Animals

Research

Jump to: Other

9 pages, 973 KiB

Open AccessArticle

First Molecular Detection of Neospora caninum in Feces of Grey Wolf (Canis lupus) and Golden Jackal (Canis aureus) Populations in Slovenia

by Petra Bandelj, Darja Kušar, Laura Šimenc, Urška Jamnikar-Ciglenečki, Gorazd Vengušt and Diana Žele Vengušt

Animals 2023, 13(19), 3089; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani13193089 - 3 Oct 2023

Viewed by 1036

Abstract

Neospora caninum is an obligate intracellular parasite that causes reproductive disorders and major economic losses in cattle, and induces neuromuscular disorders in canids. Exogenous infections are becoming increasingly important due to disease outbreaks. The sylvatic life cycle of N. caninum interferes with the [...] Read more.

Neospora caninum is an obligate intracellular parasite that causes reproductive disorders and major economic losses in cattle, and induces neuromuscular disorders in canids. Exogenous infections are becoming increasingly important due to disease outbreaks. The sylvatic life cycle of N. caninum interferes with the domestic dog-ruminant life cycle, but understanding of it is scarce. The population of wild canids may play an important role in parasite dispersion. Feces from 42 grey wolves (Canis lupus) and 39 golden jackals (Canis aureus) were analyzed for the N. caninum Nc5 gene using a novel real-time PCR (qPCR) with a detection limit of 5 targets/µL in clinical samples. Three wolves (3/42; 7.1%) and one golden jackal (1/39; 2.6%) tested positive, which is the first detection of N. caninum in the population of grey wolves in Slovenia and the first detection of N. caninum DNA in the feces of a golden jackal. In addition to the grey wolf, we propose the golden jackal as a potential definitive host with hypothetical epidemiological importance for the sylvatic-domestic life cycle of N. caninum, due to its proximity to human habitats and its rapid expansion throughout Europe. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Wildlife as a Source of Infectious Agents Involved in Zoonoses and Domestic Animal Infections)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

7 pages, 470 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Occurrence of Borrelia sp. among Wild Living Invasive and Native Mesocarnivores in Poland

by Joanna Hildebrand, Kacper Jurczyk, Marcin Popiołek, Katarzyna Buńkowska-Gawlik and Agnieszka Perec-Matysiak

Animals 2022, 12(20), 2829; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani12202829 - 18 Oct 2022

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1525

Abstract

Wild living mesocarnivores, both introduced and native species, are able to adapt well to peri-urban environments, facilitating cross-species pathogen transmission with domestic animals, and potentially humans. Individual tissue samples derived from 284 specimens of six carnivore species, i.e., raccoon, raccoon dog, red fox, [...] Read more.

Wild living mesocarnivores, both introduced and native species, are able to adapt well to peri-urban environments, facilitating cross-species pathogen transmission with domestic animals, and potentially humans. Individual tissue samples derived from 284 specimens of six carnivore species, i.e., raccoon, raccoon dog, red fox, European badger, pine marten and stone marten, were used for molecular investigations with the nested PCR method. The animals were sampled in the Ruszów Forest District (Poland). We aimed to examine the relative importance of the studied mesocarnivores as hosts of Borrelia spp. and investigated their role in this spirochaete’s transmission cycle. We also aimed to trace the reservoir competence of these invasive and native predators and borreliosis eco-epidemiology in the context of a dilution effect. The overall prevalence of Borrelia spp. in the tested carnivores was 8.8%. Almost all of the consensus sequences of the partial flaB gene shared identity with a sequence of specific Borrelia species, i.e., B. afzelii, B. garinii and B. burgdorferi. Our results suggest that raccoons may play a role as reservoir hosts for these spirochaetal bacteria. The role of invasive species seems to be worthy of further analysis with reference to the circulation of vector-borne pathogens as well as in the context of the “dilution effect” hypothesis. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Wildlife as a Source of Infectious Agents Involved in Zoonoses and Domestic Animal Infections)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

11 pages, 1822 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Haplotype of Wild Korean Boars Infected by Classical Swine Fever Virus Subgenotype 2.1d

by SeEun Choe, Ki-Sun Kim, Gyu-Nam Park, Sok Song, Jihye Shin, Bang-Hun Hyun and Dong-Jun An

Animals 2022, 12(19), 2670; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani12192670 - 4 Oct 2022

Viewed by 1307

Abstract

Classical swine fever virus (CSFV) is one of the major pathogens that causes severe economic damage to the swine industry. Circulation of CSFV in wild boars carries the potential risk of reintroducing the virus into CSFV-free pig farms. This study carried out a [...] Read more.

