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25 pages, 1325 KiB

Open AccessArticle

A One-Year Retrospective Analysis of Viral and Parasitological Agents in Wildlife Animals Admitted to a First Aid Hospital

by Maria Irene Pacini, Maurizio Mazzei, Micaela Sgorbini, Rossella D’Alfonso and Roberto Amerigo Papini

Animals 2023, 13(5), 931; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani13050931 - 04 Mar 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1520

Abstract

This study aimed to provide information on the presence and frequency of viral and parasitic agents in wildlife presented to a Veterinary Teaching Hospital in 2020–2021. Serum and faecal samples were collected from 50 rescued animals (roe deer, fallow deer, foxes, badgers, pine [...] Read more.

This study aimed to provide information on the presence and frequency of viral and parasitic agents in wildlife presented to a Veterinary Teaching Hospital in 2020–2021. Serum and faecal samples were collected from 50 rescued animals (roe deer, fallow deer, foxes, badgers, pine martens, and porcupines) and examined by serological, molecular, and parasitological techniques. Transtracheal wash (TTW) was also collected post-mortem from roe deer. Overall, the results of the different techniques showed infections with the following viral and parasitic agents: Bovine Viral Diarrhea Virus, Small Ruminant Lentiviruses, Kobuvirus, Astrovirus, Canine Adenovirus 1, Bopivirus, gastrointestinal strongyles, Capillaria, Ancylostomatidae, Toxocara canis, Trichuris vulpis, Hymenolepis, Strongyloides, Eimeria, Isospora, Dictyocaulus, Angiostrongylus vasorum, Crenosoma, Dirofilaria immitis, Neospora caninum, Giardia duodenalis, and Cryptosporidium. Sequencing (Tpi locus) identified G. duodenalis sub-assemblages AI and BIV in one roe deer and one porcupine, respectively. Adult lungworms collected from the TTW were identified as Dictyocaulus capreolus (COX1 gene). This is the first molecular identification of G. duodenalis sub-assemblage AI and D. capreolus in roe deer in Italy. These results show a wide presence of pathogens in wild populations and provide an overview of environmental health surveillance. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Focus on Medicine, Surgery, Infectious and Parasitological Diseases, and Rehabilitation Aspects to Improve Wild Animal Health)

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10 pages, 289 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Relationship between Blood Parameters and Outcome in Rescued Roe Deer

by Maria Irene Pacini, Francesca Bonelli, George Lubas and Micaela Sgorbini

Animals 2022, 12(24), 3469; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani12243469 - 08 Dec 2022

Viewed by 931

Abstract

Veterinary facility admissions of wild animals are increasing alongside the interest in wildlife diseases. To improve animal welfare, it is therefore important to increase veterinarians’ knowledge of wild animal medicine and to improve the clinical and diagnostic procedures, especially in the case of [...] Read more.

Veterinary facility admissions of wild animals are increasing alongside the interest in wildlife diseases. To improve animal welfare, it is therefore important to increase veterinarians’ knowledge of wild animal medicine and to improve the clinical and diagnostic procedures, especially in the case of patients affected by trauma or multiple traumas. Blood analysis can be a quick and minimally invasive way of gathering useful clinical information for adequate treatment and management, and, together with a good clinical examination, to help predict hospitalisation outcomes. Few papers have reported reference ranges for the haematological and biochemical parameters of roe deer. This study evaluates the haematological and biochemical parameters in traumatised roe deer in relation to animal hospitalisation outcomes. The study was carried out on a cohort of 98 roe deer divided into groups according to their age and hospitalisation outcome. For each animal, a panel of haematological and biochemical parameters was performed. Significant differences were found between unweaned (<4 months old) groups in terms of MCV, MCH, CK, creatinine, total bilirubin, direct bilirubin, and indirect bilirubin, and between weaned (>4 months old) groups for total bilirubin. Creatine kinase, creatinine, and bilirubin may be useful indicators to correlate with the severity of trauma and help predict prognosis. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Focus on Medicine, Surgery, Infectious and Parasitological Diseases, and Rehabilitation Aspects to Improve Wild Animal Health)

17 pages, 1847 KiB

Open AccessCommunication

Aeromonas spp. Prevalence, Virulence, and Antimicrobial Resistance in an Ex Situ Program for Threatened Freshwater Fish—A Pilot Study with Protective Measures

by Miguel L. Grilo, Guadalupe Amaro, Lélia Chambel, Carolina S. Marques, Tiago A. Marques, Fátima Gil, Carla Sousa-Santos, Joana I. Robalo and Manuela Oliveira

Animals 2022, 12(4), 436; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani12040436 - 11 Feb 2022

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2096

Abstract

Ex situ breeding programs are important conservation tools for endangered freshwater fish. However, developing husbandry techniques that decrease the likelihood of disease, antimicrobial resistance, and virulence determinants acquisition during this process is challenging. In this pilot study, we conducted a captivity experiment with [...] Read more.

