Diversity and molecular characterization of novel hemoplasmas infecting wild rodents from different Brazilian biomes

Although hemoplasma infection in domestic animals has been well documented, little is known about the prevalence and genetic diversity of these bacteria in wild rodents. The present work aimed to investigate the occurrence of hemotrophic mycoplasmas in wild rodents from five Brazilian biomes, assessing the 16S rRNA phylogenetic position of hemoplasma species by molecular approach. Spleen tissues were obtained from 500 rodents, comprising 52 different rodent species trapped between 2000 and 2011. DNA samples were submitted to previously described PCR protocols for amplifying Mycoplasma spp. based on 16S rRNA, followed by sequencing and phylogenetic inferences. Among 457 rodent spleen samples showing absence of inhibitors, 100 (21.9%) were PCR positive to Mycoplasma spp. The occurrence of hemotropic mycoplasmas among all sampled rodents was demonstrated in all five biomes and ranged from 9.3% (7/75) to 26.2% (38/145). The Blastn analysis showed that amplified sequences had a percentage of identity ranging from 86 to 99% with other murine hemoplasmas. The ML phylogenetic analysis of 16S rRNA gene of 24 positive randomly selected samples showed the presence of ten distinct groups, all clustering within the Mycoplasma haemofelis. The phylogenetic assessment suggests the circulation of novel hemoplasma species in rodents from different biomes in Brazil.     

Campylobacter infection in wild artiodactyl species from southern Spain: Occurrence,risk factors and antimicrobial susceptibility

A cross-sectional study was performed to assess the occurrence of Campylobacter species and to identify potential associated risk factors for wild artiodactyl species in southern Spain. Campylobacter species were isolated in 55 of 363 (15.2%) faecal samples. Campylobacter was identified in faeces from wild boar (49/126; 38.9%), red deer (5/179; 2.8%) and mouflon (1/13; 7.7%) but not from fallow deer (0/45). The isolated Campylobacter species were identified as C. jejuni (2 isolates; 3.6%), C. coli (11 isolates; 20.0%) and C. lanienae (37 isolates; 67.3%). Five isolates (9.1%) could not be identified at the species level. This report is the first to describe C. lanienae infection in wild ruminant species. Resistance to erythromycin (4.8%), ciprofloxacin (37.5%), tetracycline (52.9%) and streptomycin (55%) were detected. C. lanienae presented a significantly higher number of susceptible isolates to ciprofloxacin and tetracycline than C. coli. Due to the low number of positive wild ruminants, a Generalised Estimating Equations model was only carried out for wild boar. The model indicated that the risk factors associated with Campylobacter infection were the density of wild boar (>10/100 ha) (OR: 3.05; CI_95%: 2.2–4.3), the presence of artificial waterholes (OR: 3.67; CI_95%: 1.3–10.5) and the winter season (OR: 3.30; CI_95%: 1.9–5.8). Campylobacter infection is widespread in wild boar populations in southern Spain. These findings suggest that wild artiodactyls, particularly wild boar, constitute a reservoir of Campylobacter species, including resistant and multi-resistant strains, which may be of public health concern.     

Bacteria and antibiotic resistance detection in fractures of wild birds from wildlife rehabilitation centres in Spain

Anatomic adaptations make birds more prone to open fractures with exposed bone parts losing vascularization. As a result of this exposure, fractures are colonized by different microorganisms, including different types of bacteria, both aerobic and anaerobic, causing osteomyelitis in many cases. For this reason, antibiotic treatment is common. However, carrying out antibiotic treatment without carrying out a previous antibiogram may contribute to increased resistance against antibiotics, especially in migratory wild birds. In this paper, bacterial counts regarding fracture type, bacterial identification and antibiotic resistance have been analysed in wild birds from wildlife rehabilitation centres in Spain. The results obtained showed that open fractures had higher bacterial counts (CFU/mL) than closed ones. Bacteria in family Enterobacteriaceae, identified were Escherichia spp., Enterobacter spp., Shigella spp., Hafnia alvei, Proteus mirabilis, Leclercia adecarboxylata and Pantoea agglomerans. Other bacteria present in wild birds’ fractures were Aeromonas spp., Enterococcus spp. Bacillus wiedmannii and Staphylococcus sciuri. All species found presented resistance to at least one of the antibiotics used. Wild birds can be implicated in the introduction, maintenance and global spreading of antibiotic resistant bacteria and represent an emerging public health concern. Results obtained in this paper support the idea that it is necessary to take this fact into account before antibiotic administration to wild animals, since it could increase the number of bacteria resistant to antibiotics.     

