Signs of generalized anxiety and compulsive disorders in chimpanzees

Fear and anxiety have been studied extensively in humans and other animals. However, far less attention has been focused on the clinical and ethical implications of nonhuman animals’ susceptibility to psychological disorders. Behavioral signs of psychopathology in nonhuman animals, including our closest phylogenetic relatives, are rarely described as clinical syndromes. In this study, we drew on approaches described in child psychiatry, veterinary medicine, and primatology, to identify behavioral clusters in chimpanzees comparable with human anxiety disorders, such as generalized anxiety disorder and obsessive–compulsive disorder.In phase 1 of this study, we accessed published case reports of 20 chimpanzees subjected to maternal separation, social isolation, experimentation, or similar experiences. We tested the inter-rater reliability of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (fourth edition; DSM-IV) criteria for generalized anxiety disorder and obsessive–compulsive disorder when applied to chimpanzees in these case studies. Additionally, based on the DSM-IV, veterinary approaches, and ethograms, we defined behaviorally anchored alternative criteria, which proved more reliable than the DSM-IV criteria in phase 1. In phase 2, the new behaviorally anchored criteria were applied to chimpanzees living in wild sites in Africa (n = 196) and those with previous histories of experimentation, orphanage, illegal seizure, or violent human conflict (n = 168) living in sanctuaries. In phase 2, 18% of chimpanzees living in sanctuaries met the set of behaviorally anchored criteria for generalized anxiety disorder, compared with 0.5% of those in the wild (P = 0.036), and 19% of chimpanzees in sanctuaries met the set of behaviorally anchored criteria for obsessive–compulsive disorder, compared with 0% of those in the wild (P = 0.071).Chimpanzees display behavioral clusters similar to anxiety disorders described in humans, underscoring the importance of ethical considerations regarding their use in experimentation and other captive settings.     

Ecological preferences of exophilic and endophilic ticks (Acari: Ixodidae) parasitizing wild carnivores in the Iberian Peninsula

Ticks parasitizing wild carnivores and the tick-borne pathogens (TBPs) that they transmit may affect domestic carnivores and humans. Thus, investigating the role of wild carnivores as tick hosts is of relevance for understanding the life cycle of ticks in natural foci and the epidemiology of TBPs shared with domestic animals and humans. Therefore, the main objective of this study was to determine the ixodid tick fauna of wild carnivores in Peninsular Spain and the environmental factors driving the risk of wild carnivores to be parasitized by ixodid ticks. We hypothesized that the adaptation of tick species to differing climatic conditions may be reflected in a similar parasitization risk of wild carnivores by ticks between bioclimatic regions in our study area. To test this, we surveyed ixodid ticks in wild carnivores in oceanic, continental-Mediterranean, and thermo-Mediterranean bioclimatic regions of Peninsular Spain. We analyzed the influence of environmental factors on the risk of wild carnivores to be parasitized by ticks by performing logistic regression models. Models were separately performed for exophilic and endophilic ticks under the expected differing influence of environmental conditions on their life cycle. We found differences in the composition of the tick community parasitizing wild carnivores from different bioclimatic regions. Modelling results partially confirmed our null hypothesis because bioclimatic region was not a relevant factor influencing the risk of wild carnivores to be parasitized by exophilic ticks. Bioclimatic region was however a factor driving the risk of wild carnivores to be parasitized by endophilic ticks. Spanish wild carnivores are hosts to a relevant number of tick species, some of them being potential vectors of pathogens causing serious animal and human diseases. Information provided herein can be of help to understand tick ecology in Spanish wildlife, the epidemiology of tick-borne diseases, and to prevent the risks of TBPs for wildlife, domestic animals, and humans.     

