Intracolonial differences in the infestation by Haemoproteus lari on Yellow-legged Gulls Larus cachinnans

The prevalence and intensity of Haemoproteus lari infestation were studied in a colony of Yellow-legged Gulls (Larus cachinnans) on the Medes Islands (NE Spain) during 1994 and 1995. Prevalence did not differ between years, sexes, clutch sizes or nesting habitats . More heavily infected females tended to lay smaller clutches and to be in a leaner body condition; in males, intensity of parasites was unrelated to their clutch size and their body condition. These results are partially consistent with the detrimental effect of blood parasites, but also with a tendency for stressed birds to relapse . Intensity of parasitemia differed both between years and among nesting habitats of the gullery, probably as a result of differences in bird quality at the time of sampling. We suggest that these effects should be controlled for in studies dealing with parasites in colonial nesting birds

Health evaluation of a pronghorn antelope population in Oregon

During 1996 and 1997, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service conducted a study to determine the cause(s) of population decline and low survival of pronghorn antelope (Antilocapra americana) fawns on Hart Mountain National Antelope Refuge (HMNAR) located in southeastern Oregon (USA). As part of that study, blood, fecal, and tissue samples from 104 neonatal fawns, 40 adult does, and nine adult male pronghorns were collected to conduct a health evaluation of the population. Physiological parameters related to nutrition and/or disease were studied. No abnormalities were found in the complete blood cell counts of adults (n = 40) or fawns (n = 44 to 67). Serum total protein and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) levels were lower compared to other pronghorn populations. Does had mean BUN values significantly lower (P < 0.001) in December 1996 than March 1997. Serum copper (Cu) levels in does (range 0.39 to 0.74 ppm) were considered marginal when compared to domestic animals and other wild ungulates. Fawns had low (0.28 ppm) Cu levels at birth and reached the does' marginal values in about 3 days. Whole blood, serum and liver selenium (Se) levels were considered marginal to low in most segments of the pronghorn population. However, serum levels of vitamin E (range 1.98 to 3.27 μg/ml), as determined from the does captured in March, were apparently sufficient to offset any signs of Se deficiency. No clinical signs of Cu or Se deficiency were observed. Fifty-five of 87 dead fawns were necropsied. Trauma, due to predation by coyotes (Canis latrans), accounted for 62% of the mortality during mid-May to mid-July of each year. Other causes included predation by golden eagles (Aquila chrysaetos) (4%), dystocia (2%), septicemic pasteurellosis (4%), starvation (5%), and unknown (23%). Adult females were tested for serum neutralizing antibodies to Brucella spp. (n = 20, negative), Leptospira interrogans (n = 20, negative), bluetongue virus (n = 20, 35% positive), epizootic hemorrhagic disease virus (n = 20, 30% positive), respiratory syncytial virus (n = 18, negative), parainfluenza virus type 3 (n = 18, 67% positive), infectious bovine rhinotracheitis (n = 18, negative), and bovine viral diarrhea (n = 18, negative). Considering the parameters examined, we found no apparent predisposing factors to mortality including those killed by coyotes, but some nutritional parameters suggest that pronghorns on HMNAR exist on a diet low in protein and Se and marginal in Cu. The effect these factors have on the population is not known

Rinitis crónica en tortugas terrestres mediterráneas

Se describen la sintomatología, alteraciones hematológicas y bioquímicas más importantes, junto con las lesiones histológicas que aparecen en la rinitis crónica de las tortugas terrestres mediterráneas

