Prevalence of antibodies against Toxoplasma gondii and Neospora caninum in moose (Alces alces) and roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) in Sweden

Toxoplasma gondii and Neospora caninum are two coccidian parasites with a worldwide distribution. T. gondii is one of the more common parasitic zoonoses in the world and in young children and immunocompromised persons, infection can lead to severe disease and death. N. caninum is an important cause of abortions in cattle. Wildlife have been identified as reservoirs and transmitters for both parasites. The purpose of this study was to investigate the seroprevalences of T. gondii, and N. caninum in moose (Alces alces), and roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) in Sweden. Blood samples were collected from 417 moose during 2000-2005 and from 199 roe deer during 1990-2007. The samples were investigated for presence of antibodies by a T. gondii direct agglutination test and a N. caninum iscom ELISA. Because the iscom ELISA has not been validated for moose or roe deer, sera that gave a positive result were further investigated by immunoblot analysis to verify presence of antibodies. Antibodies to T. gondii were detected in 85 (20%) and 68 (34%) moose and roe deer sera, respectively. In moose the seroprevalence was higher in south and central Sweden than in the north, whereas there was no difference between the regions for roe deer. Adult moose and roe deer had higher odds of being seropositive than young animals but there were no difference in seroprevalence between males and females. One roe deer was positive by immunoblotting and was regarded as N. caninum positive, whereas all moose sera were negative. The results show that T. gondii infection is widely spread in the Swedish moose and roe deer populations. Precautions should therefore be taken when handling internal organs and carcasses of harvested cervids. Proper handling and cooking of game meat also is important to prevent toxoplasmosis in humans.     

Intracytoplasmic inclusion bodies associated with vesicular, ulcerative and necrotizing lesions of the digestive mucosa of a roedeer (Capreolus capreolus L.) and a moose (Alces alces L.)

At post-mortem examination of a roedeer and a moose, ulcerative and necrotizing lesions were observed in the digestive mucosa.Both animals were serologically positive for Bovine Viral Diarrhea Virus antibodies. Histological examination revealed intra- and intercellular oedema in stratum germinativum and spinosum, formation of vesicles and ulcers, and intracytoplasmic inclusion bodies in numerous epithelial cells of mainly stratum germinativum.Electronmicroscopy confirmed the histological findings and demonstrated inclusion bodies containing a granular electron dense material encircled by a single-layer membrane. Virus particles were not found.     

Structural variation in the nasal bone region of European moose (Alces alces L.)

The ontogeny of typical (normal) nasal bone region of the European moose (Alces alces L.) and the 3 variants of the pattern, was studied. The variants, named as "extra bone type", "punctured type" and "open type" referring the morphology of the internasal suture, were originally observed in Finnish male and female moose skulls in 1971. All of the variants were later found in hunting trophy exhibitions presenting male moose trophies from Sweden, Norway, Baltic Republics of USSR and Poland. The frequencies of the variants showed regional differences. By using histological, radiological and OTC bone labelling methods, all of the nasal bone types were observed in this study in embryonal (N = 36), newborn (N = 21), juvenile (N = 38) and adult (N = 12) moose. Two twin embryos showed different nasal bone structure. The variation is considered to be of congenital origin.     

Spontaneous aortic lesions in moose (Alces alces L)

In 17 out of 22 aortas from moose, 6 months to more than 18 years, aortic lesions were found. Five different types of lesions were observed, fatty streaks were seen in 1, fibrous plaques in 7, fatty streaks with complicated lesions (calcification and acid mucopolysaccharides) in 3, fibrous plaques with complicated lesions in 2 and fibrous plaques with complicated lesions and fat droplets in 4 of the aortas.Elastic tissue degeneration of the inner two thirds of the tunica media was principally found in the aorta of the animals beyond 4 year of age. There was no statistical evidence for a correlation between age and frequency but a trend towards age dependence was seen. The percentage of involved surface was found to increase significantly (0.05 > P > 0.02) with age. There was no significant difference between affected male and female animals in the different age groups. The frequency of involved surface in different affected regions, comprising all age groups were, in the posterior abdominal portion, 13.0 %, in the anterior abdominal portion, 3.0 %, in the posterior thoracic portion 5.2 %, in the anterior thoracic portion, 0.1 % and in the aortic arch, 0.1 %. Proliferating endothelial cells and the source of smooth muscle cells were discussed.     

Adenoviral infection in captive moose (Alces alces) in Canada.

Adenoviral infection was associated with hemorrhagic enteritis, serosal hemorrhages, and severe pulmonary edema in six captive moose (Alces alces) in Toronto, Ontario, Canada: an adult female moose and three calves in 1985 and two calves in 1998. Adenoviral disease was suspected based on histological findings of systemic vasculitis and widespread thrombosis associated with amphophilic intranuclear inclusions in endothelial cells. Diagnosis was confirmed by immunohistochemistry using antiserum to bovine adenovirus type 5, transmission electron microscopic identification of viral particles consistent in morphology with adenovirus within nuclei of pulmonary endothelial cells in an affected calf, and virus isolation. The restriction pattern of virus isolated from the lung of one of the calves indicated that the virus was identical to a recently characterized adenovirus in black-tailed deer (Odocoileus hemionus) in California. The moose adenovirus reported here may have been endemic in the captive moose herd, or infection may have resulted from either direct or indirect contact with other species of captive or wild cervids. This is the first report of adenoviral infection in moose and of the presence of adenoviral disease in a cervid in Canada.     

