Prevalence of Toxoplasma gondii antibodies in wild red deer, roe deer, moose, and reindeer from Norway

Serum samples from 4339 wild cervids collected in Norway were tested for antibodies against Toxoplasma gondii using the direct agglutination test. The association between seroprevalence and species, sex, age, and geographic region was investigated. Positive titers (> or =1:40) were found in 33.9% of 760 roe deer (Capreolus capreolus); 12.6% of 2142 moose (Alces alces); 7.7% of 571 red deer (Cervus elaphus); and 1.0% of 866 reindeer (Rangifer tarandus). The seroprevalences were significantly different between the species. There was a significant increase in prevalence with age in roe deer, moose, and red deer, except from yearling to adult in red deer. A significant age-sex interaction was found in moose, and the effect of age was most distinct for females. No association between seropositive animals and sex was found for roe deer and red deer. There were significant differences in prevalence between geographic regions in roe deer and male moose. A widespread exposure to T. gondii in Norwegian cervids is documented, and meat from Norwegian cervids, particularly roe deer, should be regarded a potential source of infection for humans.     

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.     

Hypoderma diana in roe deer in the Netherlands

An infestation with Hypoderma diana in roe deer in the Netherlands is described. The condition of the infested deer was poor. Hypoderma diana is no threat for cattle.     

Delayed acute capture myopathy in three roe deer

Delayed acute capture myopathy is the term used to describe the clinical syndrome observed in three roe deer captured by drive-nets and transported to an enclosure for scientific purposes. The animals died 48 h, 60 h and 8 days after being captured. The simultaneous deaths coincided with a previous episode of deliberate human disturbance. The histopathological findings were indicative of acute myopathy and myoglobinaemic nephrosis. These could be related to an ataxic myoglobinuric syndrome brought on by capture and transport operations. The lack of clinical signs and negative prognosis indicators in the period between capture and just before death. the absence of gross muscular lesions in the animal that died after 8 days post-capture, the simultaneous deaths of animals captured at different times and the evidence of deliberate human disturbance in the enclosure are suggestive of death triggered by a second stress episode.     

Corynebacterium ulcerans infection in roe deer (Capreolus capreolus)

This is the first report of a Corynebacterium (C) ulcerans-infection in European roe deer (Capreolus capreolus). The bacterium was isolated from a grapefruit sized abscess of an animal that had been shot. In addition to biochemical tests, the isolate was identified by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) and partial sequencing of the rpoB gene. The isolated bacteria showed phospholipase D activity that could be demonstrated by reverse CAMP-test. A tox-gene could be detected by PCR but the Elek-test specific for diphtheria toxin failed.The isolate was compared to two C. ulcerans-strains isolated from wild boar (Sus scrofa) from the state of Baden-Wuerttemberg described recently.     

Atmospheric flash injuries in roe deer (Capreolus capreolus)

The pathological and histopathological examination of two female roe deer found dead after a severe thunderstorm is described. One of the two roe deer was killed by a direct hit of atmospheric flash, while the other animal, lying 1.5 m from the first one, died as a consequence of ground current strike. The major part of the coat and skin of the animal that was killed by a direct hit was covered with scorched streaks. The trachea and bronchi of both animals contained a considerable amount of aspirated light-red foam. Necropsy revealed diffuse haemorrhages over the epicardium of the right atrium with a diameter of 1 millimetre. The liver and the kidney exhibited severe congestion.     

The moose throat bot fly Cephenemyia ulrichii larvae (Diptera: Oestridae) found developing in roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) for the first time

About fifty larvae of Cephenemyia ulrichii Brauer (Diptera: Oestridae), some of them nearly full-grown third instars, were found in the throat of a roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) in June 2007 near Helsinki in Finland. The parasite is considered to be host specific, occurring only in the moose (Alces alces), and this paper is apparently the first report of a successful infestation in an aberrant host.     

