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Balseiro A, Herrero-García G, García Marín JF, Balsera R, Monasterio JM, Cubero D, de Pedro G, Oleaga Á, García-Rodríguez A, Espinoza I, Rabanal B, Aduriz G, Tuñón J, Gortázar C, Royo LJ. New threats in the recovery of large carnivores inhabiting human-modified landscapes: the case of the Cantabrian brown bear (Ursus arctos). Vet Res 2024; 55:24. [PMID: 38395920 PMCID: PMC10893660 DOI: 10.1186/s13567-024-01279-w] [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] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2023] [Accepted: 02/02/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Understanding mortality causes is important for the conservation of endangered species, especially in small and isolated populations inhabiting anthropized landscapes where both natural and human-caused mortality may hinder the conservation of these species. We investigated the mortality causes of 53 free-ranging brown bears (Ursus arctos) found dead between 1998 and 2023 in the Cantabrian Mountains (northwestern Spain), a highly human-modified region where bears are currently recovering after being critically threatened in the last century. We detected natural traumatic injuries in 52.63% and infectious diseases in 39.47% of the 38 bears for which the mortality causes were registered, with 21.05% of these cases presenting signs of both infectious diseases and traumas. More specifically, almost 30% of the bears died during or after intraspecific fights, including sexually selected infanticide (10.53%). In addition, primary infectious diseases such as infectious canine hepatitis, distemper, clostridiosis and colibacillosis caused the death of 15.79% of the bears. The number of direct human-caused deaths (i.e., shooting, poisoning, snare) decreased over the study period. This study also reveals three new mortality causes triggered by pathogens, two of which-Clostridium novyi and verotoxigenic Escherichia coli-not previously described in ursids, and the other one, canine distemper virus, never reported in brown bears as cause of death. New management strategies for the conservation of Cantabrian bears, which are urgently needed due to the rapid expansion of the population, should consider the mortality causes described in this study and must promote further research to elucidate how the high prevalence of infectious diseases may threaten the current recovery of the population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Balseiro
- Departamento de Sanidad Animal, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad de León, 24071, León, Spain.
| | - Gloria Herrero-García
- Departamento de Sanidad Animal, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad de León, 24071, León, Spain
| | | | - Ramón Balsera
- Dirección General de Medio Natural y Planificación Rural del Principado de Asturias, 33007, Oviedo, Asturias, Spain
| | - Juana María Monasterio
- Dirección General de Medio Natural y Planificación Rural del Principado de Asturias, 33007, Oviedo, Asturias, Spain
| | - David Cubero
- Dirección General de Patrimonio Natural y Política Forestal de La Junta de Castilla y León, 47014, Valladolid, Castilla y León, Spain
| | - Gabriel de Pedro
- Dirección General de Patrimonio Natural y Política Forestal de La Junta de Castilla y León, 47014, Valladolid, Castilla y León, Spain
| | - Álvaro Oleaga
- Sociedad de Servicios del Principado de Asturias S.A. (SERPA), La Laboral, 33203, Gijón, Spain
| | - Alberto García-Rodríguez
- Departamento de Sanidad Animal, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad de León, 24071, León, Spain
| | - Israel Espinoza
- Departamento de Sanidad Animal, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad de León, 24071, León, Spain
| | - Benjamín Rabanal
- Laboratorio de Técnicas Instrumentales, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad de León, 24071, León, Spain
| | - Gorka Aduriz
- Departamento de Sanidad Animal, NEIKER-Instituto Vasco de Investigación y Desarrollo Agrario, 48160, Derio (Bizkaia), Spain
| | - José Tuñón
- Fundación Oso de Asturias, 33114, Proaza, Asturias, Spain
| | | | - Luis José Royo
- Departamento de Biología Funcional, Genética, Universidad de Oviedo, 33006, Oviedo, Spain
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Espinoza I, García Iglesias MJ, Oleaga Á, de Garnica García MG, Balseiro A. Phenotypic Characterization of Encephalitis in the BRAINS of Badgers Naturally Infected with Canine Distemper Virus. Animals (Basel) 2023; 13:3360. [PMID: 37958115 PMCID: PMC10647365 DOI: 10.3390/ani13213360] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2023] [Revised: 10/26/2023] [Accepted: 10/27/2023] [Indexed: 11/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Canine distemper virus (CDV) affects a huge diversity of domestic and wild carnivores, with increasing numbers of mortality events worldwide. The local cell-mediated immune response elicited against a natural infection is an important factor in determining the outcome of CDV infection. Therefore, the purposes of this study were to describe the local immune response within the central nervous systems (CNSs) of seven badgers naturally infected with CDV in Asturias (Atlantic Spain) and to determine the phenotype and distribution of microglial cells, T and B lymphocytes, and astrocytes in the foci of gliosis located in the thalamus and cerebellum using immunohistochemistry. The immunohistochemical assessment demonstrated the presence of Iba1-positive microglia and GFAP-positive astrocytes in the foci of gliosis, whereas T (CD3-negative) or B (CD20-negative) lymphocytes in those same lesions were absent. Our results also revealed that the badgers with natural CDV encephalitis presented lesions mostly located in the white matter of the thalamus and cerebellum, suggesting a CDV-specific tropism for the white matter of badger brains in those locations. The knowledge gained in the field of the immunopathogenesis of distemper disease affecting the CNSs of badgers could help to clarify CDV disease patterns in this species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Israel Espinoza
- Departamento de Sanidad Animal, Universidad de León, 24071 León, Spain; (I.E.); (M.J.G.I.); (M.G.d.G.G.)
| | - María José García Iglesias
- Departamento de Sanidad Animal, Universidad de León, 24071 León, Spain; (I.E.); (M.J.G.I.); (M.G.d.G.G.)
