Monitoring and Treatment of Fascioloides magna in Semi-Farm Red Deer Husbandry in Croatia

The presence of American liver fluke (Fascioloides magna) in Croatian wild ruminant species was detected for the first time in January 2000. At the same time, the problem of adequate parasitological monitoring and treatment appeared in the captive deer population. Quarantine and health screening protocols, as well as migration and transportation influence had to be evaluated in red deer husbandry. Non-invasive methods were introduced to estimate the prevalence of F. magna in the semi-farm rearing system. Coprological analysis has been performed on 264 faecal samples. The most effective antiparasitic treatment was implemented on herd and individual treatment. Treatment was extended to the free-ranging population of deer in the same region.

     

Monitoring and Treatment of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Fascioloides magna</Emphasis> in Semi-Farm Red Deer Husbandry in Croatia

The presence of American liver fluke (Fascioloides magna) in Croatian wild ruminant species was detected for the first time in January 2000. At the same time, the problem of adequate parasitological monitoring and treatment appeared in the captive deer population. Quarantine and health screening protocols, as well as migration and transportation influence had to be evaluated in red deer husbandry. Non-invasive methods were introduced to estimate the prevalence of F. magna in the semi-farm rearing system. Coprological analysis has been performed on 264 faecal samples. The most effective antiparasitic treatment was implemented on herd and individual treatment. Treatment was extended to the free-ranging population of deer in the same region.     

Recovery of Fascioloides magna (Digenea) population in spite of treatment programme? Screening of Galba truncatula (Gastropoda, Lymnaeidae) from Lower Austria

During the past decade, Fascioloides magna, the large American liver fluke, has spread within free-living deer in wetlands of the Danube in Lower Austria. The aim of this study was to determine the current infection rates with F. magna and other digenean parasites in the intermediate host snail Galba truncatula from risk areas in Lower Austria. A total of 3444 G. truncatula were collected and examined microscopically for the presence of digenean trematodes. A set of randomly selected snails and isolated trematode stages were also investigated molecular biologically by PCR and sequencing. Digenean parasites were detected with a prevalence of 2.41% (1.83% Paramphistomoidea; 0.46% Echinostomatoidea; 0.09% Strigeida; 0.06% Plagiorchiida). F. magna was found with an overall prevalence of 0.23%, which may indicate a recovery of the parasite population in spite of an ongoing triclabendazole treatment programme. Moreover, high risk areas and a seasonality of infections were observed.     

Incidence and control of the American giant liver fluke, Fascioloides magna, in a population of wild ungulates in the Danubian wetlands east of Vienna

Fascioloides magna,the giant liver fluke, is an introduced parasite imported to Europe with infected game which is endemic in the Austrian wetlands of the Danube from Vienna to the Slovakian border. Due to its pathogenicity (especially in roe deer) and its potential of transmission to domestic ruminants a project on the epidemiology and control of this parasite was carried out between 2000 and 2005. To assess distribution faecal droppings from red deer were collected in an area along the Danube and livers of red and roe deer shot or found dead were examined. Simultaneously, triclabendazole-medicated feed was offered repeatedly in several areas of known fluke presence from 2001. The average prevalence of infection as demonstrated by Fascioloides eggs in droppings (n = 145) was 6.3%, with > 50% in some areas. Infection rates decreased from 11.3% (01/2001) to 1.5% (04/2002) in the whole area. In Fischamend, a highly endemic area, prevalences in monthly samples (n = 25) decreased from 70% (01/2001) to less than 1% (01/2005). Similarly, the number of eggs per gram of faeces was significantly reduced. Of 457 red deer livers 15.8% were positive. In the Fischamend area, a reduction of positive livers was also found (2000:100%; 2005:13%), as well as a reduction of the numbers of flukes/liver. Control of F. magna in the Danubian wetlands by anthelmintic treatment proved to be successful although eradication was not achieved.     