The killing of surplus and old animals in zoos

The painless killing of animals in order to avoid considerable suffering has a legal basis and is sufficiently accepted by the society. The situation is, however, different when the matter concerns zoological gardens having on some occasions to put down apparently healthy animals. Since the natural populations of many species have almost been extinguished in the wild or are already eradicated, zoos play a prominent role in the ex-situ survival-breeding of many wild animals. This means that zoos often have self-supporting populations of species rather than only single individuals, as was frequently the case in the past. Such breeding also brings with it the possibility that animals will survive without the option of transferring them to other acceptable locations. In the wild, natural environmental factors prevent excessive population growth, whereas in zoos and in other protective reservations, such regulatory mechanisms are simply not existent. Such regulation can, however, often be achieved by animal transfers and other stock regulating measures. If these measures are not available the option of putting the animals down must be considered. Preventing suffering is of course the priority, as is demanded by zoos together with recognised animal protection organisations. This is compliant with German law and takes place for obvious and sensible reasons. The scientific zoological gardens organised in the German Zoo Directors Council discussed the problem of killing animals at the 1999 conference at Rostock and drafted a paper presenting its position on the subject. The paper argues that even under optimal husbandry conditions, while alternative options of breeding, planning and stabilisation of stock must be considered, the humane killing of animals will sometimes be unavoidable.     

Pestiviruses in wild animals

Pestiviruses are not strictly host-species specific and can infect not only domestic but also wild animals. The most important pestivirus, CSFV, infects domestic pigs and wild boars, which may cause a major problem for successful CSFV eradication programmes. Mainly BVDV specific antibodies have been reported in captive and free-living animals. Virus has been isolated from some of these animal species, but since BVDV can contaminate cell cultures and foetal calf serum, early reports of BVDV isolation have to be considered with caution. Genetic typing of early pestivirus isolates from wild species revealed that the majority were BVDV-1. Of the pestiviruses identified so far three species (CSFV, BVDV-1, giraffe pestivirus) and three genotypes (BDV-2, BDV-4, pronghorn) appear to circulate in wildlife animal populations. The potential for pestiviruses to spread between farm animals and free-living animals is discussed as are epidemiological and technical problems, and the future direction of research.     

我国野生动物保护的司法解释亟待修改

我国现行的有关野生动物保护的刑事司法解释颁布于2000年,至今未做调整。在2016年修订了野生动物保护法情况下,该司法解释在两个关键问题上亟待修改。一是应当确定野生动物的法律内涵,明确并非所有人工驯养繁殖动物均属于野生动物。其标准在于其遗传结构和生活习性是否仍保持野生种群的特征;二是需要明确即便有部分人工驯养繁殖动物属于野生动物,也应当与真正的野生动物区别对待。二者在定罪量刑的标准上应有所不同,以保证司法公平正义的实现。     

Infraorbital sinusitis associated with Pasteurella multocida in pen-raised ring-necked pheasants.

Pasteurella multocida, somatic serotype 6, was isolated from the infraorbital sinuses of 8-wk-old ring-necked pheasants with severe sinusitis. In addition, Escherichia coli, Pasteurella haemolytica-like bacteria, Mycoplasma gallinaceum, and Mycoplasma glycophilum were also isolated from some of the sinuses. Clinical signs appeared 3 days after placement on the grow-out ranch. The sinusitis consisted of severe unilateral or bilateral distention of the sinuses by mucoid to caseous exudate. Mortality and morbidity were low. Birds responded to treatment with tetracycline after proper medication procedures. The source of the infection was not determined, though possible sources include the brood ranch, wild animals, or wild waterfowl.     

Incidence of Classical Swine Fever (CSF) in Wild Boar in a Densely Populated Area Indicating CSF. Virus Persistence as a Mechanism for Virus Perpetuation

A virological survey was carried out to establish the distribution of classical swine fever (CSF) virus among wild boar in the Federal State of Brandenburg, Germany. Organ materials and blood samples were collected from 11 670 wild boar shot or found dead during the period March 1995 to December 1997. In total 211 (1.8%) wild boar were positive for CSF virus or antigen. The incidence of CSF-positive animals decreased continuously from 4.6% at the beginning of the epidemic in 1995 to 0.7% in 1997. The highest incidence of positive animals (22%) was found in wild-boar piglets younger than 3 months of age in 1995. The findings were indicative for the decisive role which young wild boar play in the epidemiology of CSF. Following intrauterine transfer some of the wild-boar piglets were probably persistently infected with CSF virus as experienced experimentally. Such piglets can be held responsible for CSF virus perpetuation within the wild-boar population. No CSF virus was isolated from adult wild boar weighing more than 75 kg. During 3 years of monitoring a sufficient number of susceptible wild boar, in particular young animals, was available to maintain the infection chain in that area. It was concluded that persistently infected piglets and the high population density of wild boar in the Brandenburg region offered optimal conditions for the establishment of an CSF epidemic.     