Ex situ breeding programs are important conservation tools for endangered freshwater fish. However, developing husbandry techniques that decrease the likelihood of disease, antimicrobial resistance, and virulence determinants acquisition during this process is challenging. In this pilot study, we conducted a captivity experiment with Portuguese nase (Iberochondrostoma lusitanicum), a critically endangered leuciscid species, to investigate the influence of simple protective measures (i.e., material disinfection protocols and animal handling with gloves) on the dynamics of a potential pathogenic genus, Aeromonas, as well as its virulence profiles and antimicrobial resistance signatures. Our findings show that antimicrobial resistance in Aeromonas spp. collected from I. lusitanicum significantly increased during the extent of the assay (5 weeks), with all isolates collected at the end of the study classified as multidrug-resistant. Additionally, humans handling fishes without protective measures were colonized by Aeromonas spp. The use of protective measures suggested a decreasing trend in Aeromonas spp. prevalence in I. lusitanicum, while bacterial isolates displayed significantly lower virulence index values when virulence phenotypical expression was tested at 22 °C. Despite this study representing an initial trial, which needs support from further research, protective measures tested are considered a simple tool to be applied in ex situ breeding programs for aquatic animals worldwide. Furthermore, current results raise concern regarding antimicrobial resistance amplification and zoonotic transmission of Aeromonas spp. in aquatic ex situ programs. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Focus on Medicine, Surgery, Infectious and Parasitological Diseases, and Rehabilitation Aspects to Improve Wild Animal Health)

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15 pages, 4663 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Diversity and Seasonal Dynamics of Ticks on Ring-Tailed Coatis Nasua nasua (Carnivora: Procyonidae) in Two Urban Areas from Midwestern Brazil

by Livia Perles, Thiago Fernandes Martins, Wanessa Teixeira Gomes Barreto, Gabriel Carvalho de Macedo, Heitor Miraglia Herrera, Luis Antônio Mathias, Marcelo Bahia Labruna, Darci Moraes Barros-Battesti, Rosangela Zacarias Machado and Marcos Rogério André

Animals 2022, 12(3), 293; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani12030293 - 25 Jan 2022

Cited by 8 | Viewed by 3223

Abstract

Understanding the diversity and ecology of ectoparasites in wild animals is essential for surveillance of vector-borne diseases. Coatis (Nasua nasua) easily adapt to anthropized areas, favoring close contact with domestic animals and humans, with the possibility of exchange of ectoparasites and [...] Read more.

Understanding the diversity and ecology of ectoparasites in wild animals is essential for surveillance of vector-borne diseases. Coatis (Nasua nasua) easily adapt to anthropized areas, favoring close contact with domestic animals and humans, with the possibility of exchange of ectoparasites and pathogens. The present study aimed to identify the diversity of ticks parasitizing coatis from forest urban areas of midwestern Brazil, to evaluate the seasonal dynamics of ticks during the seasons of the year, and to assess the correlation between tick species and gender and age of the sampled coatis. For this purpose, 103 coatis were captured in two Conservation areas, both located in Campo Grande city, Mato Grosso do Sul state, Midwestern Brazil. The animals’ entire body was inspected for the presence of ectoparasites, and ticks were removed for taxonomic identification. In total, 168 captures were performed in both areas during the observational study considering the first capture and recaptures. In total, 2242 ticks were collected: 838 Amblyomma larvae, 1241 A. sculptum nymphs, and 150 A. dubitatum nymphs. Thirteen adult ticks were identified as three males and five females of A. sculptum and two males and three females of A. ovale. While a quantity of Amblyomma larvae was observed in the first months of the year (January, April and May), Amblyomma nymphs showed a higher quantity during the months of July, August, October and November. No statistical difference was observed when comparing mean intensity and prevalence of Amblyomma larvae, nymphs of A. sculptum and A. dubitatum between the two sampled areas, males vs. females and immature vs. mature animals. In conclusion, three tick species were identified parasitizing coatis from forested urban fragments in midwestern Brazil, namely A. dubitatum nymphs, A. sculptum adults and nymphs, and A. ovale adults. Coatis from anthropized areas seem to present tick species diversity lower than those from natural areas. The lack of statistical difference regarding mean intensity and prevalence of Amblyomma larvae and nymphs between males vs. females and immature vs. mature animals might have reflected the gregarious behavior of coatis, since adult males live together with females and offspring outside and inside the mating season, forming large groups of individuals. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Focus on Medicine, Surgery, Infectious and Parasitological Diseases, and Rehabilitation Aspects to Improve Wild Animal Health)