Prevalence of antibodies against Toxoplasma gondii in roe deer from Spain

Roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) is an important game animal in Spain. Sera from 278 roe deer from eight areas in mainland Spain were assayed for antibodies to Toxoplasma gondii by modified agglutination test (MAT). Titers of 1:25 or higher were found in 109 (39.2%) of 278 deer. No significant differences in antibody prevalence were found between sex or age categories. In contrast, significant differences in seroprevalence between locations were evident. Roe deer from the Northern coastal habitats (high humidity and roe deer density) had the highest prevalence, compared with low prevalence in Central Spain (arid areas and low roe deer density). There was a positive correlation between antibody prevalence and mean annual rainfall (r(s)=0.85, n=8, P<0.01). These findings have environmental and/or public health implications because venison can be an important meat source of T. gondii infections for humans and feral cats.     

Electrocardiographic parameters of free-ranging roe deer (Capreolus capreolus).

Electrocardiographic parameters were measured in 28 free-ranging roe deer (Capreolus capreolus). The electrocardiograms (ECGs) were recorded in base-apex lead, standard bipolar limb leads (I, II, III), and augmented unipolar limb leads (aVR, aVL, aVF). Morphology and amplitude of P waves, QRS complexes, and T waves were analyzed in all seven leads. Cardiac rhythm, heart rate, and durations of P, QRS, and T waves, PR interval, QTc interval, and ST segment were calculated in the base-apex lead. The mean electrical axis for each individual was determined from the net amplitude of the QRS complex in leads I and II. All of the animals had a sinus rhythm. Heart rates ranged from 60-180 beats per minute, with a mean +/- SD of 104.8 +/- 44.1. The electrical axis was 100 degrees-220 degrees, with a mean +/- SD of 169.5 degrees +/- 40.8 degrees. The base-apex lead provided the most uniform ECG patterns and higher mean amplitudes than did standard leads.     

Case report: Hypertrophic osteopathy in roe deer (Capreolus capreolus)

This report describes a case of hypertrophic osteopathy in an approximately three years old male roe deer (Capreolus capreolus). The hunter reported that the animal was apparently healthy and showed no signs of movement imparities. At dissection, a combination of a lung abscess with bony swellings at the distal parts of the limbs was observed. Further investigation revealed that the bony swellings were caused by a severe periosteal hyperosteosis at the diaphyses of the digital phalanges, metacarpal and metatarsal bones. The periosteal new bone was characterized by the formation of coralliform osteophytes, typically seen in cases of hypertrophic osteopathy. As usual in animals with hypertrophic osteopathy, the pathological changes in this roe deer developed secondary to a intrathoracic lesion (lung abscess).     

Relationship between diet and liver carcinomas in roe deer in Kielder Forest and Galloway Forest

The winter diets of roe deer culled from Kielder Forest, in north-east England, where the incidence of liver carcinomas in roe deer is high, and Galloway Forest, in south-west Scotland, where the incidence of liver carcinomas is low, were compared by microhistological analysis of faeces. Both areas are planted with spruce forests but the diets of the deer from Kielder Forest were less varied and contained more spruce and heather than the diets of the deer from Galloway Forest.     

我国狍子源鞭虫的分子鉴定与进化分析

为鉴定我国黑龙江省分离的狍子源鞭虫的种类及确定其在鞭虫中的分类地位,本研究首先对鞭虫进行形态学特征观察,并利用PCR方法扩增该鞭虫r DNA ITS序列,经测序分析结果表明,r DNA ITS序列全长为1 371 bp,其中ITS1、5.8S及ITS2大小分别为800 bp、163 bp及408 bp,与之前报道的狍子源鞭虫同源性达99.8%。将其与NCBI数据库中相应鞭虫ITS序列进行比对分析,并将r DNA ITS序列作为基因标记构建鞭虫属系统发生树,结果显示本研究所分离的狍子源鞭虫与其他不同宿主的无色鞭虫均处于同一个分支,因此可鉴定本研究分离的我国狍子源鞭虫为无色鞭虫。本研究为国内首次对狍子源鞭虫进行分子鉴定及系统进化分析,为草食动物的鞭虫病分子鉴别诊断和鞭虫系统进化分析研究提供依据。