Cross-species transmission of CDV

Beineke, A., Baumgärtner, W. & Wohlsein, P. 2015. Cross-species transmission of canine distemper virus-an update. One Health 1, 49–59.

Canine distemper virus (CDV) is a pantropic morbillivirus with a worldwide distribution, which causes fatal disease in dogs. Affected animals develop dyspnea, diarrhea, neurological signs and profound immunosuppression. Systemic CDV infection, resembling distemper in domestic dogs, can be found also in wild canids (e.g. wolves, foxes), procyonids (e.g. raccoons, kinkajous), ailurids (e.g. red pandas), ursids (e.g. black bears, giant pandas), mustelids (e.g. ferrets, minks), viverrids (e.g. civets, genets), hyaenids (e.g. spotted hyenas), and large felids (e.g. lions, tigers). Furthermore, besides infection with the closely related phocine distemper virus, seals can become infected by CDV. In some CDV outbreaks including the mass mortalities among Baikal and Caspian seals and large felids in the Serengeti Park, terrestrial carnivores including dogs and wolves have been suspected as vectors for the infectious agent. In addition, lethal infections have been described in non-carnivore species such as peccaries and non-human primates demonstrating the remarkable ability of the pathogen to cross species barriers. Mutations affecting the CDV H protein required for virus attachment to host-cell receptors are associated with virulence and disease emergence in novel host species. The broad and expanding host range of CDV and its maintenance within wildlife reservoir hosts considerably hampers disease eradication.

Pathogens of domestic carnivores around a National Park

Fiorello, C. V., Deem, S. L., Gompper, M. E., & Dubovi, E. J. (2004). Seroprevalence of pathogens in domestic carnivores on the border of Madidi National Park, Bolivia. Animal Conservation, 7(1), 45-54.

The importance of diseases of domestic animals in the conservation of wildlife is increasingly being recognised. Wild carnivores are susceptible to many of the pathogens carried by domestic dogs and cats and some of these pathogens have caused disease outbreaks and severe population declines in threatened species. The risk of disease spillover from domestic to wild carnivores in South America has not been extensively investigated. This study examined the disease exposure of domestic carnivores living near a protected area in Bolivia. Forty dogs and 14 cats living in three towns on the eastern border of Madidi National Park were sampled. High levels of exposure to canine distemper virus, canine parvovirus, Sarcoptes scabiei and Toxoplasma gondii were found among domestic dogs, with similarly high levels of exposure to feline parvovirus, feline calicivirus and T. gondii being found among domestic cats. If contact occurs between domestic and wild carnivores, disease spillover may represent an important risk for the persistence of wild carnivores in the region. Additional research is therefore necessary to determine if wild carnivores living in proximity to these domestic carnivore populations are being exposed to these pathogens.

Fatal canine distemper infection in a pack of African wild dogs in the Serengeti

Goller, K. V., Fyumagwa, R. D., Nikolin, V., East, M. L., Kilewo, M., Speck, S., ... & Wibbelt, G. (2010). Fatal canine distemper infection in a pack of African wild dogs in the Serengeti ecosystem, Tanzania. Veterinary microbiology, 146(3), 245-252.

In 2007, disease related mortality occurred in one African wild dog (Lycaon pictus) pack close to the north-eastern boundary of the Serengeti National Park, Tanzania. Histopathological examination of tissues from six animals revealed that the main pathologic changes comprised interstitial pneumonia and suppurative to necrotizing bronchopneumonia. Respiratory epithelial cells contained numerous eosinophilic intracytoplasmic inclusion bodies and multiple syncytial cells were found throughout the parenchymal tissue, both reacting clearly positive with antibodies against canine distemper virus (CDV) antigen. Phylogenetic analysis based on a 388 nucleotide (nt) fragment of the CDV phosphoprotein (P) gene revealed that the pack was infected with a CDV variant most closely related to Tanzanian variants, including those obtained in 1994 during a CDV epidemic in the Serengeti National Park and from captive African wild dogs in the Mkomazi Game Reserve in 2000. Phylogenetic analysis of a 335-nt fragment of the fusion (F) gene confirmed that the pack in 2007 was infected with a variant most closely related to one variant from 1994 during the epidemic in the Serengeti National Park from which a comparable fragment is available. Screening of tissue samples for concurrent infections revealed evidence of canine parvovirus, Streptococcus equi subsp. ruminatorum and Hepatozoon sp. No evidence of infection with Babesia sp. or rabies virus was found. Possible implications of concurrent infections are discussed. This is the first molecular characterisation of CDV in free-ranging African wild dogs and only the third confirmed case of fatal CDV infection in a free-ranging pack.

Occurrence of pathogens in Brazilian wild carnivores and its implications for conservation and public health

Jorge, R. S., Rocha, F. L., May-Júnior, A. J., & Morato, R. G. (2010). Ocorrência de patógenos em carnívoros selvagens brasileiros e suas implicações para a conservação e saúde pública. Oecologia Australis, 14(3), 686-710.