Prevalence of Fascioloides magna in cattle and deer in Michigan

A survey among 1.12 million cattle slaughtered in 357 packing plants in Michigan during 1977 to 1981 was conducted to determine the prevalence of liver fluke infection. The condemnation rate of liver fluke-infected livers was 0.41, 3.7, and 13.9% in the southern, northern-lower, and upper regions of Michigan, respectively. The same trend in infection rates was observed in white-tailed deer that had been examined in diagnostic laboratories in the state. A serologic survey among 50 randomly selected dairy farms detected Fascioloides antibody-carrying cattle in 3 farms. The data on prevalence in slaughter cattle were slightly biased, because many slaughter cattle originated from other states in which F magna may be less common.     

Evaluation of historical factors influencing the occurrence and distribution of Mycobacterium bovis infection among wildlife in Michigan

OBJECTIVES: To determine historical events leading to establishment of bovine tuberculosis in the white-tailed deer population in the northeastern corner of the lower peninsula (NELP) of Michigan and describe factors relevant to the present outbreak of bovine tuberculosis in Michigan. SAMPLE POPULATION: Cattle and white-tailed deer in Michigan from 1920 to 1990. PROCEDURES: A search of extant historical documents (eg, scientific journals, books, public reports, and correspondence and internal reports from governmental agencies) was conducted. Factors investigated included the number of cattle and prevalence of tuberculosis, deer population and density levels, and changes in regional environments affecting the population and management of cattle and wild deer. RESULTS: High deer numbers and severe winter feed shortages resulting from habitat destruction in the NELP in 1930 contributed to the transmission of tuberculosis from cattle to deer. Starvation increased the susceptibility of deer to infection and modified behavior such that exposure to infected cattle was increased. Relocation of deer resulted in spread of infection to other sites, including locations at which spatial clusters of tuberculosis presently exist. Ribotyping of Mycobacterium bovis from a human patient suggests that the strain of M. bovis presently infecting white-tailed deer in the region is the same strain that affected cattle farms at that time. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Feeding deer to maintain numbers above the normal carrying capacity of the NELP led to deer depending on consumption of livestock feed for survival during winter and increased contact with domestic cattle. This practice should be avoided.     

Isoelectric focusing of soluble proteins from Fasciola hepatica L, 1758 and Fascioloides magna B, 1875.

Isoelectric focusing was performed on the soluble proteins of whole-body and excretory-secretory products (ESP) of Fasciola hepatica and Fascioloides magna. Adult F hepatica flukes were recovered from experimentally infected sheep and ESP obtained from the flukes; portions of liver were cut and frozen at -70 C. Fascioloides magna adults were collected from naturally infected white-tailed deer and ESP obtained; portions of liver were collected from noninfected white-tailed deer. Adult flukes and their host tissues were homogenized and centrifuged; protein concentrations with their ESP were determined and adjusted to less than 2.50 mg/ml. Seven ESP samples from F hepatica and 1 from Fascioloides magna were subjected to isoelectric focusing with the 2 species of fluke and their respective host liver homogenates. After separation, gels were stained with silver and scanned on a laser densitometer. Protein banding patterns of the 2 species of flukes were dissimilar. In the pH range of 3.5 to 9.6, the body protein had approximately 30 peaks and ESP about 23 peaks in both species. Overall banding patterns of the body protein and ESP of both species were distinct from those of respective host tissues. Of the peaks reported as dominant, 3 of the body protein and 2 of ESP were shared between the 2 species. Fascioloides magna had more dominant peaks than F hepatica. This technique of soluble protein isoelectric focusing is simple and reproducible, and the 2 fluke species can easily be differentiated by this technique, as well as by morphologic characteristics.     

