Definitive Hosts of Versteria Tapeworms (Cestoda : Taeniidae) Causing Fatal Infection in North America

We previously reported fatal infection of a captive Bornean orangutan with metacestodes of a novel taeniid tapeworm, Versteria sp. New data implicate mustelids as definitive hosts of these tapeworms in North America. At least 2 parasite genetic lineages circulate in North America, representing separate introductions from Eurasia.Peer reviewe

Zoonotic Viruses Associated with Illegally Imported Wildlife Products

The global trade in wildlife has historically contributed to the emergence and spread of infectious diseases. The United States is the world's largest importer of wildlife and wildlife products, yet minimal pathogen surveillance has precluded assessment of the health risks posed by this practice. This report details the findings of a pilot project to establish surveillance methodology for zoonotic agents in confiscated wildlife products. Initial findings from samples collected at several international airports identified parts originating from nonhuman primate (NHP) and rodent species, including baboon, chimpanzee, mangabey, guenon, green monkey, cane rat and rat. Pathogen screening identified retroviruses (simian foamy virus) and/or herpesviruses (cytomegalovirus and lymphocryptovirus) in the NHP samples. These results are the first demonstration that illegal bushmeat importation into the United States could act as a conduit for pathogen spread, and suggest that implementation of disease surveillance of the wildlife trade will help facilitate prevention of disease emergence

Inferred phylogenetic relationships of SFV <i>pol</i> sequences detected in bushmeat samples.

<p>Neighbor-joining (NJ) and maximum-likelihood (ML) analysis gave identical branching orders. New SFV sequences identified in this study are boxed. Clades of sequences from <i>Mandrillus</i>, <i>Cercopithicus</i>, <i>Chlorocebus</i>, <i>Macaca</i>, <i>Pongo</i>, <i>Gorilla</i>, <i>and Pan paniscus</i> are collapsed for presentation. Branch lengths are drawn to scale and only bootstrap values (NJ/ML) greater than 70% are shown.</p

Nonhuman primate bushmeat specimens confiscated at US airports.

<p>Examples of smuggled simian bushmeat (a) skull, (b) hand, (c) skull and torso, and (d) arm. Ruler units are centimeters.</p

Species identification and viruses found in smuggled nonhuman primate bushmeat samples¹.

1<p>Only samples testing positive are listed. All other rodent and simian samples were negative for all pathogens tested.</p>2<p>Species identification inferred with phylogenetic analysis.</p

Inferred phylogenetic relationships of herpesviruses detected in siman bushmeat samples.

<p>Neighbor-joining (NJ) and maximum-likelihood (ML) analysis gave identical branching orders. Sequences identified in bushmeat products are underlined and cluster with sub-families <i>betaherpesvirus</i> (samples: CII-028, CII-163, BM-002), and <i>gammaherpesvirus</i> (samples: CII-163, CII-013, CII-051, CII-044, CII-144, CII-040, BM-008).</p

Inferred phylogenetic relationships of SFV <i>pol</i> (∼153 bp) sequences detected in USFWS bushmeat samples.

<p>Neighbor-joining (NJ) and maximum-likelihood (ML) analysis gave identical branching orders. New SFV sequences identified in this study are underlined.</p