- Instituto Universitario (LOU) de Biomedicina (IBIOMED), Universidad de Léon, 24071 León, Spain
| | - Álvaro Oleaga
- Sociedad de Servicios del Principado de Asturias S.A. (SERPA), 33203 Gijón, Spain;
| | - María Gracia de Garnica García
- Departamento de Sanidad Animal, Universidad de León, 24071 León, Spain; (I.E.); (M.J.G.I.); (M.G.d.G.G.)
- Micros Veterinaria, S.L., 24007 León, Spain
| | - Ana Balseiro
- Departamento de Sanidad Animal, Universidad de León, 24071 León, Spain; (I.E.); (M.J.G.I.); (M.G.d.G.G.)
- Departamento de Sanidad Animal, Instituto de Ganadería de Montaña (CSIC—Universidad de León), 24346 León, Spain
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3
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García-Rodríguez A, Herrero-García G, de Garnica García MG, García Esgueva Á, Balsera R, Oleaga Á, Fernández D, Amado J, Royo LJ, García Iglesias MJ, Balseiro A. Mortality Causes in Captive Cantabrian capercaillie (Tetrao urogallus cantabricus) in Spain. Animals (Basel) 2023; 13:ani13071255. [PMID: 37048511 PMCID: PMC10093503 DOI: 10.3390/ani13071255] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2023] [Revised: 03/29/2023] [Accepted: 03/31/2023] [Indexed: 04/08/2023] Open
Abstract
The Cantabrian capercaillie (Tetrao urogallus cantabricus) is one of the most severely threatened subspecies of capercaillie. Its current population range is restricted to a small area of the Cantabrian Mountains (northwestern Spain), with only around 200 individuals remaining. As part of the national strategy for the conservation of the subspecies, the Cantabrian capercaillie Captive Breeding Center of Sobrescobio opened in 2009. Here, we use the information provided by the necropsies performed in this facility on 29 individuals (11 males, 13 females and 5 undetermined; 16 chicks and 13 adults) in order to describe the main mortality causes of captive-bred Cantabrian capercaillies. After necropsy, tissue samples were taken for evaluation using standard methods in histology and microbiology. The majority of the captive animals (18/29, 62.07%) died due to infectious diseases, mainly due to Escherichia coli, Clostridium perfringens, or Aspergillus fumigatus infection. The remaining 11 animals died due to stress-related processes (i.e., rupture of the heart apex and cardiomyopathy or neurogenic shock) (8/29, 27.59%), duodenal obstruction and coelomitis (1/29, 3.45%), perforation of the proventriculus and heart with a briar branch (1/29, 3.45%) or euthanasia due to a valgus leg deformity that prevented proper animal welfare (1/29, 3.45%). Young animals (i.e., younger than 2 months) died mainly due to infectious diseases (14/16, 87.5%), while stress-related causes were responsible for most adult deaths (7/13, 53.85%). We additionally report that two free-ranging adult males died due to exertional myopathy. This study provides relevant information for reducing mortality in captive capercaillies and improving both living conditions in captivity and the adaptation of these animals to the wild.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Gloria Herrero-García
- Departamento de Sanidad Animal, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad de León, 24071 León, Spain
| | - María Gracia de Garnica García
- Departamento de Sanidad Animal, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad de León, 24071 León, Spain
- Micros Veterinaria, S.L., C/Profesor Pedro Cármenes, Campus de Veganzana, 24007 León, Spain
| | - Álvaro García Esgueva
- Departamento de Sanidad Animal, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad de León, 24071 León, Spain
| | - Ramón Balsera
- Consejería de Fomento, Ordenación del Territorio y Medio Ambiente, 33007 Oviedo, Spain
| | - Álvaro Oleaga
- Sociedad de Servicios del Principado de Asturias S.A. (SERPA), La Laboral, 33203 Gijón, Spain
| | - Daniel Fernández
- Sociedad de Servicios del Principado de Asturias S.A. (SERPA), La Laboral, 33203 Gijón, Spain
| | - Javier Amado
- Consejería de Medio Rural y Cohesión Territorial, 33299 Gijón, Spain
| | - Luis José Royo
- Departamento de Biología Funcional, Genética, Universidad de Oviedo, 33006 Oviedo, Spain
| | | | - Ana Balseiro
- Departamento de Sanidad Animal, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad de León, 24071 León, Spain
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4
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Oleaga Á, Vázquez CB, Royo LJ, Barral TD, Bonnaire D, Armenteros JÁ, Rabanal B, Gortázar C, Balseiro A. Canine distemper virus in wildlife in south-western Europe. Transbound Emerg Dis 2021; 69:e473-e485. [PMID: 34536064 DOI: 10.1111/tbed.14323] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [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: 07/28/2021] [Revised: 09/08/2021] [Accepted: 09/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Multi-host pathogens emerging and re-emerging at the wildlife-domestic animal interface affect wildlife management and conservation. This is the case of canine distemper virus (CDV), a paramyxovirus closely related to human measles virus and rinderpest virus of cattle. With an area of 10,603 km2 , Asturias region in Atlantic Spain is a hotspot of carnivore diversity, which includes the largest Eurasian brown bear (Ursus arctos arctos) population and one of the largest wolf (Canis