Efficacy of clorsulon and albendazole against Fascioloides magna in naturally infected white-tailed deer

The efficacy of clorsulon and of albendazole against Fascioloides magna were evaluated in 36 naturally infected white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) in southern Texas. A single oral dose of clorsulon suspension (12 to 30 mg/kg of body weight; mean = 24 mg/kg) was given to each deer and killed 153 (92%) of 167 mature flukes and 4 (80%) of 5 immature flukes recovered at necropsy. A single oral dose of albendazole paste (17 to 46 mg/kg; mean = 26 mg/kg) was given to each deer and killed 148 (89%) of 167 mature flukes and 4 (67%) of 6 immature flukes recovered at necropsy. In 82 nontreated control deer, 271 live flukes were recovered; dead flukes were not recovered.     

Caprine herpesvirus-2-associated malignant catarrhal fever in white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus).

A subacute disease presenting primarily as alopecia and weight loss occurred in 2 white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) on farms in Minnesota and in Texas. A presumptive diagnosis of malignant catarrhal fever (MCF) was made on the basis of histological lesions. Antibody against an epitope conserved among the MCF group viruses was detected in the serum of both deer. DNA samples from the deer were subjected to a variety of PCR amplifications. Alignment of the amplified sequences from the diseased animals revealed that they were 100% identical to each other and to the same DNA fragment from the newly recognized member of the MCF virus group endemic in domestic goats (Capra hircus), provisionally named caprine herpesvirus 2 (CpHV-2). A seroprevalence survey from one of the deer farms showed a high rate of subclincal infection in the deer population. This study provides further confirmation that CpHV-2 is a pathogen, at least for deer, and emphasizes the risk of loss from MCF when mixing cervids with goats.     

Evaluation of the genetic structure of sika deer (Cervus nippon) in Japan's Kanto and Tanzawa mountain areas,based on microsatellite markers

The browsing habits of sika deer (Cervus nippon) in Japan have caused serious ecological problems. Appropriate management of sika deer populations requires understanding the different genetic structures of local populations. In the present study, we used 10 microsatellite polymorphisms to explore the genetic structures of sika deer populations (162 individuals) living in the Kanto region. The expected heterozygosity of the Tanzawa mountain range population (Group I) was lower than that of the populations in the Kanto mountain areas (Group II). Our results suggest that moderate gene flow has occurred between the sika deer populations in the Kanto mountain areas (Group II), but not to or from the Tanzawa mountain range population (Group I). Also, genetic structure analysis showed that the Tanzawa population was separated from the other populations. This is probably attributable to a genetic bottleneck that developed in the Tanzawa sika deer population in the 1950s. However, we found that the Tanzawa population has since recovered from the bottleneck situation and now exhibits good genetic diversity. Our results show that it is essential to periodically evaluate the genetic structures of deer populations to develop conservation strategies appropriate to the specific structures of individual populations at any given time.     

世界养鹿业概况与我国养鹿业的发展策略

重点介绍了新西兰、俄罗斯与加拿大3个养鹿大国的概况,同时详细阐述了半个世纪来我国在养鹿业的发展和驯养、育种等方面的成就,并对我国将成为养鹿大国、强国提出了一些建议。     

北京南海子麋鹿苑春季麋鹿粪样皮质醇激素变化及其指示作用

皮质醇是衡量动物应激状态的重要指标,为了研究游客对麋鹿应激状态的影响,通过非损伤性取样的方式,并同时调查游客数量,应用酶联免疫吸附法(ELISA)对北京麋鹿苑春季麋鹿粪便皮质醇激素含量进行检测。结果表明,麋鹿粪样中的皮质醇变化均与前一日麋鹿苑内的游客量显著性相关,而与当日客流量的相关性则不明显,即表示麋鹿粪样中的皮质醇存在1 d左右的延迟性,与麋鹿从吃下食物到排粪约需1 d左右时间相一致。皮质醇激素变化范围表明北京麋鹿苑麋鹿的应激生理指标参数有一定波动范围,可作为将来对疑似患病个体进行诊断分析,为麋鹿个体诊断管理提供依据。     