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13 pages, 2907 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Endoparasite Infections of the European Hedgehog (Erinaceus europaeus) in Central Italy

by Alessia Mariacher, Andrea Santini, Irene Del Lesto, Sara Tonon, Elena Cardini, Antonino Barone, Claudia Eleni, Gianluca Fichi and Stefania Perrucci

Animals 2021, 11(11), 3171; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani11113171 - 06 Nov 2021

Cited by 9 | Viewed by 4254

Abstract

The European hedgehog is a synanthropic mammal, widely distributed in Europe. This species usually inhabits the edges of deciduous or mixed woods, but it is also very common in private gardens and public parks. Despite its popularity and frequency of contacts both with [...] Read more.

The European hedgehog is a synanthropic mammal, widely distributed in Europe. This species usually inhabits the edges of deciduous or mixed woods, but it is also very common in private gardens and public parks. Despite its popularity and frequency of contacts both with humans and with wild and domestic animals, few studies have examined the endoparasitic fauna of the hedgehog in Italy. In the present study, endoparasites of naturally deceased hedgehogs (n = 40) from central Italy (Latium and Tuscany regions) were investigated, along with concurrent gross and histopathological lesions. The most prevalent identified endoparasites were Crenosoma striatum (45%), Capillaria erinacei (42.5%) and Brachylaemus erinacei (22.5%), in accordance with previous reports from hedgehogs in southern Italy. In few subjects, Physaloptera clausa, Acanthocephalans and Cystoisospora rastegaeivae coccidia were also identified. The infection by the lungworm C. striatum was found to be significantly associated (p < 0.01) with bronchial hyperplasia and peribronchiolitis upon histopathological examination. Awareness of the most common parasitic infections in the hedgehog and of their effects on the health of these animals is extremely important, especially in wildlife rescue centers, where European hedgehog represents the most frequently hospitalized mammal species. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Focus on Medicine, Surgery, Infectious and Parasitological Diseases, and Rehabilitation Aspects to Improve Wild Animal Health)

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9 pages, 454 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Deer Rescue in Tuscany: Retrospective Analysis and Assessment of Radiography Diagnoses

by Irene Nocera, Caterina Puccinelli, Micaela Sgorbini, Simone Scoccianti, Marco Aloisi, Claudia Biliotti and Simonetta Citi

Animals 2021, 11(11), 3087; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani11113087 - 29 Oct 2021

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1416

Abstract

Animal-vehicle collisions are the major cause of rescue and need for hospitalization in wildlife referral centers. Clinicians need easy-to-use tools to make rapid decisions about whether to euthanize or treat injured animals. The aim of the study was to evaluate the data (reasons [...] Read more.

Animal-vehicle collisions are the major cause of rescue and need for hospitalization in wildlife referral centers. Clinicians need easy-to-use tools to make rapid decisions about whether to euthanize or treat injured animals. The aim of the study was to evaluate the data (reasons for rescue, diagnosed lesions, and outcome) from a hospitalized population of wildlife ungulates and investigate the benefits of using radiography as a diagnostic tool. Data were collected from three wildlife referral centers in Tuscany (Italy). The following information was collected for each animal: reason for hospitalization, clinical examination, radiographic examination, definitive diagnosis, and outcome. A chi-squared test was used to assess the benefits of radiography in detecting different traumatic lesions. Prevalence was reported according to the reason for hospitalization, definitive diagnosis, radiographic diagnosis, and outcome. The main reason for hospitalization was traumatic lesions due to vehicle collisions and 71.1% of the animals did not survive. Radiography was more useful in patients with traumatic axial skeletal lesions and/or multiple traumas with respect to traumatic appendicular skeleton lesions. Our results show that radiography is a useful diagnostic technique for assessing wildlife emergencies and it could help the clinician in making medical decisions. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Focus on Medicine, Surgery, Infectious and Parasitological Diseases, and Rehabilitation Aspects to Improve Wild Animal Health)

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14 pages, 2151 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Surveillance Study of Hepatitis E Virus (HEV) in Domestic and Wild Ruminants in Northwestern Italy

by Andrea Palombieri, Serena Robetto, Federica Di Profio, Vittorio Sarchese, Paola Fruci, Maria Cristina Bona, Giuseppe Ru, Riccardo Orusa, Fulvio Marsilio, Vito Martella and Barbara Di Martino

Animals 2020, 10(12), 2351; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani10122351 - 09 Dec 2020

Cited by 16 | Viewed by 2357

Abstract

In industrialized countries, increasing autochthonous infections of hepatitis E virus (HEV) are caused by zoonotic transmission of genotypes (Gts) 3 and 4, mainly through consumption of contaminated raw or undercooked pork meat. Although swine and wild boar are recognized as the main reservoir [...] Read more.