lupus) populations in south-western Europe. In 2020-2021, we recorded mortality due to distemper in four carnivore species including three mustelids (Eurasian badger Meles meles, European marten Martes martes and European polecat Mustela putorius) and one canid (red fox, Vulpes vulpes). Clinical signs and pathology were similar across species and consistent with the emergence of a highly pathogenic viral strain, with CDV antigen mainly located in the central nervous system, lungs, spleen and lymph nodes. A molecular study in eight wild carnivore species, also including the Iberian wolf, Eurasian brown bear, American mink (Neovison vison) and stone marten (Martes foina), revealed 19.51% (16/82) of positivity. Phylogenetic analysis demonstrated that CDV belonged to the previously described European lineage. A retrospective serosurvey (2008-2020) showed a high seroprevalence of CDV antibodies (43.4%) in 684 analyzed badgers, indicating a long-term though not stable viral circulation in this multi-host community. The possible triggers of the 2020-2021 outbreak and the implications for carnivore management and conservation are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Álvaro Oleaga
- Sociedad de Servicios del Principado de Asturias S.A. (SERPA), Gijón, Spain
| | - Cristina Blanco Vázquez
- Servicio Regional de Investigación y Desarrollo Agroalimentario del Principado de Asturias (SERIDA), Villaviciosa, Spain
| | - Luis José Royo
- Servicio Regional de Investigación y Desarrollo Agroalimentario del Principado de Asturias (SERIDA), Villaviciosa, Spain
| | - Thiago Doria Barral
- Laboratório de Imunologia e Biologia Molecular, Instituto de Ciências da Saúde, Universidade Federal da Bahia, Salvador, Brazil
| | - Debby Bonnaire
- Ecole Supérieure d'Ingénieurs Agroalimentaires de Bretagne atlantique, Université de Bretagne Occidentale, Brest, France.,Departamento de Sanidad Animal, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad de León, León, Spain
| | - José Ángel Armenteros
- Consejería de Fomento, Ordenación del Territorio y Medio Ambiente del Principado de Asturias, Oviedo, Spain
| | - Benjamín Rabanal
- Laboratorio de Técnicas Instrumentales, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad de León, León, Spain
| | - Christian Gortázar
- SaBio. Instituto de Investigación en Recursos Cinegéticos-IREC (CSIC-UCLM-JCCM), Ciudad Real, Spain
| | - Ana Balseiro
- Departamento de Sanidad Animal, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad de León, León, Spain.,Departamento de Sanidad Animal, Instituto de Ganadería de Montaña (CSIC-Universidad de León), León, Spain
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5
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Espí A, del Cerro A, Oleaga Á, Rodríguez-Pérez M, López CM, Hurtado A, Rodríguez-Martínez LD, Barandika JF, García-Pérez AL. One Health Approach: An Overview of Q Fever in Livestock, Wildlife and Humans in Asturias (Northwestern Spain). Animals (Basel) 2021; 11:ani11051395. [PMID: 34068431 PMCID: PMC8153578 DOI: 10.3390/ani11051395] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2021] [Revised: 05/10/2021] [Accepted: 05/10/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
This study aimed to investigate the seroprevalence of C. burnetii in domestic ruminants, wild ungulates, as well as the current situation of Q fever in humans in a small region in northwestern Spain where a close contact at the wildlife-livestock-human interface exists, and information on C. burnetii infection is scarce. Seroprevalence of C. burnetii was 8.4% in sheep, 18.4% in cattle, and 24.4% in goats. Real-time PCR analysis of environmental samples collected in 25 livestock farms detected Coxiella DNA in dust and/or aerosols collected in 20 of them. Analysis of sera from 327 wild ungulates revealed lower seroprevalence than that found in domestic ruminants, with 8.4% of Iberian red deer, 7.3% chamois, 6.9% fallow deer, 5.5% European wild boar and 3.5% of roe deer harboring antibodies to C. burnetii. Exposure to the pathogen in humans was determined by IFAT analysis of 1312 blood samples collected from patients admitted at healthcare centers with Q fever compatible symptoms, such as fever and/or pneumonia. Results showed that 15.9% of the patients had IFAT titers ≥ 1/128 suggestive of probable acute infection. This study is an example of a One Health approach with medical and veterinary institutions involved in investigating zoonotic diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alberto Espí
- Department of Animal Health, Regional Service for Agrofood Research and Development (SERIDA), 33394 Gijón, Spain;
- Translational Microbiology Consolidated Group, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria del Principado de Asturias (Health Research Institute of Asturias, ISPA), Av. del Hospital Universitario, s/n, 33011 Oviedo, Spain; (Á.O.); (M.R.-P.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +34-653372118
| | - Ana del Cerro
- Department of Animal Health, Regional Service for Agrofood Research and Development (SERIDA), 33394 Gijón, Spain;
- Translational Microbiology Consolidated Group, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria del Principado de Asturias (Health Research Institute of Asturias, ISPA), Av. del Hospital Universitario, s/n, 33011 Oviedo, Spain; (Á.O.); (M.R.-P.)