Classical swine fever virus (CSFV) is one of the major pathogens that causes severe economic damage to the swine industry. Circulation of CSFV in wild boars carries the potential risk of reintroducing the virus into CSFV-free pig farms. This study carried out a genetic analysis of CSFV isolates from wild boars and analyzed the mtDNA haplotypes of the wild boars. Blood samples (n = 2140) from wild Korean boars captured in 2020 were subjected to qRT-PCR to detect CSFV, which was classified as subgenotype 2.1d based on phylogenetic analysis. CSFV had been detected in wild boars only in northern regions (Gangwon and Gyeonggi) of South Korea between 2011 and 2019. However, CSFV was identified in wild boars in the more southern regions (Chungbuk and Gyeongbuk) in 2020. Based on mitochondrial DNA analysis, all wild boars with CSFV were haplotype 01 (H01). Thus, we presume that the H01 haplotype is more susceptible to CSFV. In the future, infection of wild boars by CSFV is expected to occur intermittently every year, and we predict that most wild boars infected with CSFV will be haplotype H01. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Wildlife as a Source of Infectious Agents Involved in Zoonoses and Domestic Animal Infections)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

11 pages, 1024 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Detection of Porcine Circovirus 1/2/3 and Genetic Analysis of Porcine Circovirus 2 in Wild Boar from Jiangxi Province of China

by Xifeng Hu, Zheng Chen, Yu Li, Zhen Ding, Qinghua Zeng, Tong Wan and Huansheng Wu

Animals 2022, 12(16), 2021; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani12162021 - 10 Aug 2022

Cited by 9 | Viewed by 1619

Abstract

A number of disorders that harm pig production are linked to porcine circoviruses, including PCV2. PCV2 infection is a substantial contributor to porcine-circovirus-associated illnesses (PCAS) and the post-weaning multi-systemic wasting syndrome (PMWS), which have a significant negative economic impact on pig production. Additionally, [...] Read more.

A number of disorders that harm pig production are linked to porcine circoviruses, including PCV2. PCV2 infection is a substantial contributor to porcine-circovirus-associated illnesses (PCAS) and the post-weaning multi-systemic wasting syndrome (PMWS), which have a significant negative economic impact on pig production. Additionally, PCV infection has been labeled as a global concern to cattle and wildlife. This study’s objectives were to examine the prevalence of PCV1/2/3 in Jiangxi Province, China, and to clarify the epidemiological significance of wild boar in PCV epidemiology. The 2020 hunting seasons resulted in the collection of 138 wild boar samples for PCV1/2/3 detection, which was followed by the genetic clarification of PCV2 strains. According to our data, 21.7% (30/138) of the population had PCV1 positivity, 22.5% (31/138) had PCV2 positivity, and 5.8% (8/138) had PCV3 positivity. Additionally, 10 out of 138 wild boar samples had PCV1 and PCV2 co-infections, while 5 out of 138 wild boar samples had PCV2 and PC3 co-infections. Nineteen full-length PCV2 genomes measuring 1767 nt were recovered from various animal tissues using conventional PCR. Eighteen out of nineteen PCV2 strains were identified as PCV2b by phylogenetic tree analysis, which was completed by the reference strain HLJ2015 obtained from domestic pigs in 2015. Additionally, one genotype of PCV2d JX11-2020 (MW889021) shared a sub-branch with the referenced strain TJ (AY181946), which was isolated in domestic pigs in 2002. This finding raises the possibility that domestic pigs could contract PCV2 strains from wild boar, posing a serious threat to the Jiangxi province of China’s pig production industry. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Wildlife as a Source of Infectious Agents Involved in Zoonoses and Domestic Animal Infections)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

9 pages, 984 KiB

Open AccessCommunication

Viral Co-Infections of Warthogs in Namibia with African Swine Fever Virus and Porcine Parvovirus 1

by Umberto Molini, Giovanni Franzo, Tirumala B. K. Settypalli, Maria Y. Hemberger, Siegfried Khaiseb, Giovanni Cattoli, William G. Dundon and Charles E. Lamien

Animals 2022, 12(13), 1697; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani12131697 - 30 Jun 2022

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 1639

Abstract

Understanding virus circulation in wild animals, particularly those that have contact with domestic animals, is crucial for disease management and control. In Africa, warthogs are known to be asymptomatic carriers of porcine pathogens; a recent study in Namibia has shown them to be [...] Read more.

