Testing Eurasian wild boar piglets for serum antibodies against Mycobacterium bovis

A. Che’ Amat et al.Animal tuberculosis (TB) caused by infection with Mycobacterium bovis and closely related members of the M. tuberculosis complex (MTC), is often reported in the Eurasian wild boar (. Sus scrofa). Tests detecting antibodies against MTC antigens are valuable tools for TB monitoring and control in suids. However, only limited knowledge exists on serology test performance in 2-6 month-old piglets. In this age-class, recent infections might cause lower antibody levels and lower test sensitivity. We examined 126 wild boar piglets from a TB-endemic site using 6 antibody detection tests in order to assess test performance. Bacterial culture (. n=. 53) yielded a M. bovis infection prevalence of 33.9%, while serum antibody prevalence estimated by different tests ranged from 19% to 38%, reaching sensitivities between 15.4% and 46.2% for plate ELISAs and between 61.5% and 69.2% for rapid immunochromatographic tests based on dual path platform (DPP) technology. The Cohen kappa coefficient of agreement between DPP WTB (Wildlife TB) assay and culture results was moderate (0.45) and all other serological tests used had poor to fair agreements. This survey revealed the ability of several tests for detecting serum antibodies against the MTC antigens in 2-6 month-old naturally infected wild boar piglets. The best performance was demonstrated for DPP tests. The results confirmed our initial hypothesis of a lower sensitivity of serology for detecting M. bovis-infected piglets, as compared to older wild boar. Certain tests, notably the rapid animal-side tests, can contribute to TB control strategies by enabling the setup of test and cull schemes or improving pre-movement testing. However, sub-optimal test performance in piglets as compared to that in older wild boar should be taken into account.This is a contribution to Spanish Government MINECO Plan Nacional I+D+I grant AGL2014-56305 and FEDER, to a contract between CDTI and Glenton, and to the EU FP7 grant WildTBvac #613779. Azlan Che Amat has a PhD grant from the Malaysian Government, and José Angel Barasona and Iratxe Diéz-Delgado acknowledge PhD grants from the Spanish Government.Peer Reviewe

Spatial and Temporal Distribution of Mycobacterium tuberculosis Complex Infection in Eurasian Badger (Meles meles) and Cattle in Asturias, Spain

Copyright: © 2021 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland. This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) license (https:// creativecommons.org/licenses/by/ 4.0/)[EN] The present work investigated the prevalence, spatial distribution, and temporal distribution of tuberculosis (TB) in free-ranging Eurasian badgers (Meles meles) and cattle in Asturias (Atlantic Spain) during a 13-year follow-up. The study objective was to assess the role of badgers as a TB reservoir for cattle and other sympatric wild species in the region. Between 2008 and 2020, 673 badgers (98 trapped and 575 killed in road traffic accidents) in Asturias were necropsied, and their tissue samples were cultured for the Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex (MTC) isolation. Serum samples were tested in an in-house indirect P22 ELISA to detect antibodies against the MTC. In parallel, data on MTC isolation and single intradermal tuberculin test results were extracted for cattle that were tested and culled as part of the Spanish National Program for the Eradication of Bovine TB. A total of 27/639 badgers (4.23%) were positive for MTC based on bacterial isolation, while 160/673 badgers (23.77%) were found to be positive with the P22 ELISA. The rate of seroposi-tivity was higher among adult badgers than subadults. Badger TB status was spatially and tempo-rally associated with cattle TB status. Our results cannot determine the direction of possible interspecies transmission, but they are consistent with the idea that the two hosts may exert infection pressure on each other. This study highlights the importance of the wildlife monitoring of infection and disease during epidemiological interventions in order to optimize outcomes.SIThis work was funded by the Ministerio de Ciencia, Innovación y Universidades (MCIU), the Agencia Estatal de Investigación (AEI) reference project RTI2018-096010-B-C21 (FEDER co-funded), PCTI 2018–2020 (GRUPIN: IDI2018-000237), and FEDER and Ministerio de Agricultura, Pesca y Alimentación. C.B.V. was supported by a grant from the Instituto Nacional de Investigación y Tecnología Agraria y Alimentaria (INIA), Spain. Publication costs were covered with funds from RTI2018- 096010-B-C21 (FEDER co-funded). T.D.B. was supported by a fellowship from the Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES; process number 88887.511077/2020-00)The authors acknowledge invaluable support from their colleagues at SERIDA (Miguel Prieto and Alberto Espí), the University of León, the Servicio de Espacios Protegidos y Conservación de la Naturaleza, the Dirección General del Medio Natural y Planificación Rural del Principado de Asturias, the Servicio de Sanidad y Producción Animal del Principado de Asturias, the Regional Animal Health Laboratory of Principado de Asturias, VISAVET and Instituto de Salud Carlos III. We thank A. Chapin Rodríguez (Creaducate Consulting GmbH) for critically reviewing the manuscript