| | - Álvaro Oleaga
- Translational Microbiology Consolidated Group, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria del Principado de Asturias (Health Research Institute of Asturias, ISPA), Av. del Hospital Universitario, s/n, 33011 Oviedo, Spain; (Á.O.); (M.R.-P.)
- SERPA—Sociedad de Servicios del Principado de Asturias S.A., 33202 Gijón, Spain
| | - Mercedes Rodríguez-Pérez
- Translational Microbiology Consolidated Group, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria del Principado de Asturias (Health Research Institute of Asturias, ISPA), Av. del Hospital Universitario, s/n, 33011 Oviedo, Spain; (Á.O.); (M.R.-P.)
- Department of Microbiology, Central Hospital of Asturias (HUCA), 33011 Oviedo, Spain
| | - Ceferino M. López
- Department of Animal Pathology, Animal Health, Veterinary Faculty, University of Santiago de Compostela, 27071 Lugo, Spain;
| | - Ana Hurtado
- Department of Animal Health, NEIKER-Basque Institute for Agricultural Research and Development, Basque Research and Technology Alliance (BRTA), 48160 Derio, Spain; (A.H.); (J.F.B.); (A.L.G.-P.)
| | | | - Jesús F. Barandika
- Department of Animal Health, NEIKER-Basque Institute for Agricultural Research and Development, Basque Research and Technology Alliance (BRTA), 48160 Derio, Spain; (A.H.); (J.F.B.); (A.L.G.-P.)
| | - Ana L. García-Pérez
- Department of Animal Health, NEIKER-Basque Institute for Agricultural Research and Development, Basque Research and Technology Alliance (BRTA), 48160 Derio, Spain; (A.H.); (J.F.B.); (A.L.G.-P.)
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6
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Calatayud O, Esperón F, Velarde R, Oleaga Á, Llaneza L, Ribas A, Negre N, de la Torre A, Rodríguez A, Millán J. Genetic characterization of Carnivore Parvoviruses in Spanish wildlife reveals domestic dog and cat-related sequences. Transbound Emerg Dis 2019; 67:626-634. [PMID: 31581349 DOI: 10.1111/tbed.13378] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [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: 12/27/2018] [Revised: 07/03/2019] [Accepted: 07/31/2019] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
The impact of carnivore parvovirus infection on wild populations is not yet understood; disease signs are mainly developed in pups and assessing the health of litters in wild carnivores has big limitations. This study aims to shed light on the virus dynamics among wild carnivores thanks to the analysis of 213 samples collected between 1994 and 2013 in wild ecosystems from Spain. We determined the presence of carnivore parvovirus DNA by real-time PCR and sequenced the vp2 gen from 22 positive samples to characterize the strains and to perform phylogenetic analysis. The presence of carnivore parvovirus DNA was confirmed in 18% of the samples, with a higher prevalence detected in wolves (Canis lupus signatus, 70%). Fourteen sequences belonging to nine wolves, three Eurasian badgers (Meles meles), a common genet (Genetta genetta) and a European wildcat (Felis silvestris) were classified as canine parvovirus 2c (CPV-2c); five sequences from three wolves, a red fox (Vulpes vulpes) and a stone marten (Martes foina) as CPV-2b; and three sequences from a badger, a genet and a stone marten as feline parvovirus (FPV). This was the first report of a wildcat infected with a canine strain. Sequences described in this study were identical or very close related to others previously found in domestic carnivores from distant countries, suggesting that cross-species transmission takes place and that the parvovirus epidemiology in Spain, as elsewhere, could be influenced by global factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olga Calatayud
- Animal Health Research Centre INIA-CISA, Madrid, Spain.,Institute of Zoology, Zoological Society of London, London, UK.,The Royal Veterinary College, London, UK
| | | | - Roser Velarde
- Wildlife Ecology and Health Group and Servicio de Ecopatología de Fauna Salvaje (SEFaS), Departament de Medicina i Cirurgia Animals, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Álvaro Oleaga
- SERPA, Sociedad de Servicios del Principado de Asturias S.A., Gijón, Spain
| | - Luis Llaneza
- A.RE.NA. Asesores en Recursos Naturales SL, Lugo, Spain
| | - Alexis Ribas
- Department of Zoology and Fisheries, Faculty of Agrobiology, Food and Natural, ResourcesCzech University of Life Sciences Prague, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Nieves Negre
- Consorci per a la Recuperació de la Fauna de les Illes Balears, Santa Eugènia, Spain
| | | | - Alejandro Rodríguez
- Department of Conservation Biology, Estación Biológica de Doñana, CSIC, Sevilla, Spain
| | - Javier Millán
- Facultad de Ciencias de la Vida, Universidad Andres Bello, Santiago, Chile
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7