Incidence of classical swine fever (CSF) in wild boar in a densely populated area indicating CSF virus persistence as a mechanism for virus perpetuation

A virological survey was carried out to establish the distribution of classical swine fever (CSF) virus among wild boar in the Federal State of Brandenburg, Germany. Organ materials and blood samples were collected from 11,670 wild boar shot or found dead during the period March 1995 to December 1997. In total 211 (1.8%) wild boar were positive for CSF virus or antigen. The incidence of CSF-positive animals decreased continuously from 4.6% at the beginning of the epidemic in 1995 to 0.7% in 1997. The highest incidence of positive animals (22%) was found in wild-boar piglets younger than 3 months of age in 1995. The findings were indicative for the decisive role which young wild boar play in the epidemiology of CSF. Following intrauterine transfer some of the wild-boar piglets were probably persistently infected with CSF virus as experienced experimentally. Such piglets can be held responsible for CSF virus perpetuation within the wild-boar population. No CSF virus was isolated from adult wild boar weighing more than 75 kg. During 3 years of monitoring a sufficient number of susceptible wild boar, in particular young animals, was available to maintain the infection chain in that area. It was concluded that persistently infected piglets and the high population density of wild boar in the Brandenburg region offered optimal conditions for the establishment of an CSF epidemic.     

Living space in zoos--criteria for species-specific animal husbandry

Keeping wild animals in captivity is still object of criticism, above all due to the fact that room is restricted for these animals. But wild animal husbandry is basing on several factors: It has to concern physiological requirements as well as natural behaviour patterns, so as actions and reactions of wild living animals caused by ecological occasions have to be replaced by suitable arrangements. Most of the time proper animals husbandry is valued by quantity; in that way, that the measurements of artificial homes are often supposed to be more important than the quality of this enclosures. Optimal feeding, social structure, stimula for behaviour patterns like playing, breeding an rearing in calmness and well trained keepers are other basic requirements for wild animal husbandry. Criteria for keeping wild animals should not be scheduled by restrictive arrangements; innovations would be complicated by any regulations.     

Veterinary aspects of ecological monitoring: the natural history of emerging infectious diseases of humans,domestic animals and wildlife

Proliferation of disease pathogens capable of affecting humans, domestic livestock and wildlife increasingly threatens environmental security and biodiversity. Livestock and wild animals in proximity to human beings are often in the chain of transmission and infection. Globalization of industrial livestock production (especially poultry upon which so much of the burgeoning human population depends) often permits transcontinental disease spread. Rapidly expanding (and often illegal) international trade in wild and domestic animals and their products are increasingly involved in the emergence of new diseases that may have the ability to transmit among humans, livestock and wildlife. Rapidly increasing urbanization has led in many places to overcrowded townships that rely on “bushmeat” for sustenance and has contributed to the emergence of virulent zoonotic pathogens. The emergence and proliferation of pathogens are exacerbated by anthropogenic transformation of natural landscapes in order to increase agricultural and livestock production. This paper posits that data gathered by veterinary ecologists should be interpreted and used by other disciplines. The importance of a thorough knowledge of the “natural history” (ecology) of the disease agent and its human, domestic and wild hosts is stressed.     

Trichinellosis in Papua New Guinea

OBJECTIVES: To describe the discovery in a domestic pig of the first case of trichinellosis in Papua New Guinea, caused by a new taxon within the genus Trichinella (T papuae). Also, to establish if the disease occurred in the local wild pig population and in domestic pigs elsewhere in the country, and to test if the worm was infective to some other animals. PROCEDURE: Fresh and fixed tissue samples were examined by the digestion method and histologically, respectively, for the non-encapsulated larvae of T papuae. Feeding trials were conducted, using infected tissues and infective larvae, on animals under laboratory conditions. RESULTS: About 8.8% of a wild pig population in Western Province, adjacent to Irian Jaya, Indonesia, was found to be infected. Infection was not found in other local and feral animals or in domestic pigs from other parts of the country. Infection was experimentally established in cats, pigs and laboratory bred mice and rats. CONCLUSION: Trichinellosis is confined to one remote locality in PNG. Domestic pigs in the initial case became infected, probably, by eating infected wild pig meat.     