日粮钙水平对梅花鹿血液某些生化指标的影响

为了探讨日粮钙水平和钙磷比对梅花鹿生茸期血液某些生化指标影响 ,采用单钙因子 4个水平(分别为 :1 0 .74 %、2 0 .92 %、3 1 .0 9%、4 1 .2 7% )的日粮设计 ,将选出的 3 7头健康和上年产茸量相近的 6岁梅花鹿随机分配到 4个日粮处理组中 ( 1组为 1 0头 ,其它三组各为 9头 ) ,进行饲养试验 ,另选 4头健康、生茸正常 6岁生茸期梅花鹿 ,同样接受 4个钙水平日粮 (同饲养试验 )处理 ,分别放入 4个特制的消化代谢笼中 ,按 4× 4拉丁方设计进行钙平衡试验。试验结果表明 :4个日粮钙水平处理对血清的钙、磷、尿素氮含量和碱性磷酸酶 (AKP下同 )活性 ,均无显著影响 (P >0 .0 5)。     

Interspecific association of sika deer in terrestrial animal communities of Liancheng National Nature Reserve,China

The prevention and control of invasive of alien species is an important work for nature reserves. This study analyzes the development trend of the alien species sika deer in Liancheng National Nature Reserve. From October 2019 to June 2020, 3523 valid photos and videos of terrestrial animals were acquired from 130 camera traps, and sika deer were recorded in 21 photos from 13 traps. The survival of the sika deer population was investigated by means of morphological identification, population structure analysis, species relative abundance indices, and species spatial association analysis. A total of 13 sika deer individuals were identified by camera trapping, including two kids and three subadults representing the reproductive capacity of the population. Spatially, sika deer is not associated with any local species and was outside the spatial association network of terrestrial animals in Liancheng National Nature Reserve, indicating that the sika deer population has not been integrated into the local community and has failed to perform its ecological function. It is worth noting that the reserve provides habitat suitable for sika deer and that the population has adequate reproductive capacity. Due to the lack of large apex predators in the reserve, the population size of ungulates such as sika deer, red deer, and Siberian roe deer may expand and lead to population outbreaks and the associated problems for the ecosystem. To restore large- and medium-sized carnivores and avoid the population outbreak of the species, the present challenges require immediate attention in Liancheng National Nature Reserve.     

A comparison of lungworm faecal larval counts and trichostrongyloid faecal egg counts between red deer (Cervus elaphus) and red deer x wapiti F1 hybrids

To determine if breed differences in susceptibility to trichostrongyloid and lungworm infection exist, two groups of weaner deer containing seven red deer and red deer x wapiti F1 hybrids were compared using faecal egg counts and faecal larval counts. All animals were run on the same pasture at the same time and treated with the same anthelmintics at the same time. Results indicated that there were significant differences between red deer and red deer x wapiti hybrids, with red deer having higher faecal lungworm counts and red deer x wapiti hybrids having significantly higher faecal egg counts. It is likely that these differences were due to breed. Differences in the efficacy of anthelmintic treatments were also noted between the two groups, with oral oxfendazole being less effective at reducing faecal lungworm counts in red deer X wapiti hybrids than red deer.     

塔里木马鹿微卫星遗传多样性与产茸量的相关性研究

利用7个微卫星遗传标记,采用PCR扩增,12%非变性聚丙烯酰胺凝胶电泳、Sanguinetti银染法显色,对新疆塔里木马鹿亚种遗传多样性进行检测,统计各群体的等位基因组成、平均有效等位基因数(E)和平均基因纯合率(Rh),根据等位基因频率计算出各群体的平均遗传杂合度(h)、多态信息含量(PIC)和群体间的遗传距离,利用分子进化遗传分析软件(MEGA),采用邻结法(NJ)重建系统发生树。根据等位基因频率,利用PHYLIP(3.6)分析软件,采用最大似然法(ML)构建系统发生树,应用自举检验(bootstrap test)估计系统树中节点的自引导值(bootstrap value),并进行了系统发生分析。同时对部分马鹿群体个体基因型与产茸量之间进行了相关分析。结果表明:7个微卫星位点在3个塔里木马鹿中的多态信息含量除BMS2508和Celjp0023没有多态性,以及BM5004为中度多态外,其他4个微卫星均为高度多态,可作为有效的遗传标记用于3个塔里木马鹿群体遗传多样性和系统发生关系的分析。所有马鹿群体的平均PIC为(0.5196)、h(0.5552)和E(2.45),其基因多态性和遗传多样性相对丰富。塔里木马鹿35团群体与沙雅群体的血缘关系及遗传距离近于阿拉尔群体,3个塔里木马鹿群体的系统发育关系基本符合其地理分布和育成史。微卫星位点BM4208的166bp/185bp基因型和微卫星BM888的208bp/208bp基因型可以对塔里木马鹿35团群体高产茸量进行分子遗传标记。     