青南地区草地鼠害现状及治理对策

依据青南地区草地鼠害现状 ,分析其成因 ,并提出有效的综合治理对策     

Helminths of wild boar in the isolated population close to the northern border of its habitat area

One hundred wild boars (Sus scrofa) from a geographically isolated population on the island Saaremaa of western Estonia were examined for visceral helminths. Seven helminth species, Metastrongylus pudendotectus, M. salmi, M. elongatus, Ascaris suum, Trichuris suis, Dicrocoelium dendriticum and Taenia hydatigena larva, were found. The predominant helminths discovered were lung nematodes (prevalence 82%, mean intensity 96.2 per animal). A significant negative correlation was observed between the weight of wild boars and the number of lungworms and helminth species. The number of helminth species found in the wild boar population on the island was lower compared to that of the adjacent mainland.     

Further investigation of lead exposure as a potential threatening process for a scavenging marsupial species

There is a growing recognition of the harmful effects of lead exposure on avian and mammalian scavengers. This can lead to both lethal and non-lethal effects which may negatively impact wildlife populations. Our objective was to assess medium-term lead exposure in wild Tasmanian devils (Sarcophilus harrisii). Frozen liver samples (n = 41), opportunistically collected in 2017–2022, were analysed using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) to determine liver lead concentrations. These results were then used to calculate the proportion of animals with elevated lead levels (>5 mg/kg dry weight) and examine the role of explanatory variables that may have influenced the results. The majority of samples analysed were from the south-east corner of Tasmania, within 50 km of Hobart. No Tasmanian devil samples were found to have elevated lead levels. The median liver lead concentration was 0.17 mg/kg (range 0.05–1.32 mg/kg). Female devils were found to have significantly higher liver lead concentrations than males (P = 0.013), which was likely related to lactation, but other variables (age, location, body mass) were not significant. These results suggest that wild Tasmanian devil populations currently show minimal medium-term evidence of exposure to lead pollution, although samples were concentrated in peri-urban areas. The results provide a baseline level which can be used to assess the impact of any future changes in lead use in Tasmania. Furthermore, these data can be used as a comparison for lead exposure studies in other mammalian scavengers, including other carnivorous marsupial species.     

The role of rodents in avian influenza outbreaks in poultry farms: a review

Wild migratory birds are associated with global avian influenza virus (AIV) spread. Although direct contact with wild birds and contaminated fomites is unlikely in modern non-free range poultry farms applying biosecurity measures, AIV outbreaks still occur. This suggests involvement of other intermediate factors for virus transmission between wild birds and poultry. This review describes current evidence of the potential role of rodents in AIV transmission from wild birds to poultry and between poultry houses. Rodents can be abundant around poultry houses, share their habitat with waterfowl and can readily enter poultry houses. Survival of AIV from waterfowl in poultry house surroundings and on the coat of rodents suggests that rodents are likely to act as mechanical vector. AIVs can replicate in rodents without adaptation, resulting in high viral titres in lungs and nasal turbinates, virus presence in nasal washes and saliva, and transmission to naïve contact animals. Therefore, active AIV shedding by infected rodents may play a role in transmission to poultry. Further field and experimental studies are needed to provide evidence for a role of rodents in AIV epidemiology. Making poultry houses rodent-proof and the immediate surroundings unattractive for rodents are recommended as preventive measures against possible AIV introduction.     

Molecular epidemiology of bovine tuberculosis in wild animals in Spain: a first approach to risk factor analysis

In human tuberculosis (Mycobacterium tuberculosis), molecular epidemiology has accurately indicated the risk factors involved in active transmission of the disease, by comparing individuals whose isolates belong to a cluster with patients whose strains are considered unique. Nevertheless, this application has not been used in bovine tuberculosis (Mycobacterium bovis). Our study describes the integration of epidemiological data into molecular classification data on M. bovis isolates. These were isolated from wild ungulates in Extremadura (western Spain) with the objective of detecting the risk factors linked to the association of strains in clades, which are indicators of the active spread of the disease. The molecular markers used were spoligotyping + VNTR typing (loci: VNTR 2165, VNTR 2461, VNTR 0577, VNTR 0580, VNTR 3192 VNTR 2163a and VNTR 2163b) on a population of 59 M. bovis strains isolated from deer (Cervus elaphus), 112 from wild boar (Sus scrofa), six from bovines, 28 from pigs and 2 from goats (n = 207). Epidemiological variables included the animal species from which the strain was isolated, pathological condition of the host (incipient lesion, early and late generalisation), date of sampling (during or after the reproductive period) and hunting season. Bivariant analysis was used to establish the risk factors connected to the association of strains and later, the variables were evaluated by means of logistic regression. Molecular typing grouped a total of 131 strains (64.21%) in 28 clusters and 76 isolates shows unique profiles. The association of strains was connected to the appearance of macroscopic lesions during the reproductive period (O.R. 4.80; 95% CI 1.09–22.99, P < 0.005), showing a possible higher transmission during the courting period. This happened mainly during the last hunting season analysed (2002–2003, O.R. 3.69; 95% CI 1.27–11.9, P < 0.05), clashing with the time of higher prevalence of the disease in wild ungulates. Active spread was not connected to any species in particular, or to any concrete pathological condition.     

