Domestic dog health worsens with socio-economic deprivation of their home communities

Dogs play an important role in infectious disease transmission as reservoir hosts of many zoonotic and wildlife pathogens. Nevertheless, unlike wildlife species involved in the life cycle of pathogens, whose health status might be a direct reflection of their fitness and competitive abilities, dog health condition could be sensitive to socio-economic factors impacting the well-being of their owners. Here, we compare several dog health indicators in three rural communities of Panama with different degrees of socio-economic deprivation. From a total of 78 individuals, we collected blood and fecal samples, and assessed their body condition. With the blood samples, we performed routine hematologic evaluation (complete blood counts) and measured cytokine levels (Interferon-γ and Interleukin-10) through enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. With the fecal samples we diagnosed helminthiases. Dogs were also serologically tested for exposure to Trypanosoma cruzi and canine distemper virus, and molecular tests were done to assess T. cruzi infection status. We found significant differences between dog health measurements, pathogen prevalence, parasite richness, and economic status of the human communities where the dogs lived. We found dogs that were less healthy, more likely to be infected with zoonotic pathogens, and more likely to be seropositive to canine distemper virus in the communities with lower economic status. This study concludes that isolated communities of lower economic status in Panama may have less healthy dogs that could become major reservoirs in the transmission of diseases to humans and sympatric wildlife.     

Identification of selected wild felids using hair morphology and forensically informative nucleotide sequencing (FINS): Wildlife forensics prospective

We describe the identification of the leopard cat (Prionailurus bengalensis), jungle cat (Felis chaus) fishing cat (Prionailurus viverrinusis), wild cat (Felis silvestris) and caracal (Caracal caracal) using combined approach of morphological and molecular based analysis. Three mitochondrial genes [12S rRNA, 16S rRNA and cytochrome b (Cyt b)] and hair characteristics (cuticle and medulla patterns) were analysed and variation was observed among few selected wild felids. We did not find conclusive morphological difference among these examined felids. We observed maximum variation in Cyt b in comparison to12S rRNA and 16S rRNA genes. Therefore, despite poor hair morphological difference, forensically informative nucleotide sequencing (FINS) exhibited unambiguous variation among the examined felids. We suggest the use of FINS for differentiating biological samples of closely related wild felids to avoid any false identification of species in illicit trade. Furthermore, the data generated from the present work would help in strengthening the DNA database of Indian small cats.     

Role of India’s wildlife in the emergence and re-emergence of zoonotic pathogens,risk factors and public health implications

Evolving land use practices have led to an increase in interactions at the human/wildlife interface. The presence and poor knowledge of zoonotic pathogens in India's wildlife and the occurrence of enormous human populations interfacing with, and critically linked to, forest ecosystems warrant attention. Factors such as diverse migratory bird populations, climate change, expanding human population and shrinking wildlife habitats play a significant role in the emergence and re-emergence of zoonotic pathogens from India's wildlife. The introduction of a novel Kyasanur forest disease virus (family flaviviridae) into human populations in 1957 and subsequent occurrence of seasonal outbreaks illustrate the key role that India's wild animals play in the emergence and reemergence of zoonotic pathogens. Other high priority zoonotic diseases of wildlife origin which could affect both livestock and humans include influenza, Nipah, Japanese encephalitis, rabies, plague, leptospirosis, anthrax and leishmaniasis. Continuous monitoring of India's extensively diverse and dispersed wildlife is challenging, but their use as indicators should facilitate efficient and rapid disease-outbreak response across the region and occasionally the globe. Defining and prioritizing research on zoonotic pathogens in wildlife are essential, particularly in a multidisciplinary one-world one-health approach which includes human and veterinary medical studies at the wildlife-livestock-human interfaces. This review indicates that wild animals play an important role in the emergence and re-emergence of zoonotic pathogens and provides brief summaries of the zoonotic diseases that have occurred in wild animals in India.     