Behavioural and heart rate responses to velvet antler removal in red deer

Heart rate and behaviour during and following velvet antler removal were monitored in yearling red deer stags to determine the extent to which this procedure was perceived by the deer to be aversive. Nine stags normally kept at pasture were habituated over 5 weeks to the following daily handling procedure. Each deer was fitted with a harness containing a heart rate monitor. It was then allowed to run through a fixed course in a deer yard, restrained for 40 s in a mechanical deer crush, and then confined for 3.5 h with the remainder of the group of stags in an indoor pen containing food and water. In Week 6, the deer were subjected to either restraint for 6 minutes (the control treatment) or removal of one velvet antler under local anaesthesia. Each velvet antler was removed on separate occasions, either on Days 1 and 2 (five deer) or Days 3 and 4 (four deer). The control treatment was applied to all deer when velvet antler was not being removed, and on Day 5. Heart rate and behaviour (time taken to enter the treatment area, and number of struggles made during restraint) were measured before and during treatment, and post-treatment activities were recorded at 0, 1 and 3 h (indoors), and at 6 and 9 h (at pasture). Heart rate was higher during the second velvet antler removal treatment than during the first, but lower during the second control treatment than the first (P<0.05). During velvet antler removal, stags struggled more, and after the treatment flicked their ears, shook their heads, and groomed themselves more than control stags (P<0.05). Stags whose velvet antler had been removed spent less time eating than control stags, and spent progressively more time sitting during the 3.5 h of confinement (P<0.05). However, during the paddock observation at 9 h post-treatment, stags which had had their velvet antler removed grazed more than control stags (P<0.05). The increase in heart rate over the two velvet antler removal treatments and the greater amount of struggling during velvet antler removal indicated that it was more aversive than the control treatment. Post-treatment differences in behaviour may have been due to pain following velvet antler removal.     

长春地区梅花鹿毕氏肠微孢子虫分子流行病学调查

为了掌握长春地区梅花鹿毕氏肠微孢子虫(Enterocytozoon bieneusi)的感染率及基因型种类的分布情况,探究其在人与动物之间传播的源由,本研究于2018年12月-2019年12月期间采集长春地区8个养殖场共计538份梅花鹿粪便样品进行毕氏肠微孢子虫的流行病学调查及基因型分析,经PCR鉴定,测序分析、序列拼接比对以及系统进化分析。试验结果表明,长春地区梅花鹿毕氏肠微孢子虫的感染率为17.84%(96/538),不同养殖场的感染率为0~47.96%;研究共发现14种基因型(BEB6、EbpC、Ⅰ、JLD-Ⅲ、JLD-Ⅸ、JLD-ⅩⅤ、JLD-ⅩⅥ、JLD-ⅩⅦ、JLD-ⅩⅧ、JLD-ⅩⅨ、JLD-ⅩⅩ、JLD-ⅩⅪ、JLD-ⅩⅫ和JLD-ⅩⅩⅢ),其中BEB6为优势基因型。应用多位点序列分型(MLST)方法,选择MS1、MS3、MS4以及MS7位点对毕氏肠微孢子虫阳性样本进行多态性和群体遗传结构分析,结果显示,在96份阳性样品中,共有16份阳性分离株在至少2个位点同时扩增成功,形成10个多位点基因型(multilocus genotypes,MLGs),相同的基因型之间存在不同亚型,表明长春地区梅花鹿毕氏肠微孢子虫具有丰富的遗传多样性。本研究应用分子生物学方法对长春地区梅花鹿毕氏肠微孢子虫的流行病情况及基因型进行分析,研究结果不仅为梅花鹿毕氏肠微孢子虫防控提供科学依据,也为防控毕氏微孢子虫在人和动物间的传播提供基础数据,对保障公共卫生与健康意义重大。     

Sarcoptic mange in red deer from Spain: improved surveillance or disease emergence?