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Martínez-Rondán FJ, Ruiz de Ybáñez MR, López-Beceiro AM, Fidalgo LE, Berriatua E, Lahat L, Sacristán I, Oleaga Á, Martínez-Carrasco C. Cardiopulmonary nematode infections in wild canids: Does the key lie on host-prey-parasite evolution? Res Vet Sci 2019; 126:51-58. [PMID: 31437776 DOI: 10.1016/j.rvsc.2019.08.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [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: 06/09/2019] [Revised: 08/02/2019] [Accepted: 08/04/2019] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Cardiopulmonary nematodes are among the most pathogenic parasites of domestic and wild canids. The aim of this study was to describe the species diversity, prevalence and infection intensity of these parasites in the Iberian wolf (Canis lupus signatus) and the red fox (Vulpes vulpes) in the northwest of the Iberian Peninsula. 257 foxes and 74 wolves were necropsied between 2008 and 2014. Four nematode species were identified: Angiostrongylus vasorum, Eucoleus aerophilus, Crenosoma vulpis and Filaroides hirthi. This last species was only found in wolves, being the first time that is cited worldwide in this wild canid. The overall parasite prevalence was significantly higher in foxes (70%) than in wolves (28%). Specifically, prevalences in foxes and wolves were, respectively, 43% and 22% for A. vasorum, 33% and 5% for E. aerophilus, and 30% and 9% for C. vulpis. The prevalence of F. hirthi was 16%. The A. vasorum intensity was significantly higher in foxes than in wolves. Differences between host species in the risk of infection would be associated to diverging feeding behavior, and possibly reflects a parasite-host adaptation related to host's hunting strategies and cardiorespiratory requirements. This study revealed an association between infection and environmental factors, and highlighted a wide variation in the spatial distribution of A. vasorum. Our results indicate that cardiopulmonary parasites are widespread in wild canids in northwest Spain, and further agrees with other studies indicating the expansion of A. vasorum in Europe and, therefore, the urgent need to investigate infection in dogs in sympatric areas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francisco José Martínez-Rondán
- Department of Animal Health, Regional Campus of International Excellence "Campus Mare Nostrum", University of Murcia, Murcia, Spain
| | - María Rocío Ruiz de Ybáñez
- Department of Animal Health, Regional Campus of International Excellence "Campus Mare Nostrum", University of Murcia, Murcia, Spain.
| | - Ana María López-Beceiro
- Department of Anatomy, Animal Production and Clinical Veterinary Sciences, University of Santiago de Compostela, Lugo, Spain.
| | - Luis Eusebio Fidalgo
- Department of Anatomy, Animal Production and Clinical Veterinary Sciences, University of Santiago de Compostela, Lugo, Spain.
| | - Eduardo Berriatua
- Department of Animal Health, Regional Campus of International Excellence "Campus Mare Nostrum", University of Murcia, Murcia, Spain.
| | - Liron Lahat
- Department of Animal Health, Regional Campus of International Excellence "Campus Mare Nostrum", University of Murcia, Murcia, Spain
| | - Irene Sacristán
- PhD Program in Conservation Medicine, Facultad de Ciencias de la Vida, Universidad Andres Bello, República 252, Santiago, Chile
| | - Álvaro Oleaga
- SERPA, Sociedad de Servicios del Principado de Asturias S.A., 33203 Gijón, Asturias, 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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8
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Balseiro A, Oleaga Á, Álvarez Morales LM, González Quirós P, Gortázar C, Prieto JM. Effectiveness of a calf-selective feeder in preventing wild boar access. EUR J WILDLIFE RES 2019. [DOI: 10.1007/s10344-019-1276-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
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9
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Millán J, Velarde R, Delicado V, Negre N, Ribas A, Oleaga Á, Llaneza L, Esperón F. High diversity of hemotropic mycoplasmas in Iberian wild carnivores. Comp Immunol Microbiol Infect Dis 2018; 60:11-16. [PMID: 30396424 DOI: 10.1016/j.cimid.2018.09.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [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: 04/22/2018] [Revised: 08/14/2018] [Accepted: 09/10/2018] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
Abstract
Two-hundred and thirty-one wild carnivores belonging to 10 species of in Spain were analyzed for the presence of DNA of hemotropic mycoplasmas (hemoplasmas) by means of a universal real-time PCR targeting a 16S rRNA gene fragment. Positive reactions were found for wolf (Canis lupus: 6/37), fox (Vulpes vulpes: 1/41), Eurasian badger (Meles meles: 49/85), pine marten (Martes martes: 11/23), stone marten (Martes foina: 6/9), least weasel (Mustela nivalis: 4/4), European wildcat (Felis s. silvestris: 1/2) and common genet (Genetta genetta: 7/27). Sixty-four readable sequences were obtained, resulting in 14 nucleotide sequence types (ntST). The highest diversity was detected in badger (6 ntST) and pine marten (5 ntST). The sequencing of a fragment of the RNase P gene showed that all positive reactions in wolves corresponded to Mycoplasma haemocanis. Three ntST showed an identity between 98-100% with Candidatus M. haemominutum, C. M. turicensis and C. M. haematoparvum, respectively. Four ntST were closely related to C. M. haemomeles and/or diverse genotypes reported from raccoons (Procyon lotor) in the USA. One ntST from a badger showed only 88% similarity to the closest published sequence and was phylogenetically unrelated to any other hemoplasma sequence reported. Three ntST were 99-100% similar to two different sequences reported in Spanish bats. This study confirms the widespread nature and the high genetic diversity of hemoplasma infection in carnivores. Wild carnivores might be natural hosts of some hemoplasmas infecting dogs and cats.