The synzootic potential of common epidemics in chamois populations

Altres ajuts: acords transformatius de la UABSouthern chamois (Rupicapra pyrenaica) is a medium-sized and gregarious mountain ungulate with populations affected by periodic outbreaks of border disease virus (BD), infectious keratoconjunctivitis (IKC), and sarcoptic mange (SM). Even though the impact of each disease on chamois populations has been described in detail, there is a lack of information about the potential impact of concomitant epidemics and the synzootic potential (co-occurring enzootic or epizootic processes producing worse health outcomes in wildlife) on chamois populations. Furthermore, whether a specific order of apparition of epidemics is more or less harmful for the host population is practically unknown not only for chamois but also for most mammal populations. Using a population viability analysis (PVA), we studied the consequences of multiple disease outbreaks with synzootic potential on growth rates and probabilities of extinction of virtual populations exposed to hard winters, density dependence, and co-occurring BD, IKC, and SM outbreaks. Such infections are not under cross-immunity nor density-dependent processes and thus are supposed to affect population demography independently. Heavy snowfalls are also likely to occur in our simulated populations. Our simulations showed that a second outbreak, even caused by a low virulent pathogen, causes an increase in the probability of extinction of the host population with regard to the first outbreak. IKC-BD- and SM-BD-affected populations had a higher risk of becoming extinct in 50 years confirming the extra risk of multiple outbreaks on the viability of the affected populations

First description of sarcoptic mange in an Iberian hare (Lepus granatensis)

The Iberian hare (Lepus granatensis) is a popular small game species in the Iberian Peninsula, and it has never been reported to be affected by sarcoptic mange. An adult female Iberian hare with overt skin lesions on forelimbs and ventral thorax, suggestive of sarcoptic mange, was culled in Quart de les Valls municipality in the Valencian Community, Spain, in 2019. Skin scrapings were digested in 10% KOH solutions to confirm the presence of mites. Ten Sarcoptes microsatellite markers were used to characterize the genetic structure of mites obtained from the hare, and from sympatric and allopatric wild rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) and red foxes (Vulpes vulpes). A total of 56 alleles were counted across the 10 microsatellite loci. Six private alleles were found at four loci (Sarms 33, 38, 41, 45). The multivariate analysis characterized three main clusters, corresponding to mites collected on foxes originating from Catalonia, foxes from Valencia and the hare plus wild rabbits. To our knowledge, this is the first reported case of sarcoptic mange in the Iberian hare. The origin was molecularly traced back to contacts with endemically infected wild rabbits. We encourage further investigations on cross-transmissibility of S. scabiei between wild rabbits and the diverse representatives of Lepus spp

Chronic rhinitis associated with herpesviral infection in captive spur-thighed tortoises from Spain

An epidemic of chronic rhinitis in a population of 50 captive spur-thighed tortoises (Testudo graeca graeca) from Palafrugell (Girona, Spain) is described, in which eight animals died and 12 were euthanatized to perform necropsies and post-mortem studies. The main clinical sign was a bilateral, seromucous rhinitis often accompanied by stomatitis and glossitis. Hematology and serum biochemistry were performed in 33 of the 50 ill animals and in 29 healthy tortoises from three disease-free populations. Lymphocyte count, aspartate aminotransferase (AST) activity, and a-globulin levels were significantly higher in the animals from the sick poptulation. The heterophil count was significantly lower in the sick animals. Some of the diseased tortoises also showed a normocytic-normochromic anemia. Lesions were restricted to the respiratory system and oral cavity. Marked epithelial hyperplasia and presence of a severe mixed inflammatory infiltrate in the epithelium of the oral, nasal, and tracheal miucosae were observed. Electron mi- croscopy demonstrated the presence of mntracytoplasmic and intranuclear viral particles of the size, shape, and distribution pattern typical of a herpesvirus. Key words: Chronic rhinitis, epidemic, herpesviral infection, spur-thighed tortoise, Testudo graeca graeca

High Mortality Associated with Thyroid Hyperplasia in European Pond Turtles, Emys orbicularis (L., 1758) (Emydidae) in a Breeding Facility at the Ebro Delta, NE Spain

An outbreak of mortality in a breeding facility of European Pond Turtles (Emys orbicularis) in the Ebro Delta (Tarragona, Spain) occurred in 2014-2015. The breeding program began in 2006 and has generated up to 250 turtles every year. They are released when they are 4 to 5 years old. After a change of the diet of the turtles born during 2014-2015, a mortality of 91% (334 out of 366 animals) was calculated for the hatchlings from 2014. Clinical signs were soft shells, apathy and anorexia approximately 1-5 days before death in all affected turtles. Histologically, thyroid follicles were lined by hypertrophic columnar epithelium and follicular lumina were mostly devoid of colloid. Kidneys were also affected, showing mild to moderate acute degeneration and tubular necrosis with mineralization of tubular epithelium. Stenotrophomonas maltophilia was isolated in pure culture from tissue pools of tested animals. PCRs sensitive for detection of ranavirus, herpesvirus and coccidia (spp.) were all negative. Thus, we conclude that the high mortality outbreak was associated with a thyroid gland hyperplasia and renal malfunction due to a change in diet, complicated with an opportunistic secondary bacterial infectio