Concern about emerging diseases has risen in recent years, and multihost situations have become increasingly relevant for wildlife management and conservation. We present data on Asturias, northern Spain, where 80 mangy red deer (Cervus elaphus) have been found since the beginning of the epizootic in chamois (Rupicapra pyrenaica parva) in 1993. We combine field and necropsy data with the results of a serosurvey using an in-house ELISA test to evaluate if deer mange due to Sarcoptes scabiei is an emerging disease in this area. The mean number of deer mange cases per year was 5, with a maximum of 16. No significant relationship was detected between monthly temperatures, rainfall or number of days with snow cover and the annual number of sarcoptic mange cases in red deer. Only 4 mangy red deer (5%) were detected outside the limits of scabietic chamois distribution during the same year, and all were less than 2500 m away from that limit. The longest distance reported between two consecutive mangy deer locations was 18 km. Mange cases were significantly more frequent in stags than in hinds and in adults than in juvenile deer. The time of the first mange detection in chamois in each sector, year with minimum number of chamois recorded, year with maximum chamois population decline rate and chamois density offered no significant correlation with red deer mange cases appearance moment and frequency. In the mange affected area, ELISA testing of 327 blood samples from hunter-harvested deer without obvious mange-compatible lesions revealed only 4 seropositive animals. All 83 sera from hunting preserves without clinical cases yielded negative ELISA results. According to these epidemiological data mange does not seem to threaten red deer populations in Asturias. However, continued monitoring of deer health and ELISA testing for sarcoptic mange is advisable.     

Prevalence and molecular characterization of Anaplasmataceae agents in free-ranging Brazilian marsh deer (Blastocerus dichotomus)

Anaplasmataceae organisms comprise a group of obligate intracellular gram-negative, tick-borne bacteria that can infect both animals and humans. In the present work we investigate the presence of Ehrlichia, Anaplasma, and Neorickettsia species in blood samples from Brazilian marsh deer (Blastocerus dichotomus), using both molecular and serologic techniques. Blood was collected from 143 deer captured along floodplains of the Paraná River, near the Porto Primavera hydroelectric power plant. Before and after flooding, marsh deer were captured for a wide range research program under the financial support of S?o Paulo State Energy Company (CESP), between 1998 and 2001. Samples were divided into four groups according to time and location of capture and named MS01 (n=99), MS02 (n=18) (Mato Grosso do Sul, before and after flooding, respectively), PX (n=9; Peixe River, after flooding), and AGUA (n=17; Aguapeí River, after flooding). The seroprevalences for Ehrlichia chaffeensis and Anaplasma phagocytophilum were 76.76% and 20.2% in MS01, 88.88% and 5.55% in MS02, 88.88% and 22.22% in PX, and 94.12% and 5.88% in AGUA, respectively. Sixty-one animals (42.65% of the total population) were PCR-positive for E. chaffeensis PCR (100.0% identity based on 16S rRNA, dsb, and groESL genes). Seventy deer (48.95% of the total population) were PCR-positive for Anaplasma spp. (99.0% of identity with A. platys, and in the same clade as A. phagocytophilum, A. bovis, and A. platys based on 16S rRNA phylogenetic analysis). Our results demonstrate that Brazilian marsh deer are exposed to E. chaffeensis and Anaplasma spp. and may act as reservoirs for these rickettsial agents, playing a role in disease transmission to humans and other animals.