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Affiliation(s)
- Javier Millán
- Facultad de Ciencias de la Vida, Universidad Andres Bello, República 252, Santiago, Chile.
| | - Roser Velarde
- Wildlife Ecology and Health Group and Servicio de Ecopatología de Fauna Salvaje (SEFaS), Departament de Medicina i Cirurgia Animals, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193, Bellaterra, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Verónica Delicado
- Centro de Investigación en Sanidad Animal (INIA-CISA), Ctra Algete el Casar s/n, Valdeolmos, Madrid, Spain
| | - Nieves Negre
- Consorci per a la Recuperació de la Fauna de les Illes Balears, 07142, Santa Eugènia, Balearic Islands, Spain
| | - Alexis Ribas
- Section of Parasitology, Department of Biology, Healthcare and the Environment, Faculty of Pharmacy and Food Sciences, University of Barcelona, Av. de Joan XXIII, 27-31, 08028, Barcelona, Spain; Museu de Ciències Naturals de Granollers, 08402, Granollers, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Álvaro Oleaga
- SERPA, Sociedad de Servicios del Principado de Asturias S.A, 33203, Gijón, Asturias, Spain
| | - Luis Llaneza
- A.RE.NA. Asesores en Recursos Naturales SL, Perpetuo Socorro 12-Entresuelo 2B, 27003, Lugo, Spain
| | - Fernando Esperón
- Centro de Investigación en Sanidad Animal (INIA-CISA), Ctra Algete el Casar s/n, Valdeolmos, Madrid, Spain
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Millán J, López-Bao JV, García EJ, Oleaga Á, Llaneza L, Palacios V, de la Torre A, Rodríguez A, Dubovi EJ, Esperón F. Patterns of Exposure of Iberian Wolves (Canis lupus) to Canine Viruses in Human-Dominated Landscapes. Ecohealth 2016; 13:123-134. [PMID: 26589403 DOI: 10.1007/s10393-015-1074-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [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: 03/19/2015] [Revised: 09/21/2015] [Accepted: 10/01/2015] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
Wildlife inhabiting human-dominated landscapes is at risk of pathogen spill-over from domestic species. With the aim of gaining knowledge in the dynamics of viral infections in Iberian wolves (Canis lupus) living in anthropized landscapes of northern Spain, we analysed between 2010 and 2013 the samples of 54 wolves by serology and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for exposure to four pathogenic canine viruses: canine distemper virus (CDV), canine parvovirus-2 (CPV), canine adenovirus 1 and 2 (CAV-1 and CAV-2) and canine herpesvirus. Overall, 76% of the studied wolves presented evidence of exposure to CPV (96% by HI, 66% by PCR) and 75% to CAV (75% by virus neutralization (VN), 76% by PCR, of which 70% CAV-1 and 6% CAV-2). This represents the first detection of CAV-2 infection in a wild carnivore. CPV/CAV-1 co-infection occurred in 51% of the wolves. The probability of wolf exposure to CPV was positively and significantly correlated with farm density in a buffer zone around the place where the wolf was found, indicating that rural dogs might be the origin of CPV infecting wolves. CPV and CAV-1 appear to be enzootic in the Iberian wolf population, which is supported by the absence of seasonal and inter-annual variations in the proportion of positive samples detected. However, while CPV may depend on periodical introductions by dogs, CAV-1 may be maintained within the wolf population. All wolves were negative for exposure to CDV (by VN and PCR) and CHV (by PCR). The absence of acquired immunity against CDV in this population may predispose it to an elevated rate of mortality in the event of a distemper spill-over via dogs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Javier Millán
- Facultad de Ecología y Recursos Naturales, Universidad Andres Bello, República 252, Santiago, Chile.