Mycoplasma conjunctivae in insect vectors and anatomic locations related to transmission and persistence

Mycoplasma conjunctivae is an obligate microparasite that causes Infectious Keratoconjunctivitis (IKC) in Caprinae species. IKC is a long-recognised disease, but little attention has been paid to the mechanisms of transmission of the mycoplasma and its occurrence in locations other than the eyes. In this study, the presence of M. conjunctivae is assessed in the eyes, external ear canals (EEC), nasal cavity, and vagina of host species as well as in potential vectors, which may be involved in the transmission and persistence of infection within the host. M. conjunctivae was detected by qPCR in 7.2 % (CI 95% 4.7-11.0) of the ear swabs and 9.5 % (CI 95% 6.4-13.9) of the nasal swabs from Pyrenean chamois, Iberian ibex, domestic sheep and mouflon without statistical differences between species. Mycoplasma detection in nasal swabs was mostly associated with ocular infection (95.6%), but this was not the case for EEC (52.6%). Among the eye-positive ruminants, 27.3% were positive in ear swabs and 64.7% in nasal swabs, and the threshold cycle values of the qPCR were correlated only between eye and nasal swabs (p < 0.01; r2 = 0.56). M. conjunctivae was detected in 1.7% - 7.1 % of Musca spp. captured during an IKC outbreak in Iberian ibex and in one out of three endemic sheep flocks. The results indicate that the transmission of M. conjunctivae may occur by direct contact with eye or nasal secretions and/or indirectly through flies. The M. conjunctivae DNA detection in EEC suggests that it can colonise the auditory tract, but the significance for its persistence within the host should be further assessed.info:eu-repo/semantics/acceptedVersio

Experimental infection with high‐ and low‐virulence strains of border disease virus (BDV) in Pyrenean chamois (Rupicapra p. pyrenaica ) sheds light on the epidemiological diversity of the disease

Since 2001, Pyrenean chamois (Rupicapra pyrenaica pyrenaica ) populations have been affected by border disease virus (BDV) causing mortalities of more than 80% in some areas. Field studies carried out in France, Andorra, and Spain have shown different epidemiological scenarios in chamois populations. This study was designed to confirm the presence of BDV strains of a high and low virulence in free‐ranging chamois populations from Pyrenees and to understand the implications of these findings to the diverse epidemiological scenarios. An experimental infection of Pyrenean chamois with a high‐virulence (Cadí‐6) and low‐virulence (Freser‐5) BDV strains was performed. Pregnant and non‐pregnant animals with and without antibodies against BDV were included in each group. Cadí‐6 BDV strain was confirmed to be of high virulence for seronegative adults and their foetuses. The antibody negative chamois infected with Freser‐5 BDV strain did not show symptoms, presented less viral distribution and RNA load in tissues than Cadí‐6 group, and cleared the virus from the serum. However, foetuses died before the end of the experiment and RNA virus was detected in sera and tissues although with lower RNA load than the Cadí‐6 group. Chamois from both groups presented lesions in brain but the ones infected with the low‐virulence Freser‐5 BDV strain were mild and most likely transient. In both groups, seropositive pregnant females and all but one of their foetuses did not present viraemia or viral RNA in tissues. The existence of a low‐virulence strain has been confirmed experimentally and related to chamois population infection dynamics in the area where it was isolated. Such strain may persist in the chamois population through PI animals and may induce cross‐protection in chamois against high‐virulence strains. This study demonstrates that viral strain diversity is a significant factor in the heterogeneity of epidemiological scenarios in Pyrenean chamois populations.info:eu-repo/semantics/acceptedVersio