两种贵州野生食用菌和香菇营养成分分析

目的:对贵州野生牛肝菌、野生多汁乳菇、香菇进行营养成分分析。方法:用凯氏法测定3种食用菌中蛋白质(总氮)含量;用氨基酸分析仪测定3种食用菌中的氨基酸,用原子吸收光谱法测定3种食用菌中的矿物元素。结果:3种食用菌的蛋白质含量香菇>野生牛肝菌>野生多汁乳菇;氨基酸含量野生牛肝菌>野生多汁乳菇>香菇,其中人体必需氨基酸的含量占总氨基酸含量分别为32%、31%、23%。3种食用菌都含有多种矿物元素,其中野生牛肝菌中铁、磷、铜均倍量高于野生多汁乳菇和香菇。结论:贵州野生牛肝菌、野生多汁乳菇是富含各种营养物质、不逊于香菇的食用菌,具有开发价值。     

Dopamine and norepinephrine depletion in ring doves fed DDE, dieldrin, and Aroclor 1254

The levels of dopamine and norepinephrine were measured in one-half of the brain of ring doves fed a control diet or a diet containing 2, 20, or 200 ppm DDE; 1, 4, or 16 ppm dieldrin; or 1, 10, or 100 ppm Aroclor 1254. Levels of DDE, dieldrin, or Aroclor 1254 were determined in the other half of each brain. The intermediate and high levels of each chemical caused depletions in both neurotransmitters, and brain residues of each chemical were negatively correlated with levels of neurotransmitters. The highest concentrations of DDE, dieldrin, and Aroclor 1254 depressed averages of dopamine to 42.4, 41.4, and 45.2% of the control level and norepinephrine to 61.6, 62.0, and 56.9% of controls, respectively. Depletions of dopamine and norepinephrine could result in abnormal behavior of contaminated birds in the wild, and the detection of such depletions could become an important tool in assessing contaminant-induced behavioral aberrations in birds.     

Effects of industrial effluents,heavy metals,and organic solvents on mallard embryo development

Mallard eggs were externally exposed at 3 and 8 days of incubation to 7 different industrial effluents and to 7 different heavy metal, organic solvent, and petroleum solutions to screen for potential embryo-toxic effects. This route of exposure was chosen in order to simulate the transfer of pollutant from the plumage of aquatic birds to their eggs. Five of the effluents including mineral pigment, scouring effluent, sludge, and tannery effluent resulted in small but significant reductions in embryonic growth. Treatment with methyl mercury chloride solution of 50 ppm (Hg) impaired embryonic growth but much higher concentrations were required to affect survival and cause teratogenic effects. Oil used to suppress road dust was the most toxic of the pollutants tested and only 0.5 $\text{μl}\text{egg}$ caused 60% mortality by 18 days of development.These findings, in combination with other studies suggest that petroleum pollutants, or effluents in combination with petroleum, may pose a hazard to birds' eggs when exposure is by this route.     

Effects of lead exposure on oxidative stress biomarkers and plasma biochemistry in waterbirds in the field

Medina lagoon in Andalusia has one of the highest densities of spent lead (Pb) shot in Europe. Blood samples from waterbirds were collected in 2006–2008 to measure Pb concentration (PbB), δ-aminolevulinic acid dehydratase (ALAD), oxidative stress biomarkers and plasma biochemistry. PbB above background levels (>20 μg/dl) was observed in 19% (n=59) of mallards (Anas platyrhynchos) and in all common pochards (Aythya ferina) (n=4), but common coots (Fulica atra) (n=37) and moorhens (Gallinula chloropus) (n=12) were all <20 μg/dl. ALAD ratio in mallards and coots decreased with PbB levels >6 μg/dl. In mallards, an inhibition of glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and an increased level of oxidized glutathione (oxGSH) in red blood cells (RBC) were associated with PbB levels >20 μg/dl. In coots, PbB levels were negatively related to vitamin A and carotenoid levels in plasma, and total glutathione in RBCs; and positively related with higher superoxide dismutase and GPx activities and % oxGSH in RBCs. Overall, the results indicate that previously assumed background levels of PbB for birds need to be revised.     