Farm-level risk factors for the occurrence,new infection or persistence of tuberculosis in cattle herds from South-Central Spain

Eradication of tuberculosis (TB) in cattle is a priority in the EU. However, and despite the resources invested, TB eradication is still a goal yet to be accomplished. As a consequence, the identification of risk factors contributing to TB transmission and persistence is key to a better understand and, ultimately, more cost-effectively control and eradicate this complex zoonotic disease worldwide. This study aimed to identify the factors contributing to the TB occurrence, new infection, and persistence in one of the most TB-prevalent regions in the South-Central part of Spain (SCS), Ciudad Real (CR), and for which high quality and detailed information on cattle and wild ungulate demographics, management, and sanitary status was available for up to 5 years (2007–2011). Multilevel logistic modeling was used for this purpose. Results of this study revealed that the risk for TB (occurrence, new infection, and/or persistence) in cattle herds from CR is related to TB-persistence on farm in previous years, extensive production systems (beef and bullfighting being more risky that dairy) and large farm in terms of cattle number. Also, the presence and proximity of fenced hunting estates (which are usually intensively managed) significantly contributed to the risk of TB occurrence and persistence in CR. This association suggests that wild ungulates may play a role as TB-reservoirs and transmit TB to cattle in the CR, a region where TB is endemic and is associated with extensive farming of beef cattle. To the best of author's knowledge this is the first study to (i) evaluate the wild ungulate-domestic interface at a farm level using detailed information over an extensive region and period of time (2007–2011) and (ii) to identify a direct association between TB in cattle and the proximity and management practices of wild ungulates. Methods and results presented here may support policies to better prevent and control TB in the SCS and in other regions/countries with similar epidemiological conditions.     

不同种植年限白沙蒿对根际土壤营养元素的影响

分别选取建植5、10、15和20年的白沙蒿(Artemisia sphaerocephala), 研究其根际与非根际土壤中营养元素含量及土壤pH值的变化。结果表明, 1)随建植年限的增加, 白沙蒿根际土壤有效N、P含量增加, 铵态氮和有效磷的最大富集率分别为91.15%和127.30%;2)有效Cu表现为负富集, 其在根际的含量随建植年限的增加而降低, 其它有效微量元素均表现出根际含量大于非根际, 其中有效Mn随年份增加有明显积累, 在20年株龄富集率达到最高值, 85.24%;3)5、10年株龄沙蒿根际pH无明显变化, 15、20年株龄白沙蒿根际土壤表现出明显的酸化作用;4)土壤有效元素间的相关性存在明显的根际效应。     

The characterization of low pathogenic avian influenza viruses isolated from wild birds in northern Vietnam from 2006 to 2009

Due to concerns that wild birds could possibly spread H5N1 viruses, surveillance was conducted to monitor the types of avian influenza viruses circulating among the wild birds migrating to or inhabiting in northern Vietnam from 2006 to 2009. An H5N2 virus isolated from a Eurasian woodcock had a close phylogenetic relationship to H5 viruses recently isolated in South Korea and Japan, suggesting that H5N2 has been shared between Vietnam, South Korea, and Japan. An H9N2 virus isolated from a Chinese Hwamei was closely related to two H9N2 viruses that were isolated from humans in Hong Kong in 2009, suggesting that an H9N2 strain relevant to the human isolates had been transmitted to and maintained among the wild bird population in Vietnam and South China. The results support the idea that wild bird species play a significant role in the spread and maintenance of avian influenza and that this also occurs in Vietnam.     