Augmented Reality in a Hiking Tour of the Miocene Geoheritage of the Central Algarve Cliffs (Portugal)

Acceso electrónico sólo desde el IGMEEight sites with geological (including palaeontological and geomorphological) interest (geosites) representative of the Lower and Middle Miocene carbonate deposits near Albufeira in central Algarve (southern Portugal) have been selected based on our extended working experience. The sites can be visited by hiking in a 1-day field trip. A virtual 3D tour of the georeferenced sites was produced using augmented reality technique and geoinformatic tools which integrate thematic digital layers such as geological maps and orthophotos. Every stop in the tour includes descriptive and graphic elements that can be viewed in free virtual globes (e.g. Google Earth) combined with diagrams, photographs and information sheets that quantitatively assess the cultural-touristic, educational and scientific value of the geosites. A virtual flight itinerary compatible with video formats in the new free technologies (smartphones, tablets and iPads) is also presented.Departamento de Geología, Universidad de Salamanca, EspañaGeoBioTec, Departamento de Ciências da Terra, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, PortugalDepartamento de Estratigrafía, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, EspañaMuseo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, EspañaLaboratório Nacional de Geologia e Energia, Portuga

Zoonotic "Enterocytozoon bieneusi" genotypes in free-ranging and farmed wild ungulates in Spain

Microsporidia comprises a diverse group of obligate, intracellular, and spore-forming parasites that infect a wide range of animals. Among them, Enterocytozoon bieneusi is the most frequently reported species in humans and other mammals and birds. Data on the epidemiology of E. bieneusi in wildlife are limited. Hence, E. bieneusi was investigated in eight wild ungulate species present in Spain (genera Ammotragus, Capra, Capreolus, Cervus, Dama, Ovis, Rupicapra, and Sus) by molecular methods. Faecal samples were collected from free-ranging (n = 1058) and farmed (n = 324) wild ungulates from five Spanish bioregions. The parasite was detected only in red deer (10.4%, 68/653) and wild boar (0.8%, 3/359). Enterocytozoon bieneusi infections were more common in farmed (19.4%, 63/324) than in wild (1.5%, 5/329) red deer. A total of 11 genotypes were identified in red deer, eight known (BEB6, BEB17, EbCar2, HLJD-V, MWC_d1, S5, Type IV, and Wildboar3) and three novel (DeerSpEb1, DeerSpEb2, and DeerSpEb3) genotypes. Mixed genotype infections were detected in 15.9% of farmed red deer. Two genotypes were identified in wild boar, a known (Wildboar3) and a novel (WildboarSpEb1) genotypes. All genotypes identified belonged to E. bieneusi zoonotic Groups 1 and 2. This study provides the most comprehensive epidemiological study of E. bieneusi in Spanish ungulates to date, representing the first evidence of the parasite in wild red deer populations worldwide. Spanish wild boars and red deer are reservoir of zoonotic genotypes of E. bieneusi and might play an underestimated role in the transmission of this microsporidian species to humans and other animal

Report based on comparison of case studies in different wild boar populations representative of the different management and habitat conditions across Europe

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A note on human-livestock-wildlife interactions and implications for food safety

This chapter addresses (1) the distribution and abundance trends of key wildlife hosts of food-borne zoonotic infections in Europe; (2) some representative case-studies regarding food-borne zoonoses shared with wildlife, with particular regard to the role of direct and indirect human-livestock-wildlife interactions; and (3) the efforts required to monitor and eventually control diseases shared with wildlife. Zoonotic agents may reach human beings both direct from wildlife, e.g. through game meat manipulation and raw consumption, or indirectly through contaminated vegetables or through the infection of livestock which might in turn transmit the agent to human beings. However, not all wildlife species have the same relevance, and not all taxa have been studied deeply enough to reveal their actual role as a source of human pathogens. Given the widespread distribution and the current trends of wildlife populations, and their close interaction with humans and domestic animals, prevention remains the best tool for limiting the occurrence of wildlife-related food-borne zoonotic disease events. However, it is advisable to monitor both disease prevalences and wildlife populations in order to record any significant changes and take action accordingly. Predicted future changes include growing abundances of certain relevant host species, notably synanthropic birds and rodents and opportunistic species such as the wild boar and the red fox. Along with this, increased farming, translocating and feeding of wildlife will also contribute to create appropriate environments for zoonotic pathogen emergence. Disease control efforts, even if restricted to a minority of pathogens, are therefore predicted to become more common.We would like to thank the EU 7FP grant APHAEA (EMIDA ERA-NET) and the Plan Nacional l+D+i AGL2011-30041 from the Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad (MINECO), Spain, and FEDER.Peer Reviewe