Understanding virus circulation in wild animals, particularly those that have contact with domestic animals, is crucial for disease management and control. In Africa, warthogs are known to be asymptomatic carriers of porcine pathogens; a recent study in Namibia has shown them to be positive for Porcine circovirus-2 (PCV-2). In this study, the same samples used for the PCV-2 investigation in Namibia were further screened for the presence of African swine fever virus (ASFV) and porcine parvovirus 1 (PPV1) by PCR. Of the 42 animals tested, 2 (4.8%) and 13 (31%) were positive for AFSV and PPV1, respectively. The two AFSV were also co-infected with PPV1. Combing the results of this study with the results of the previous PCV-2 investigation, four warthogs were shown to be co-infected with both PPV1 and PCV-2. Sequence and phylogenetic analysis revealed that the AFSV belonged to genotype (Ib) but were from different serogroups. Unexpectedly, the ASFVs from the warthogs were genetically distinct to those observed in an outbreak in the same region of Namibia that occurred less than fifteen months prior to the sampling of the warthogs. In fact, a stronger genetic relationship was observed between the warthog viruses and historical Namibian and South African ASFVs identified in 1980, 2004 and 2008. For the PPV1s, the closest relative to the Namibian PPV1 were viruses identified in wild boar in Romania in 2011. This study confirms that warthogs are carriers of porcine pathogens and the data should encourage further studies on larger populations of wild and domestic swine to more fully understand the epidemiology and transmission of viral pathogens from these species. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Wildlife as a Source of Infectious Agents Involved in Zoonoses and Domestic Animal Infections)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

9 pages, 649 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Molecular Epidemiology and Genetic Diversity of Enterocytozoon bieneusi in Cervids from Milu Park in Beijing, China

by Qingxun Zhang, Zhenyu Zhong, Zhiqiang Xia, Qinghui Meng, Yunfang Shan, Qingyun Guo, Zhibin Cheng, Peiyang Zhang, Hongxuan He and Jiade Bai

Animals 2022, 12(12), 1539; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani12121539 - 14 Jun 2022

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1529

Abstract

Enterocytozoon bieneusi is the most prevalent microsporidian species that can cause zoonotic diseases in humans and animals. Despite receiving increasing attention in relation to domestic animals, there has been limited information on the infection burden of E. bieneusi in cervids. Altogether, 215 fecal [...] Read more.

Enterocytozoon bieneusi is the most prevalent microsporidian species that can cause zoonotic diseases in humans and animals. Despite receiving increasing attention in relation to domestic animals, there has been limited information on the infection burden of E. bieneusi in cervids. Altogether, 215 fecal samples collected from four deer species in Beijing, China were examined by nested- Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR)targeting the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region. The overall prevalence of E. bieneusi in deer was 21.9% (47/215), with 30.0% (24/80) in Pere David’s deer, 27.3% (15/55) in fallow deer, 12.5% (5/40) in sika deer, and 7.5% (3/40) in Chinese water deer. Thirteen E. bieneusi genotypes were identified, including six known (HLJD-V, MWC_d1, BEB6, CGC2, JLD-XV, and HND-I) and seven novel genotypes (BJED-I to BJED-V, BJFD, and BJCWD). A phylogenetic analysis showed that 38.3% of the isolates belonged to zoonotic Group 1. In addition, E. bieneusi infection was first detected in fallow deer and Chinese water deer, which could act as potential zoonotic reservoirs. Our findings suggest that E. bieneusi circulates in deer and might be of importance to public health. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Wildlife as a Source of Infectious Agents Involved in Zoonoses and Domestic Animal Infections)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

7 pages, 636 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Epidemiology of Porcine Circovirus Type 2 Circulating in Wild Boars of Portugal during the 2018–2020 Hunting Seasons Suggests the Emergence of Genotype 2d

by Alícia de Sousa Moreira, Sérgio Santos-Silva, João Mega, Josman D. Palmeira, Rita T. Torres and João R. Mesquita

Animals 2022, 12(4), 451; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani12040451 - 12 Feb 2022

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1725

Abstract

Porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV-2) is associated with several syndromes affecting swine, also known as porcine-circovirus-associated diseases, of which post-weaning multi-systemic wasting syndrome stands out due to its high economic impact on swine production. Recent data suggest the increasing circulation of the PCV-2d [...] Read more.

Porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV-2) is associated with several syndromes affecting swine, also known as porcine-circovirus-associated diseases, of which post-weaning multi-systemic wasting syndrome stands out due to its high economic impact on swine production. Recent data suggest the increasing circulation of the PCV-2d genotype in several countries worldwide. To provide updated data on PCV-2 genotypes currently circulating in swine in Portugal, we screened wild boar stools collected from several districts across Portugal, during the 2018–2020 hunting seasons, for PCV-2 and genetically characterized detected strains. From a total of 76 stool samples of wild boar tested by PCR for the partial PCV-2 ORF2 gene, two sequences were obtained (2/76; 2.6%, 95% confidence interval: 0.032–9.18). Bidirectional sequencing showed that the sequences were 100% identical and both of the PCV-2d genotype, showing for the first time the presence of this genotype in Portugal. Monitoring wild PCV-2 reservoirs is important for both veterinary public health and economic reasons, since PCV-2 infection has a strong economic impact on the swine industry. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Wildlife as a Source of Infectious Agents Involved in Zoonoses and Domestic Animal Infections)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

Other

Jump to: Research

9 pages, 4792 KiB

Open AccessBrief Report

High Prevalence of Tick-Borne Zoonotic Rickettsia slovaca in Ticks from Wild Boars, Northeastern Italy

by Laura Grassi, Maria Luisa Menandro, Rudi Cassini, Alessandra Mondin, Daniela Pasotto, Marika Grillini, Giuseppe Rocca and Michele Drigo

Animals 2022, 12(8), 967; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani12080967 - 8 Apr 2022

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1950

Abstract

Tick-borne rickettsiae are emerging pathogens that are becoming widespread in Europe. Rickettsiae are endemic in Italy, but epidemiological data are currently scarce. This study aimed to improve our knowledge about rickettsial infections in tick and wild boar populations. Blood and ticks were collected [...] Read more.

Tick-borne rickettsiae are emerging pathogens that are becoming widespread in Europe. Rickettsiae are endemic in Italy, but epidemiological data are currently scarce. This study aimed to improve our knowledge about rickettsial infections in tick and wild boar populations. Blood and ticks were collected from 102 wild boars in 2010 and 2018. Ticks were also collected from the vegetation in the area. All of the samples were examined using real-time PCR targeting the gltA gene to detect Rickettsia DNA. Positivity was confirmed by PCR amplifying the gltA and/or ompB genes. A total of 254 ticks and 89 blood samples were analyzed. Zoonotic rickettsiae were detected in the ticks but not in the blood samples. Rickettsia slovaca (R. slovaca) was the most prevalent in ticks and was found in 23.7% of Dermacentor marginatus (D. marginatus) and in 3.4% of Ixodes ricinus (I. ricinus). Other zoonotic species were identified, such as Rickettsia monacensis, which was detected in 12% of I. ricinus ticks, and Rickettsia helvetica which was found in 3.4% of questing I. ricinus ticks and in 1.1% of D. marginatus collected from wild boars. This study highlights a high prevalence of zoonotic rickettsiae, particularly that of R. slovaca, in northeastern Italy. As rickettsioses are underreported and underdiagnosed in human medicine, both clinicians and researchers should pay more attention to this topic. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Wildlife as a Source of Infectious Agents Involved in Zoonoses and Domestic Animal Infections)

► Show Figures

Graphical abstract

Journal Menu

Journal Browser

Wildlife as a Source of Infectious Agents Involved in Zoonoses and Domestic Animal Infections

Share This Special Issue

Special Issue Editors

Special Issue Information

Keywords

Published Papers (8 papers)

Research

Other

Further Information

Guidelines

MDPI Initiatives

Follow MDPI