Factors affecting the seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii infection in wild rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) from Spain

Sera from 456 wild rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) collected between 1992 and 2003 from five geographical regions of Spain were examined for antibodies to Toxoplasma gondii by the modified agglutination test. Antibodies to T. gondii were found in 65 (14.2%) wild rabbits. Prevalence of infection was significantly higher in samples collected from wild rabbits from Catalonia, northeast Spain (53.8%), where rabbits lived in forest, compared to other areas (Huelva and Cádiz, Andalucía, south Spain; Toledo, Castilla-La Mancha, central Spain; and Zaragoza, Aragón, northeast Spain) with more dry conditions, where prevalence ranged from 6.1 to 14.6%. No differences were observed on prevalence and age (young animals <7 months of age compared to older animals), sex, date of samples collection or season of samples collection. The results indicate that prevalence of T. gondii in some areas of Spain is high, and this finding could have environmental and/or public health implications if wild rabbits are to be used as a source of food.     

The high prevalence of hepatitis E virus infection in wild boars in Ibaraki Prefecture,Japan

Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is known as a causative agent of zoonosis and food poisoning. Pigs and some species of wild animals, including wild boar, are known to be a reservoir of HEV. In this study, we investigated the situation regarding HEV infection in wild boars in Ibaraki Prefecture, Japan. Serum, liver and feces samples from 68 animals were collected, and the presence or absence of HEV genomic RNA and HEV antibodies were analyzed. The viral genome was detected in samples from 7 (10.3%) animals, with all HEVs classified as genotype 3, subtype 3b. HEV antibodies were detected in samples from 28 (41%) animals. This report demonstrates for the first time the high prevalence of HEV infection in wild boars in Ibaraki Prefecture.     

Towards informed metrics for examining the role of human‐induced animal responses in tag studies on wild animals

Two prime issues can detrimentally affect animals that have been equipped with tags: (i) the effect of the capture and restraint process; and (ii) the effect of the tag itself. This work examines some of the issues surrounding quantification of tag effects on wild animals for both restrained and free‐living animals. A new method to quantify stress effects based on monitoring ventilation rates in relation to activity is suggested for restrained animals which may help improve the practice of handling animals. It is also suggested that various metrics, many derived from accelerometers, can be examined in tagged wild animals to examine the change in behaviors over time with a view to having a better understanding of welfare issues, assuring the quality of recorded data and informing best practice.     

Danger of introducing heartwater onto the American mainland: potential role of indigenous and exotic Amblyomma ticks

The existence of heartwater on 3 islands of the Central Lesser Antilles and the presence of an efficient vector originating from Africa, Amblyomma variegatum, on most of the islands of this region constitute a serious threat for livestock on the American mainland. The disease can be introduced there either by infected animals or infected ticks. The most likely way is probably the transportation of domestic animals which are heavily infested by ticks. Due to the low rate of infection of ticks in endemic areas and the low rate of infestation of wild animals by ticks, the risk of transportation by migratory birds (among which the cattle egret is the most important) seems negligible compared with domestic animals, especially ruminants and dogs. The establishment and spread of the disease on the mainland could result from indigenous American Amblyomma species, of which at least 2, Amblyomma cajennense and, more especially, Amblyomma maculatum, are experimental vectors. The biological and ecological features of these ticks conform to some extent with the characteristics necessary for them to act as vectors. They are widespread and sufficiently well adapted to ruminants to ensure the continuation of the epidemiological cycle. Disease could evolve in wild life (deer) or, as seems more likely, in livestock, of which the population density is very high on most of the mainland. However, the establishment of the disease is more likely to occur if the well adapted vector of heartwater, Amblyomma variegatum, is introduced as well. This exotic species would find environmental conditions favourable for its survival and spread in most of the tropical and subtropical Western Hemisphere. Protection of the American mainland and the disease-free islands of the area must be based on strict control of domestic animal movement in the Caribbean, on the decrease of the vector population by tick control campaigns and, if possible, on the eradication of Amblyomma variegatum from the focus of heartwater on the islands.     