Several outbreaks caused by pathogens caused declines in wild carnivore populations in the last decades. In addition to the negative impact to wild populations, there is a concern about the transmission of some of these agents to humans and domestic animals. In fact, environmental alterations have resulted in changes in the pathogen-host relation. Therefore, monitoring health of wild animals is considered an important component in programs for control or eradication of diseases and in the public and animal health politics and for the management and conservation of wild species. Considering the role of mammals of the order Carnivora in the trophic chain, they might be used as “sentinels”, working as strategic targets in programs of surveillance of important pathogens for public and animal health. We review in this paper case-studies of the main pathogens that occur in wild carnivores, emphasizing species of the Brazilian fauna. We also discuss laboratorial methods used in studies of exposure of Brazilian wild carnivores to pathogens, as well as strategies to minimize the impacts in these populations caused by that exposure, and methods for controlling the occurrence of zoonotic pathogens in wild carnivores.


Diversos surtos epidêmicos causados por agentes patogênicos provocaram severo declínio em populações de carnívoros selvagens nas últimas décadas. Além deste impacto às populações silvestres, há a preocupação da transmissão de alguns destes agentes à população humana e de animais domésticos. De fato, as alterações ambientais têm provocado mudanças na relação patógeno-hospedeiro. Desta forma, o monitoramento da saúde de animais silvestres é importante componente no estabelecimento de programas de controle e erradicação de doenças e na elaboração de políticas de saúde pública e animal e de manejo e conservação de espécies selvagens. Considerando o papel dos mamíferos da ordem Carnivora na cadeia trófica, estes podem ser usados como “sentinelas”, sendo alvos estratégicos em programas de vigilância para detecção de patógenos. Neste artigo serão revisados estudos de caso dos principais patógenos que acometem carnívoros selvagens, com ênfase nas espécies da fauna brasileira. Os métodos laboratoriais utilizados nos estudos de exposição dos carnívoros brasileiros a patógenos serão discutidos e considerações sobre estratégias para minimizar seus impactos sobre a fauna silvestre, bem como os possíveis métodos para controle de patógenos causadores de zoonoses em carnívoros.

Pathogens of wild maned wolves in Brazil

Curi, N. H. D. A., Coelho, C. M., Malta, M. D. C. C., Magni, E. M. V., Sábato, M. A. L., Araújo, A. S., ... & Souza, S. L. P. D. (2012). Pathogens of wild maned wolves (Chrysocyon brachyurus) in Brazil. Journal of wildlife diseases, 48(4), 1052-1056.

The maned wolf, Chrysocyon brachyurus, is an endangered Neotropical canid that survives at low population densities. Diseases are a potential threat for its conservation but to date have been poorly studied. We performed clinical evaluations and investigated the presence of infectious diseases through serology and coprologic tests on maned wolves from Galheiro Natural Private Reserve, Perdizes City, Minas Gerais State, southeastern Brazil. Fifteen wolves were captured between 2003 and 2008. We found high prevalences of antibody to canine distemper virus (CDV; 13/14), canine
parvovirus (CPV; 4/14), canine adenovirus type 2 (13/14), canine coronavirus (5/11), canine parainfluenza virus (5/5), and Toxoplasma gondii (6/8), along with Ancylostomidae eggs in all feces
samples. Antibodies against Leishmania sp. were found in one of 10 maned wolves, and all samples were negative for Neospora caninum. Evidence of high exposure to these viral agents was also observed in unvaccinated domestic dogs from neighboring farms. High prevalence of viral agents and parasites such as CDV, CPV, and Ancylostomidae indicates that this population faces considerable risk of outbreaks and chronic debilitating parasites. This is the first report of exposure to canine parainfluenza virus in Neotropical free-ranging wild canids. Our findings highlight that canine pathogens pose a serious hazard to the viability of maned wolves and other wild carnivore populations in the area and emphasize the need for monitoring and protecting wildlife health in remaining fragments of the Cerrado biome.

Leishmania in wild and domestic canids around a Brazilian National Park

Curi, N. H. D. A., Miranda, I., & Talamoni, S. A. (2006). Serologic evidence of Leishmania infection in free-ranging wild and domestic canids around a Brazilian National Park. Memórias do Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, 101(1), 99-101.

Transmission of disease between wildlife, domestic animals, and humans is of great concern to conservation issues and public health. Here we report on the prevalence of anti-Leishmania sp. antibodies in 21 wild canids (7 Chrysocyon brachyurus, 12 Cerdocyon thous, and 2 Lycalopex vetulus) and 74 free domestic dogs (Canis familiaris) sampled around the Serra do Cipó National Park. In dogs, the apparent prevalence was 8.1% and in wild canids it was 19% (2 crab-eating foxes, C. thous, and 2 maned wolves, C. brachyurus). Management of the domestic dog population with evaluation of incidence changes in humans and wildlife, and enlightenment on the role of wild reservoirs are essential issues for future action and research.

