR35 Comportement et Ecologie de la Faune Sauvage, Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique, B.P. 52627, 31326 Castanet-Tolosan, France
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Mora A, Ortega N, Garcia E, Viso S, Candela MG, Dahbi G, Cuello F, Caro MR. First Characterization of <i>Escherichia coli</i> Strains Isolated from Wildlife Griffon Vulture (<i>Gyps fulvus</i>) in the Southeast of Spain. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2014. [DOI: 10.4236/ojvm.2014.412040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [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: 11/20/2022]
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Millán J, Candela MG, López-Bao JV, Pereira M, Jiménez MA, León-Vizcaíno L. Leptospirosis in wild and domestic carnivores in natural areas in Andalusia, Spain. Vector Borne Zoonotic Dis 2010; 9:549-54. [PMID: 18973450 DOI: 10.1089/vbz.2008.0081] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Leptospirosis is a zoonosis that affects humans, domestic animals, and wildlife. Carnivores are at the top of the feeding chain, thus being exposed to pathogens through their preys. From June 2004 to April 2007, we analyzed for evidences of contact with 14 serovars of Leptospira interrogans Sensu Lato serum (analyzed by indirect Microscopic Agglutination Test) and urine or kidney samples (analyzed by microscopic observation, immunostaining and culture) collected from 201 wild and domestic carnivores, including 26 free-living Iberian lynx (Lynx pardinus), 33 red foxes (Vulpes vulpes), 33 Egyptian mongooses (Herpestes ichneumon), 25 common genets (Genetta genetta), two Eurasian badgers (Meles meles) and one Eurasian otter (Lutra lutra), and 53 free-roaming cats and 28 rural dogs in protected areas in Andalusia (southern Spain). Twenty-three percent of the animals presented evidences of contact, being the prevalence similar among wild (23.5%) and domestic species (22.2%). Contact with Lesptospira was detected in all the species but the otter. Prevalence was: lynx (11% by bacteriological detection, 32% by serology), fox (0%, 47%), mongoose (5%, 20%), genet (0%, 12%), badger (0%, 50%), cat (20%, 14%), dog (only serology: 36%). Serovar Icterohemorragiae accounted for 2/3 of the cases. Serovar Canicola was detected in half of the positive dogs and one lynx. Other serovars detected were Ballum, Sejroë, and Australis. No macroscopic lesions were observed in necropsied animals that showed evidence of contact with the agent, although histopathologic lesions (chiefly chronic interstitial nephritis) were observed in 7 out of the 11 microscopically analyzed individuals. Thus, L. interrogans may cause previously unrecorded disease in wild carnivores in Spain. Wild and free-roaming carnivores may not act as reservoir of L. interrogans but as a dead-end hosts, though the dog may act as reservoir of serovar Canicola. Carnivores are apparently good sentinels for the epidemiological monitorization of leptospirosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Javier Millán
- Department of Conservation Biology, Estación Biológica de Doñana (CSIC), Pabellón del Perú, Avda. María Luisa s/n, Sevilla, Spain.
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Candela MG, Serrano E, Martinez-Carrasco C, Martín-Atance P, Cubero MJ, Alonso F, Leon L. Coinfection is an important factor in epidemiological studies: the first serosurvey of the aoudad (Ammotragus lervia). Eur J Clin Microbiol Infect Dis 2008; 28:481-9. [PMID: 19020912 DOI: 10.1007/s10096-008-0654-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2008] [Accepted: 10/10/2008] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- M G Candela
- Department of Animal Health, University of Murcia, Spain.
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Millán J, Candela MG, Palomares F, Cubero MJ, Rodríguez A, Barral M, de la Fuente J, Almería S, León-Vizcaíno L. Disease threats to the endangered Iberian lynx (Lynx pardinus). Vet J 2008; 182:114-24. [PMID: 18555712 PMCID: PMC7129241 DOI: 10.1016/j.tvjl.2008.04.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 95] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.9] [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: 01/16/2008] [Revised: 04/14/2008] [Accepted: 04/19/2008] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
The Iberian lynx, (Lynx pardinus), is the most endangered felid in the world. To determine whether sympatric carnivores are reservoirs of pathogens posing a disease risk for the lynx, evidence of exposure to 17 viral, bacterial and protozoan agents was investigated in 176 carnivores comprising 26 free-living lynx, 53 domestic cats, 28 dogs, 33 red foxes (Vulpes vulpes), 24 Egyptian mongooses (Herpestes ichneumon), 10 common genets (Genetta genetta) and 2 Eurasian badgers (Meles meles) in the areas inhabited by the last two populations of Iberian lynx, both in Andalusia (South-Western Spain). The results indicated that the lynx had low rates of contact with viral pathogens, with one seropositive finding each for feline leukemia virus, parvovirus and canine adenovirus-1, whereas contact with bacteria and protozoa appeared more frequent. Active infections with parvovirus, Ehrlichia spp., Mycobacterium bovis, Leptospira interrogans and Cytauxzoon spp. were confirmed. In contrast, 53% of the domestic cats were exposed to some infectious agent (prevalence range 4.5–11.4%). Antibodies to canine distemper virus and parvovirus were frequently found in dogs (32% and 42%, respectively) and foxes (30% and 12%). Past or present infections with parvovirus, Ehrlichia spp., Chlamydophila spp., M. bovis, Salmonella enterica, L. interrogans, Toxoplasma gondii, and Neospora caninum were also detected in these and other species surveyed. Questionnaires to owners revealed that 14% of the dogs but none of the cats had been vaccinated, and no cat had been neutered. Based on the apparent absence of acquired immunity of the lynx against infectious agents, the frequent detection of agents among sympatric carnivores, and the reported lack of immunocompetence of the Iberian lynx, a disease outbreak among the local abundant carnivores may pose a serious disease risk for lynx conservation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Javier Millán
- Department of Conservation Biology, Estación Biológica de Doñana (CSIC), Sevilla, Spain.
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