A proposal to consider animal health aspects in the regulation of game management

[ES]: Las especies cinegéticas comparten infecciones con el hombre, los animales domésticos y el resto de la fauna silvestre que pueden afectar seriamente a la salud pública, la sanidad animal, la conservación y la producción cinegética; de ahí su relevancia. Pese a ello, la sanidad de las especies cinegéticas apenas es tenida en cuenta en los planes de gestión de estas especies. En este texto enumeramos las principales debilidades de la gestión cinegética desde el punto de vista sanitario: (1) la no aplicación de la legislación sobre control sanitario en traslados y repoblaciones; (2) la indefinición del estatus de las granjas cinegéticas; (3) la ausencia de un registro de “cercones” y la ilegalidad de los mismos; (4) la falta de clasificación correcta de los terrenos cinegéticos; (5) el seguimiento inadecuado del tamaño de las poblaciones y sus efectos sobre el medio; (6) la falta de regulación del aporte artificial de alimento; (7) la falta de consideración de los riesgos sanitarios derivados de la sobreabundancia; (8) los conflictos por la gestión de residuos de caza; (9) la deficiente inspección sanitaria de los animales cazados; (10) la no regulación de los tratamientos farmacológicos en especies cinegéticas y (11) la falta de intercambio de información dentro de la Administración Pública y la necesidad de valoración y aprobación del plan técnico de caza por la autoridad de sanidad animal. Para cada una de ellas, proponemos cambios en la regulación de la actividad cinegética, basándonos en ejemplos españoles y en la literatura científica internacional.[EN]: Game species share diseases with humans, livestock and wildlife, hence their relevance. However, game species health is not considered in current Spanish hunting management regulation. This paper lists the main weaknesses of game management from the sanitary point of view: (1) insufficient enforcement of current animal health and movement regulations, (2) lack of a clear definition and classification of game farms, (3) uncertain status of interior wild boar fences or “cercones”, (4) lack of a proper classification of the hunting estates, (5) inadequate wildlife population monitoring, (6) lack of regulation on artificial feeding, (7) health risks associated to overabundance; (8) big game waste conflicts (9) poor veterinary inspection of hunted animals (10), lack of regulation of pharmaceutical treatments on game species, and (11) poor information flow within the administration departments. For each point, we propose changes to the hunting regulation, based on Spanish and international scientific literature.Este trabajo es una contribución a la Encomienda de gestión sobre vigilancia sanitaria de fauna silvestre de MAGRAMA a IREC-CSIC, y al proyecto europeo APHAEA (EMIDA ERA-NET). Marina Álvarez (MAGRAMA) aportó información valiosa sobre las granjas cinegéticas registradas en España. PA disfruta actualmente de un contrato postdoctoral (SFRH/BPD/90320/2012) de la Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia.Peer Reviewe

Spatial risk for tuberculosis in relation to domestic and wild ungulate distribution assessed by unmanned aerial systems

Resumen del póster presentado a la 62nd International Conference of the Wildlife Disease Association. "Utilizing Wildlife Health to Conserve Biodiversity in the Appalachians and Beyond", celebrada en Knoxville, Tennessee (USA) del 27 de julio al 2 de agosto de 2013.The study of host aggregation is relevant in the study of the transmission of diseases in ungulates, both from epidemiological andmanagement perspectives. Ungulates in South Spain are frequently exposed to mycobacteria. Population demography and behavior, as well as environmental exposure may play an important role for intra- and inter-specific pathogen transmission. We hypothesized that Mycobacterium bovis infection prevalence in wild ungulates depends on host ecology and variations in prevalence will reflect variation in the interaction between hosts and environmental aggregation risk factors, namely water points during the dry season.We aimed to study the role of water sources (water holes and marsh-shrub ecotone) relative to natural resources and other hosts in ungulate distribution and environmental TB infection risk in Doñana National Park (DNP, South western Spain). For this purpose, and by using a novel approach (unmanned aerial systems), we mapped the spatial distribution and aggregation pattern of ungulates respect to potential environmental risk factors (environmental water sources) and the distribution of other hosts during the period of the year when water resources becomes more limiting, i.e., drought. Drought severely reduces foodavailability,and therefore aggregation around water resources is expected to be maximal This study revealed that spatial aggregation is significant risk factor for mycobacterial infection in wild ungulates, reflecting both interspecific and intraspecific transmission. Modeling revealed that environmental water sources could act not only as important environmental sources ofmycobacteria, but also by favoring closer contactbetween the species in DNP. This could promote the transmission of M. bovis by close contact and/or indirecttransmission.Peer Reviewe