Interactions between rodents and weeds in a lowland rice agro‐ecosystem: the need for an integrated approach to management

Rodents and weeds are important pests to rice crops in Southeast Asia. The interaction between these 2 major pests is poorly documented. In temperate cereal systems, seeds of grass weeds can be an important food source for rodents and weed cover along crop margins provides important refuge for rodents. In 2012 and 2013, a replicated study (n = 4) in Bago, Myanmar compared 4 treatments (rodents and weeds; no rodents and weeds; rodents and no weeds; no rodents and no weeds) each of 0.25 ha in transplanted rice. Weeds were managed with hand weeding in the wet season, and hand weeding and herbicides in the dry season. Plastic fences were installed to exclude rodents. We examined the weed cover and relative abundance of weed species, rodent damage, rodent population dynamics and rice yield loss caused by rodents and weeds. The dominant rodent species was Bandicota bengalensis. In the dry season, Cyperus difformis was dominant at the tillering stage and Echinochloa crus‐galli was the dominant weed species at the booting stage. In the wet season E. crus‐galli was a dominant weed throughout the season. Damage by rodents was higher in the dry season. There were larger economic benefits for best weed management and effective rodent control in the dry season (258 US$/ha) than in the wet season (30 US$/ha). Concurrent control of weeds in and around rice fields combined with coordinated community trapping of rodents during the early tillering stage and ripening stage of rice are recommended management options.     

Yellow-necked mice (Apodemus flavicollis) and bank voles (Myodes glareolus) as zoomonitors of environmental contamination at a polluted area in Slovakia

Background

Free-living wild rodents are often used as zoomonitors of environmental contamination. In the present study, accumulation of cadmium (Cd), copper (Cu), iron (Fe), and zinc (Zn) in critical organs of yellow-necked mice (Apodemus flavicollis) and bank voles (Myodes glareolus) trapped in a polluted area in Nováky, Slovakia was investigated.

Methods

Yellow-necked mice (n = 8) and bank voles (n = 10) were collected using standard theriological methods for wood ecosystems. All animals were adult males in good physical condition. The concentrations of Cd, Cu, Fe, and Zn in the liver, kidney, and bone were determined by atomic absorption spectrophotometry.

Results

The highest concentrations of Cd and Zn were found in the bone of both species while Cu and Fe accumulated mainly in kidney or liver. Significant higher concentrations of Cd and Cu were detected in the liver of bank voles than in yellow-necked mice. Similar significant higher levels of Cd and Zn were found in the bone of bank voles. In contrast, significant higher concentrations of Cu and Fe were present in the kidney of yellow-necked mice.

Conclusions

In the yellow-necked mouse and bank vole, bone seems to accumulate Cd and Zn following prolonged exposure. On the contrary, kidney and liver store Cu and Fe after a long-term environmental exposure. In the present study, bank voles seemed to be more heavy metal loaded zoomonitors than yellow-necked mice.     

Bovine trypanosomiasis risk in an endemic area on the eastern plateau of Zambia

The control of bovine trypanosomiasis could be improved by using the available control tools during periods when the incidence of the disease is highest. The present study assessed the monthly risk of bovine trypanosomiasis in 85 sentinel cattle kept on the tsetse-infested eastern plateau of Zambia during a period of 19 consecutive months. To avoid problems associated with persistence of infections because of trypanocidal drug resistance and/or the time lag between sampling and molecular analysis, a survival analysis and the subsequent calculation of risk was used as an indicator of challenge. Results showed that the average monthly risk of infection (92.3% due to Trypanosoma congolense) was 6%. It was significantly higher (7.7%) during the beginning of the rainy season (December-February). According to the outcome of the study, bovine trypanosomiasis control in the study area can be improved through increasing control efforts during this period of highest challenge.     

新疆不同居群罗布白麻叶片的营养元素含量特征

对新疆阿勒泰市土山罗布麻保护区的5个不同居群的罗布白麻(Poacynum hendersonii)叶片中的N、P、K、Na、Ca、Mg、Cu、Fe、Zn和Mn 10种营养元素含量进行了测定和比较。结果表明,青杆中花麻为N Ca类型、特细叶中花麻和红杆中花麻为N K类型,N含量在特细叶中花麻中显著高于其他4个居群（P＜0.05）;中细叶中花麻为K Ca类型、白花中花麻为K N类型,其K含量显著高于其他3个居群。5个居群罗布麻叶片中4种微量元素的含量,除红杆中花麻居群中Mn含量最高外,其余4个居群均为Fe>Mn>Zn>Cu;各居群Fe和Zn含量无显著差异;各居群间Mn含量差异显著;青杆中花麻、红杆中花麻和特细叶中花麻Cu含量显著高于中细叶中花麻,白花中花麻与各居群间均无显著差异。相关分析表明,罗布白麻居群中Mg与Mn,K与P,Ca与Mg,Fe与Zn含量呈显著正相关性;而Na与Ca,K与Cu和Mn,P与Cu和N含量呈显著负相关（P＜0.05）。     