| | - José Vicente López-Bao
- Research Unit of Biodiversity (UO/CSIC/PA), Oviedo University, Mieres, Spain
- Grimsö Wildlife Research Station, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU), Riddarhyttan, Sweden
| | - Emilio J García
- A.RE.NA. Asesores en Recursos Naturales SL, Perpetuo Socorro 12-Entresuelo 2B, 27003, Lugo, Spain
| | - Álvaro Oleaga
- SERPA, Sociedad de Servicios del Principado de Asturias S.A, 33203, Gijón, Asturias, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación en Recursos Cinegéticos (IREC), CSIC-UCLM-JCCM, Ronda de Toledo s/n, 13071, Ciudad Real, Spain
| | - Luis Llaneza
- A.RE.NA. Asesores en Recursos Naturales SL, Perpetuo Socorro 12-Entresuelo 2B, 27003, Lugo, Spain
- Departamento de Bioloxía Celular e Ecoloxía, Facultade de Bioloxía, University of Santiago de Compostela, Campus Sur, 15782, Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - Vicente Palacios
- A.RE.NA. Asesores en Recursos Naturales SL, Perpetuo Socorro 12-Entresuelo 2B, 27003, Lugo, Spain
| | - Ana de la Torre
- Centro de Investigación en Sanidad Animal (INIA-CISA), Valdeolmos, Spain
| | - Alejandro Rodríguez
- Department of Conservation Biology, Estación Biológica de Doñana, CSIC, Américo Vespucio s/n, 41092, Sevilla, Spain
| | - Edward J Dubovi
- Animal Health Diagnostic Center, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, 14853, USA
| | - Fernando Esperón
- Centro de Investigación en Sanidad Animal (INIA-CISA), Valdeolmos, Spain
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Talavera S, Muñoz-Muñoz F, Durán M, Verdún M, Soler-Membrives A, Oleaga Á, Arenas A, Ruiz-Fons F, Estrada R, Pagès N. Culicoides Species Communities Associated with Wild Ruminant Ecosystems in Spain: Tracking the Way to Determine Potential Bridge Vectors for Arboviruses. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0141667. [PMID: 26510136 PMCID: PMC4624870 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0141667] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [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: 12/22/2014] [Accepted: 10/11/2015] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
The genus Culicoides Latreille 1809 is a well-known vector for protozoa, filarial worms and, above all, numerous viruses. The Bluetongue virus (BTV) and the recently emerged Schmallenberg virus (SBV) are responsible for important infectious, non-contagious, insect-borne viral diseases found in domestic ruminants and transmitted by Culicoides spp. Both of these diseases have been detected in wild ruminants, but their role as reservoirs during the vector-free season still remains relatively unknown. In fact, we tend to ignore the possibility of wild ruminants acting as a source of disease (BTV, SBV) and permitting its reintroduction to domestic ruminants during the following vector season. In this context, a knowledge of the composition of the Culicoides species communities that inhabit areas where there are wild ruminants is of major importance as the presence of a vector species is a prerequisite for disease transmission. In this study, samplings were conducted in areas inhabited by different wild ruminant species; samples were taken in both 2009 and 2010, on a monthly basis, during the peak season for midge activity (in summer and autumn). A total of 102,693 specimens of 40 different species of the genus Culicoides were trapped; these included major BTV and SBV vector species. The most abundant vector species were C. imicola and species of the Obsoletus group, which represented 15% and 11% of total numbers of specimens, respectively. At the local scale, the presence of major BTV and SBV vector species in areas with wild ruminants coincided with that of the nearest sentinel farms included in the Spanish Bluetongue Entomological Surveillance Programme, although their relative abundance varied. The data suggest that such species do not exhibit strong host specificity towards either domestic or wild ruminants and that they could consequently play a prominent role as bridge vectors for different pathogens between both types of ruminants. This finding would support the hypothesis that wild ruminants could act as reservoirs for such pathogens, and subsequently be involved in the reintroduction of disease to livestock on neighbouring farms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sandra Talavera
- IRTA, Centre de Recerca en Sanitat Animal (CReSA, IRTA- UAB), Campus de la Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, Catalonia, Spain
- * E-mail:
| | - Francesc Muñoz-Muñoz
- Departament de Biologia Animal, de Biologia Vegetal i d’Ecologia, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, Catalonia, Spain
| | - Mauricio Durán
- Health and Biotechnology (SaBio) group, Instituto de Investigación en Recursos Cinegéticos (IREC), Ciudad Real, Castilla la Mancha, Spain
| | - Marta Verdún
- IRTA, Centre de Recerca en Sanitat Animal (CReSA, IRTA- UAB), Campus de la Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, Catalonia, Spain
| | - Anna Soler-Membrives
- Departament de Biologia Animal, de Biologia Vegetal i d’Ecologia, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, Catalonia, Spain
| | - Álvaro Oleaga
- Health and Biotechnology (SaBio) group, Instituto de Investigación en Recursos Cinegéticos (IREC), Ciudad Real, Castilla la Mancha, Spain
- SERPA, Sociedad de Servicios del Principado de Asturias S.A., Gijón, Asturias, Spain
| | - Antonio Arenas
- Departamento de Sanidad Animal, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad de Córdoba (UCO), Córdoba, Andalucía, Spain
| | - Francisco Ruiz-Fons
- Health and Biotechnology (SaBio) group, Instituto de Investigación en Recursos Cinegéticos (IREC), Ciudad Real, Castilla la Mancha, Spain
| | - Rosa Estrada