南充地区半夏资源调查及与省外半夏形态特征的比较

目的 调查、比较南充地区半夏资源与省外半夏药材的形态特征,确立前者的品质,为进一步开发利用和规范化种植提供科学依据。方法 查阅文献资料与野外实地调查相结合,采集、鉴定标本,比较药材性状和数据分析。结果 查清了南充地区半夏品种、资源分布、购销情况。结论 南充地区半夏是天南星科植物半夏Pinellia ternata(Thunb．)Breit．的干燥块茎,是中国药典收载品种,资源分布广,蕴藏鞋500～1000吨,年产量100～200吨。药材呈类球形,表面白净,质地坚实,断面洁白,富含粉性,在国内外市场很有竞争力,具有很好的利用与开发价值。     

Feasibility and efficacy of oral rabies vaccine SAG2 in endangered Ethiopian wolves

Diseases are a major cause of population declines in endangered populations of several canid species. Parenteral vaccination efforts to protect Ethiopian wolves (Canis simensis) from rabies have targeted the domestic dog reservoir, or the wolves themselves in response to confirmed outbreaks. Oral vaccination offers a more cost-efficient, safe and proactive approach to protect Ethiopian wolves and other threatened canids from rabies. Field trials of the oral vaccine Rabigen® SAG2Dog were undertaken in the Bale Mountains of southeastern Ethiopia. Four different bait types and three delivery methods were tested in twelve Ethiopian wolf packs, and the oral vaccine (using the preferred bait) was trialled in three packs. Vaccine uptake and immunization rates were measured through direct observations and in live-trapped animals through the assessment of biomarker levels and serological status. Commercial baits were never taken by wolves; goat meat baits had the highest uptake, compared to rodent and intestine baits. Targeted delivery from horseback and nocturnal delivery within a pack’s territory performed favourably compared to random bait distribution. Bait uptake by non-target species was lowest during the nocturnal blind distribution. Of 21 wolves trapped after vaccination, 14 were positive for the biomarker iophenoxic acid (i.e. ingested the bait and most likely pierced the sachet with the vaccine). Of these, 86% (n = 12/14) had levels considered sufficient to provide protective immunity to wildlife (⩾0.20 IU/ml), and 50% (n = 7/14) demonstrated antibody titres above the universally recognised threshold (⩾0.5 IU/ml) -the baseline average was 0.09 IU/ml (n = 12 wolves). All but one of the wolves vaccinated in 2014 were alive 14 months later. Our trials confirm the potential for SAG2, delivered in a goat meat bait, to effectively protect Ethiopian wolves against rabies, supporting the initiative for a more efficient and proactive approach to manage and eventually eliminate rabies in Ethiopian wolf populations.     

Phylogenetic analysis of severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome virus in Korean water deer (Hydropotes inermis argyropus) in the Republic of Korea

Severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome (SFTS) is an emerging zoonotic tick-borne disease caused by SFTS virus, which circulates among ticks and their host animals, including wildlife. However, few studies have examined SFTS virus infection in wildlife present in the Republic of Korea (ROK). We evaluated SFTS virus infection in tissue samples from Korean water deer (Hydropotes inermis argyropus), one of the most common wild ungulates in ROK. In this study, we evaluated tissue samples of 129 water deer carcasses collected in 2017 and detected SFTS viral RNA by conventional PCR. SFTS viral RNA was found in 3 of the 129 carcasses, showing a prevalence of 2.3 %; 2 of which were collected in Gyeongsangnam-do and 1 of which was in the Gangwon-do region. Among the 6 internal organs studied, only the spleen samples were positive. Phylogenetic analysis revealed close relationships between deer- and human-derived strains. The medium segments of the three positive cases clustered with genotype B, which is the predominant genotype in ROK. In the small segment, two cases clustered with genotype B, samples 17WD044 and 17WD065. The third sample, 17WD068 from Gangwon-do province, showed genotype A, which circulates mainly in China. The disagreement in the genotypes of the two tested segments suggests a potential reassortment between genotype A and B, resulting in genetic recombination as observed in sample 17WD068, which may be co-circulating in China and Korea. Further studies in wildlife and humans are necessary to understand the genetic characteristics of SFTS viruses circulating in ROK.