First isolation of Trichinella britovi from a wild boar (Sus scrofa) in Belgium

Since 1992, when the European Union Council Directive requires that wild boars (Sus scrofa) hunted in EU for commercial purpose should be examined for Trichinella, the infection has not been detected in wild boars from Belgium, despite serological evidence of the presence of anti-Trichinella antibodies in wildlife and previous reports of Trichinella larvae in this host species. In November 2004, Trichinella larvae were detected in a wild boar hunted near Mettet, Namur province (Southern Belgium). Larvae were identified as Trichinella britovi by polymerase chain reaction methods. This is the first report of the identification of Trichinella larvae from Belgium at the species level. The detection of T. britovi in wildlife in Belgium is consistent with findings of this parasite in other European countries and confirms the need to test game meat for Trichinella to prevent its transmission to humans.     

Microbial pathogens in ticks, rodents and a shrew in northern Gyeonggi-do near the DMZ, Korea

A total of 1,618 ticks [420 individual (adults) and pooled (larvae and nymphs) samples], 369 rodents (Apodemus agrarius, Rattus norvegicus, Tscherskia triton, Mus musculus, and Myodes regulus), and 34 shrews (Crocidura lasiura) that were collected in northern Gyeonggi-do near the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) of Korea during 2004-2005, were assayed by PCR for selected zoonotic pathogens. From a total of 420 individual and pooled tick DNA samples, Anaplasma (A.) phagocytophilum (16), A. platys (16), Ehrlichia (E.) chaffeensis (63), Borrelia burgdorferi (16), and Rickettsia spp. (198) were detected using species-specific PCR assays. Out of 403 spleens from rodents and shrews, A. phagocytophilum (20), A. platys (34), E. chaffeensis (127), and Bartonella spp. (24) were detected with species-specific PCR assays. These results suggest that fevers of unknown causes in humans and animals in Korea should be evaluated for infections by these vector-borne microbial pathogens.     

野猪SLA—DQB外显子2的核苷酸多态性分析

本试验采用DNA测序技术测定了15头野猪235bp的SLA—DQB基因外显子2序列．结合GeneBank中报道的另3头野猪和18头家猪共36个个体的相应序列,重点对野猪SLA—DQB外显子2进行核苷酸多态性分析。结果表明野猪SLA—DQB外显子2具有较丰富的核苷酸多态性;在家猪品种改良中,野猪具有潜在的遗传价值。     

西藏日喀则地区栽培牧草中7种微量元素的分布特征

通过对西藏日喀则地区3科43种栽培牧草中的铁、锰、钼、铜、锌、硒、钴7种微量元素的测定,探究微量元素在不同科属牧草中的分布特征。结果表明,西藏日喀则地区栽培牧草中微量元素的分布存在一定的规律性。总体而言,铁含量最高,可达800μg/g;锌次之,最高接近200μg/g;硒含量最低,含量变幅为0.002~0.013μg/g。3科牧草中,禾本科牧草铁含量相对较低,锌、铜含量相对较高;藜科牧草锌、铜含量相对较低,铁、锰含量相对较高;豆科牧草多数微量元素含量相对居中;各科牧草中的铁、锌、铜含量均属较高水平,钴均属中等水平;锰、硒、钼在3科间含量水平不一致。     

The role of wild rodents in the transmission of Trypanosoma evansi infection in an endemic area of the Canary Islands (Spain)

Trypanosoma evansi was diagnosed for the first time in camels in the Canary Islands in 1997. Several sanitary measures including treatment of infected animals were taken; however, nowadays a little area is still infected. In order to determine possible reservoirs 138 wild rodents were trapped, 64 of them in the infected farms and the remaining 74 in other areas. The captured species were Rattus rattus (24), Rattus norvegicus (69) and Mus musculus domesticus (45). Serological (CATT/T. evansi), parasitological (micro-Hematocrit Centrifugation technique and stained smears) and molecular (PCR) methods for T. evansi and T. lewisi were used as diagnostic methods. None of the examined rodents was positive for T. evansi; 18, however, showed motile trypanosomes at micro-Hematocrit Centrifugation technique and resulted positive for T. lewisi by PCR. The results would suggest that the studied rodent species would not play a relevant role in the epidemiology of T. evansi infection in Canaries.