山西省羊蓝舌病防控技术的研究应用

利用分离鉴定的Ⅰ型蓝舌病(BIV、Ⅰ型)地方毒株和16型毒株研制弱毒疫苗，对重点地区实行免疫接种，并用c-ELISA进行免疫监测表明，抗体阳性率高达70．1％。适时提出抓种畜检疫，净化，限制疫点畜群流动，大力开展产地检疫，搞好季节灭蠓，加强环境消毒，布点放置哨兵羊等，建立起一整套动物蓝舌病综合防控技术体系，为控制动物蓝舌病奠定了基础。     

Epizootiologic survey for Babesia microti among small wild mammals in northeastern Eurasia and a geographic diversity in the beta-tubulin gene sequences

We previously reported that small wild rodents in Japan harbor two types of novel Babesia microti-like parasites (designated as Hobetsu and Kobe types), but not the type commonly found in the northeastern United States (U.S. type) where human babesiosis is endemic. To determine whether these new types of parasites are distributed in places surrounding Japan, an epizootiologic survey was undertaken in three geographically distant areas in northeastern Eurasia; South Korea, Vladivostok in Russia, and Xinjiang in China. Blood samples were collected from a total of 387 animals comprising 24 species. DNAs extracted from the samples were tested by nested PCR targeting babesial nuclear small-subunit rRNA gene (rDNA), which revealed that small rodents harboring B. microti exist in all three survey areas. Sequence analysis showed that all PCR-positive samples had rDNA sequences virtually identical to that of U.S.-type B. microti. However, when beta-tubulin gene sequences were compared, evident geographic variations were seen. By use of primers specific for each of the beta-tubulin genes of Kobe-, Hobetsu-, and U.S.-type parasites, a type-specific PCR was developed. Parasite with Hobetsu- or Kobe-type sequence was not detected from any of the three survey areas. These findings suggest that U.S.-type B. microti is widely distributed among small wild mammals in temperate zones of not only North America, but also Eurasia, whereas that Hobetsu- and Kobe-type parasites may be uniquely distributed in Japan.     

Foot-and-mouth disease and its differential diagnoses

Foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) is a highly contagious viral disease of cloven-hoofed animals, which leads to the formation of vesicles, erosions und ulcerations in the mouth and hairless parts of the skin, in particular on the feet. Due to its dramatic economic consequences, FMD is considered to be one of the most important diseases of animals. There is a permanent risk of introduction of the virus into Europe due to travel and illegal importation of agricultural products. Cloven-hoofed animals (cattle, sheep, goats, pigs and related game animals) are the typical hosts of the FMD virus. However, some zoo and wild animals belonging to other taxonomical groups, such as giraffes, elephants and camels, are also susceptible. Stomatitis and infections of the feet in livestock occur quite frequently, and often the causes of these conditions remain obscure. Sometimes, a differentiation from FMD is not possible on the basis of clinical signs and gross lesions, necessitating further laboratory investigations. This applies in particular to cases caused by the agents of vesicular stomatitis (VS) and swine vesicular disease (SVD). Additionally, other infectious agents can cause stomatitis, e.g. the viruses of mucosal disease (MD), malignant catarrhal fever (MCF), rinderpest, peste des petits ruminants (PPR), papular stomatitis, orf, blue tongue (BT) and epizootic haemorrhagic disease (EHD). In sheep, a stomatitis of unclear etiology was described as "OMAGOD". Furthermore, bacteria, chemicals and mechanical trauma can cause stomatitis and pododermatitis.     

榆林地区动物间鼠疫风险调查分析

鼠疫是鼠疫耶尔森菌借鼠蚤传播为主的甲类传染病,系广泛流行于野生啮齿类动物间的一种自然疫源性疾病,易感动物主要为啮齿动物,人类一旦感染对其生命健康存在极大的危害。榆林地区虽然目前未发生动物间鼠疫疫情流行,但与榆林地区接壤的内蒙、宁夏等地近年来相继报道出现动物间鼠疫疫情传播情况。本文通过对鼠疫的流行特点和传播途径进行论述,对榆林地区目前面临的形势及风险进行研判,并进一步对本地人间鼠疫防控工作进行深入调查研究,为逐步建立系统性的动物间鼠疫监测工作提供科学依据。