Uso del espacio e interacciones espacio-temporales entre jabalí y ganado: repercusiones sanitarias en Doñana

Resumen del póster presentado a la V Reunión sobre Ungulados Silvestres Ibéricos (RUSI), celebrada en Ciudad Real el 12 y 13 de septiembre de 2014.-- et al.El control de las enfermedades infecciosas es complejo debido al escaso conocimiento de los procesos ecológicos que determinan la transmisión de patógenos entre reservorios silvestres y poblaciones simpátricas de ganado doméstico. En este contexto, la evaluación del uso del hábitat y su repercusión sobre las interacciones inter‐específicas es un factor importante para la determinación del riesgo local de transmisión y mantenimiento de las enfermedades. Así, en este estudio utilizamos datos de seguimiento posicional simultáneo (mediante collares GPS‐GSM) de vacuno en extensivo y jabalí (Sus scrofa) para evaluar las interacciones espacio‐temporales y las implicaciones asociadas para la tuberculosis (TB) en un sistema epidemiológico con múltiples hospedadores, el Parque Nacional de Doñana (PND, sur de España). Los resultados muestran un solapamiento espacial a una escala muy fina entre ambas especies que fue estacionalmente mayor en determinados hábitats. En general, las interacciones espaciales entre especies fueron mayores en el ecotono comprendido entre la marisma y el matorral (conocido localmente como “vera”) y en los puntos de agua permanentes. Ambas especies utilizaron recursos diferentes durante invierno y primavera. Sin embargo, la limitación de recursos en el área de estudio durante el verano y el otoño, cuando los alimentos y la disponibilidad de agua se reducen drásticamente, dio lugar a un alto solapamiento, con el consiguiente aumento de las tasas de encuentro inter‐específico. El gradiente espacial de solapamiento entre las dos especies en DNP correlaciona significativamente con la variación espacial en la incidencia de TB en vacuno. Los resultados sugieren que el ecotono y los puntos permanentes de agua actúan como potenciales focos de transmisión de TB en ambientes mediterráneos, sobre todo durante verano y otoño. Con estos resultados se pueden inferir medidas de gestión concretas para reducir las posibles interacciones entre ungulados silvestres y domésticos con el fin de prevenir la transmisión de agentes infecciosos.Peer Reviewe

Spatiotemporal interactions between wild boar and cattle: implications for cross-species disease transmission

This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License.-- et al.Controlling infectious diseases at the wildlife/livestock interface is often difficult because the ecological processes driving transmission between wildlife reservoirs and sympatric livestock populations are poorly understood. Thus, assessing how animals use their environment and how this affects interspecific interactions is an important factor in determining the local risk for disease transmission and maintenance. We used data from concurrently monitored GPS-collared domestic cattle and wild boar (Sus scrofa) to assess spatiotemporal interactions and associated implications for bovine tuberculosis (TB) transmission in a complex ecological and epidemiological system, Doñana National Park (DNP, South Spain). We found that fine-scale spatial overlap of cattle and wild boar was seasonally high in some habitats. In general, spatial interactions between the two species were highest in the marsh-shrub ecotone and at permanent water sources, whereas shrub-woodlands and seasonal grass-marshlands were areas with lower predicted relative interactions. Wild boar and cattle generally used different resources during winter and spring in DNP. Conversely, limited differences in resource selection during summer and autumn, when food and water availability were limiting, resulted in negligible spatial segregation and thus probably high encounter rates. The spatial gradient in potential overlap between the two species across DNP corresponded well with the spatial variation in the observed incidence of TB in cattle and prevalence of TB in wild boar. We suggest that the marsh-shrub ecotone and permanent water sources act as important points of TB transmission in our system, particularly during summer and autumn. Targeted management actions are suggested to reduce potential interactions between cattle and wild boar in order to prevent disease transmission and design effective control strategies.The present work has benefited from the financial aid of research grants JCCM (PEII10-0262-7673), EU (FP7 grant 613779 WildTBVac) and MINECO (AGL2013-48523-C3-1-R). JAB holds an FPU pre-doctoral scholarship. PA is supported by MINECO-UCLM through “Ramón y Cajal” contract (RYC-2012-11970) and partly by EMIDA-ERA-NET grant APHAEA (219235-FP7-ERA-NET-EMIDA)