- Department of Animal Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary, University of Zaragoza, Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Nitu Pagès
- IRTA, Centre de Recerca en Sanitat Animal (CReSA, IRTA- UAB), Campus de la Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, Catalonia, 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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Ruiz-Fons F, Balseiro A, Willoughby K, Oleaga Á, Dagleish MP, Pérez-Ramírez E, Havlíková S, Klempa B, Llorente F, Martín-Hernando MP. Clinical infection of Cantabrian chamois (Rupicapra pyrenaica parva) by louping ill virus: new concern for mountain ungulate conservation? EUR J WILDLIFE RES 2014. [DOI: 10.1007/s10344-014-0818-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
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Boadella M, Acevedo P, Vicente J, Mentaberre G, Balseiro A, Arnal M, Martínez D, García-Bocanegra I, Casal C, Álvarez J, Oleaga Á, Lavín S, Muñoz M, Sáez-Llorente JL, de la Fuente J, Gortázar C. Spatio-temporal trends of Iberian wild boar contact with Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex detected by ELISA. Ecohealth 2011; 8:478-484. [PMID: 22065174 DOI: 10.1007/s10393-011-0713-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2011] [Revised: 10/14/2011] [Accepted: 10/18/2011] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
The continuing expansion of Eurasian wild boar (Sus scrofa) populations raises concerns regarding disease transmission. In south-central Spain, overabundant wild boar are reservoirs of Mycobacterium bovis, and related members of the Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex (MTBC), the causative agents of bovine tuberculosis (bTB). An indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay using bovine-purified protein derivative was applied to determine the spatial and temporal distribution of wild boar contact with MTBC in the Iberian Peninsula and to model and identify the associated risk factors. Wild boar apparent seroprevalence was 22%. Seropositives were detected in 71% of 81 sites, including 23 sites where wildlife was thought to be bTB free. The results described a new geographic range of wild boar contact with MTBC and a stable prevalence in this wildlife reservoir that contrasts with the success of bTB control in cattle. Inference of which host (wild boar or cattle) is driving bTB maintenance was not possible with our correlational results. The possibility of a wild boar bTB emergence in non-endemic regions should urgently be taken into account to avoid a future scenario resembling the current situation in south-central Spain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariana Boadella
- Instituto de Investigación en Recursos Cinegéticos (CSIC-UCLM-JCCM), Ciudad Real, Spain.
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Oleaga Á, Casais R, Balseiro A, Espí A, Llaneza L, Hartasánchez A, Gortázar C. New techniques for an old disease: Sarcoptic mange in the Iberian wolf. Vet Parasitol 2011; 181:255-66. [DOI: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2011.04.036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2011] [Revised: 04/11/2011] [Accepted: 04/20/2011] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
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Alasaad S, Oleaga Á, Casais R, Rossi L, Min AM, Soriguer RC, Gortázar C. Temporal stability in the genetic structure of Sarcoptes scabiei under the host-taxon law: empirical evidences from wildlife-derived Sarcoptes mite in Asturias, Spain. Parasit Vectors 2011; 4:151. [PMID: 21794141 PMCID: PMC3160406 DOI: 10.1186/1756-3305-4-151] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [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: 07/01/2011] [Accepted: 07/27/2011] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Implicitly, parasite molecular studies assume temporal genetic stability. In this study we tested, for the first time to our knowledge, the extent of changes in genetic diversity and structure of Sarcoptes mite populations from Pyrenean chamois (Rupicapra pyrenaica) in Asturias (Spain), using one multiplex of 9 microsatellite markers and Sarcoptes samples from sympatric Pyrenean chamois, red deer (Cervus elaphus), roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) and red fox (Vulpes vulpes). Results The analysis of an 11-years interval period found little change in the genetic diversity (allelic diversity, and observed and expected heterozygosity). The temporal stability in the genetic diversity was confirmed by population structure analysis, which was not significantly variable over time. Population structure analysis revealed temporal stability in the genetic diversity of Sarcoptes mite under the host-taxon law (herbivore derived- and carnivore derived-Sarcoptes mite) among the sympatric wild animals from Asturias. Conclusions The confirmation of parasite temporal genetic stability is of vital interest to allow generalizations to be made, which have further implications regarding the genetic structure, epidemiology and monitoring protocols of the ubiquitous Sarcoptes mite. This could eventually be applied to other parasite species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samer Alasaad
- Institute of Evolutionary Biology and Environmental Studies (IEU), University of Zürich, Winterthurerstrasse 190, 8057 Zürich, Switzerland.
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Falconi C, Oleaga Á, López-Olvera JR, Casais R, Prieto M, Gortázar C. Prevalence of antibodies against selected agents shared between Cantabrian chamois (Rupicapra pyrenaica parva) and domestic goats. EUR J WILDLIFE RES 2009. [DOI: 10.1007/s10344-009-0322-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [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: 10/20/2022]
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