In industrialized countries, increasing autochthonous infections of hepatitis E virus (HEV) are caused by zoonotic transmission of genotypes (Gts) 3 and 4, mainly through consumption of contaminated raw or undercooked pork meat. Although swine and wild boar are recognized as the main reservoir for Gt3 and Gt4, accumulating evidence indicates that other animal species, including domestic and wild ruminants, may harbor HEV. Herein, we screened molecularly and serologically serum and fecal samples from two domestic and four wild ruminant species collected in Valle d’Aosta and Piemonte regions (northwestern Italy. HEV antibodies were found in sheep (21.6%), goats (11.4%), red deer (2.6%), roe deer (3.1%), and in Alpine ibex (6.3%). Molecular screening was performed using different primer sets targeting highly conserved regions of hepeviruses and HEV RNA, although at low viral loads, was detected in four fecal specimens (3.0%, 4/134) collected from two HEV seropositive sheep herds. Taken together, the data obtained document the circulation of HEV in the geographical area assessed both in wild and domestic ruminants, but with the highest seroprevalence in sheep and goats. Consistently with results from other studies conducted in southern Italy, circulation of HEV among small domestic ruminants seems to occur more frequently than expected. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Focus on Medicine, Surgery, Infectious and Parasitological Diseases, and Rehabilitation Aspects to Improve Wild Animal Health)

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10 pages, 2087 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Mortality Causes in Free-Ranging Eurasian Brown Bears (Ursus arctos arctos) in Spain 1998–2018

by Ana Balseiro, Luis J. Royo, Elena Gayo, Ramón Balsera, Olga Alarcia and Juan F. García Marín

Animals 2020, 10(9), 1538; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani10091538 - 31 Aug 2020

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2908

Abstract

This work summarizes the mortality cases of twenty-five free-ranging Eurasian wild brown bears (Ursus arctos arctos) from the Cantabrian mountain range submitted for necropsy in Asturias and Castilla y León (northwestern Spain) from 1998 to 2018. Mortality cases were classified both [...] Read more.

This work summarizes the mortality cases of twenty-five free-ranging Eurasian wild brown bears (Ursus arctos arctos) from the Cantabrian mountain range submitted for necropsy in Asturias and Castilla y León (northwestern Spain) from 1998 to 2018. Mortality cases were classified both caused by (i) “non-human intervention” or “human intervention” causes and based on (ii) “non-infectious” or “infectious” etiology. In four cases (16%) it was not possible to determine the cause of death due to the inadequate preservation of collected specimens or insufficient tissue availability. Based on “non-human intervention” or “human intervention” causes, fourteen of the 21 (66.7%) brown bears died as a consequence of “non-human intervention” due to traumatic lesions (fights, unknown traumas or infanticide), infectious canine hepatitis, neoplasia or mushroom poisoning. In contrast, seven (33.3%) brown bears died by “human intervention” due to illegal hunting (shooting or snare), handling (during transit in an attempt to reintroduce a bear back into the wild) or strychnine poisoning. Based on “non-infectious” or “infectious” etiology, twelve of the 21 (57.1%) brown bears died due to “non-infectious” causes, namely traumatic lesions such as shooting, snare, fighting or infanticide, handling, strychnine poisoning, mushroom poisoning or neoplasia. The remaining nine (42.9%) animals died due to “infectious” diseases which included gangrenous myositis, infectious canine hepatitis or septicemia. In six of those cases traumatic lesions caused by non-human or human activities were complicated with bacterial infection (clostridiosis and septicemia) which finally caused the death of those animals. Additionally, exertional myopathy was observed in the handled animal and in one bear found in a snare. In a free-ranging population of Eurasian brown bear from the Cantabrian mountain range, main causes of death are attributed to non-human related traumatic lesions and infectious diseases (primary developed such as infectious canine hepatitis or secondary developed such as clostridiosis or septicemia) which is in contrast to previously reported data for other bear populations. These data are valuable and may help in the conservation and management of this recovering population. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Focus on Medicine, Surgery, Infectious and Parasitological Diseases, and Rehabilitation Aspects to Improve Wild Animal Health)

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