A scanning electron microscopic study on surface lesions in fluorosed enamel of roe deer (Capreolus capreolus L.)

Scanning electron microscopy of surface enamel lesions in fluorosed permanent premolars and molars of free-ranging Roe deer revealed two types of pits. Post-eruptive lesions that resulted from mechanical stress on hypomineralized enamel during mastication were characterized by steep walls and a typical honeycomb structure on their bottom, a result of fracture of enamel rods; holes left by fractured rods were surrounded by interrod enamel. Pits of developmental origin (hypoplasias), either as shallow depressions of enamel surfaces or narrow holes running deep into the enamel, were characterized by convex, rounded walls covered by numerous Tomes' process pits. Pits of hypoplastic and post-eruptive origin were often found in the same tooth. Intact enamel surfaces of fluorosed teeth resembled that of controls.     

Cerebellar Abiotrophy in a Moose (Alces alces L) Related to Copper Deficiency. A Case report

During december 1992 a moose cow with severely incoordinated and atactic movements was observed at several occasions in an area 20 km north of Uppsala. She was followed by a calf with normal movements and appearance. The 31 of January the cow was found laying in the forest unable to raise and walk. She was killed by means of a rifle shot in the neck and necropsied on the spot.     

Developmental stages of Taenia krabbei Moniez, 1879 (Cysticercus tarandi) in deer (Capreolus capreolus L.) in Czechoslovakia]

The breast and shoulder-blade muscles of a roe (Caprelous capreolus L.), shot in a hunting district in western Bohemia, were found to contain cysticerci with morphological characters and size corresponding to those of Cysticercus tarandi, which is a developmental stage of the tapeworm Taenia krabbei Moniez, 1879. The surface as well as deeper layers of muscle contained one to two cysticerci per 100 cm2 of area. The authors describe the larvocysts and histological changes in the site where the micro-organisms were found. The cysticerci are discussed as to the species to which they belong.     

Helminthiasis in domestic and wild ruminants in botswana-preliminary investigations

Summary Botswana has one of the largest reserves of wild antelopes in the world. The economy of Botswana and the livelihood of its people are dependent to a large degree upon cattle production, and to a lesser degree upon sheep, goats and game animals. Field studies in Botswana have indicated a severe degree of parasitic infestation in cattle, sheep and goats under semi-arid and drought conditions. Contrary to findings in other countries, many cattle in Botswana do not develop or maintain strong a resistance to helminthiasis. Helminthiasis in wild ruminants does not appear to be a severe herd problem, although individual animals under conditions of stress can be severely parasitized. Although transmission of some parasites from wild ruminants to domestic livestock and vice versa may occur it is unlikely that the wildlife species contribute to helminthiases in domestic livestock.

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Sumario Botswana posee una de las mayores reservas de antílopes del mundo. La economía del país y el sustento de sus habitantes dependen en gran medida de la producción de ganado vacuno, y en menor grado de los ovinos, cabras y caza. Estudios de campo realizados en Botswana han indicado una seria infestación parasitaria en bovinos, ovinos y caprinos en condiciones semiáridas y de sequía. Contrariamente a los resultados obtenidos en otros paises, muchos bovinos en Botswana no desarrollan ni mantienen buena resistencia contra la helminthiasis. La helminthiasis en los ruminantes salvajes no parece ser un problema grave, aunque algunos animales bajo condiciones de “stress” pueden hallarse severamente parasitados. A pesar de que puede ocurrir la transmisión de algunos parásitos de los animales salvajes a os bovinos y viceversa, es improbable que aquellos contribuyan a la helmintiasis del ganado.

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Résumé Botswana a une des plus grandes réserves d’antilopes sauvages du monde. L’économie du pays et la subsistance de ses gens dépendent à un haut degré de l’élevage de bovidés, et secondairement des ovins, des chèvres et du gibier. Des études de campagne faites à Botswana ont indiqué un sévère degré d’infestation parasitaire des bovidés, ovins et chèvres dans des conditions semi-arides et de sécheresse. Au contraire de ce qu’on a trouvé ailleurs, beaucoup de bovidés à Botswana ne developpent ni conservent une forte résistance vers l’helminthiase. L’helminthiase en les ruminants sauvages ne semble pas être un problème grave, même si quelques animaux individuels dans des conditions de “stress” peuvent être sérieusement parasités. Malgrè la possibilité de transmission de quelques parasites des animaux sauvages aux bovins domestiques et vice versa, ce n’est pas probable que ceux-là contribuent à l’helminthiase du bétail.