Exposure of free-ranging maned wolves to infectious and parasitic disease agents

Deem, S. L., & Emmons, L. H. (2005). Exposure of free-ranging maned wolves (Chrysocyon brachyurus) to infectious and parasitic disease agents in the Noel Kempff Mercado National Park, Bolivia. Journal of Zoo and Wildlife Medicine, 36(2), 192-197.

Maned wolves (Chrysocyon brachyurus) are neotropic mammals, listed as a CITES Appendix II species, with a distribution south of the Amazon forest from Bolivia, through northern Argentina and Paraguay and into eastern Brazil and northern Uruguay. Primary threats to the survival of free-ranging maned wolves include habitat loss, road kills, and shooting by farmers. An additional threat to the conservation of maned wolves is the risk of morbidity and mortality due to infectious and parasitic diseases. Captive maned wolves are susceptible to, and die from, common infectious diseases of domestic dogs (Canis familiaris) including canine distemper virus (CDV), canine parvovirus (CPV), rabies virus, and canine adenovirus (CAV). Results from this study show that free-ranging maned wolves in a remote area of Bolivia have been exposed to multiple infectious and parasitic agents of domestic carnivores, including CAV, CDV, CPV, canine coronavirus, rabies virus, Leptospira interrogans spp., Toxoplasma gondii, and Dirofilaria immitis, and may be at increased risk for disease due to these agents.

A CDV epidemic in Serengeti

Roelke-Parker, M. E., Munson, L., Packer, C., Kock, R., Cleaveland, S., Carpenter, M., ... & Mwamengele, G. L. (1996). A canine distemper virus epidemic in Serengeti lions (Panthera leo). Nature, 379(6564), 441-445.

CANINE distemper virus (CDV) is thought to have caused several fatal epidemics in canids within the Serengeti–Mara ecosystem of East Africa, affecting silver-backed jackals (Canis mesomelas) and bat-eared foxes (Otocyon megalotis) in 1978 (ref. 1), and African wild dogs (Lycaon pictus) in 1991 (refs 2, 3). The large, closely monitored Serengeti lion population4,5 was not affected in these epidemics. However, an epidemic caused by a morbillivirus closely related to CDV emerged abruptly in the lion population of the Serengeti National Park, Tanzania, in early 1994, resulting in fatal neurological disease characterized by grand mal seizures and myoclonus; the lions that died had encephalitis and pneumonia. Here we report the identification of CDV from these lions, and the close phylogenetic relationship between CDV isolates from lions and domestic dogs. By August 1994, 85% of the Serengeti lion population had anti-CDV antibodies, and the epidemic spread north to lions in the Maasai Mara National reserve, Kenya, and uncounted hyaenas, bat-eared foxes, and leopards were also affected.

Exposure of wild carnivores to Leptospira

Jorge, R. S. P., Ferreira, F., Ferreira Neto, J. S., Vasconcellos, S. D. A., Lima, E. D. S., Morais, Z. M. D., & Souza, G. O. D. (2011). Exposure of free-ranging wild carnivores, horses and domestic dogs to Leptospira spp in the northern Pantanal, Brazil. Memórias do Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, 106(4), 441-444.

Leptospirosis is a zoonotic disease affecting most mammals and is distributed throughout the world. Several species of domestic and wild animals may act as reservoirs for this disease. The purpose of this study was to assess the exposure of free-ranging wild carnivores, horses and domestic dogs on a private reserve located in the northern Pantanal (Brazil) and the surrounding areas to Leptospira spp from 2002-2006, 75 free-ranging wild carnivores were captured in the Pantanal and serum samples were collected. In addition, samples from 103 domestic dogs and 23 horses in the region were collected. Serum samples were tested for the presence of Leptospira antibodies using the microscopic agglutination test. Thirty-two wild carnivores (42.7%) were considered positive with titres > 100, and 18 domestic dogs (17.5%) and 20 horses (74.1%) were also found to be positive. Our study showed that horses, dogs and several species of free-ranging wild carnivores have been exposed to Leptospira spp in the Pantanal, suggesting that the peculiar characteristics of this biome, such as high temperatures and an extended period of flooding, may favour bacterial persistence and transmission. In this region, wild carnivores and horses seem to be important hosts for the epidemiology of Leptospira species.

Evidence for domestic dogs as a source of canine distemper virus infection for Serengeti wildlife

Cleaveland, S., Appel, M. G. J., Chalmers, W. S. K., Chillingworth, C., Kaare, M., & Dye, C. (2000). Serological and demographic evidence for domestic dogs as a source of canine distemper virus infection for Serengeti wildlife. Veterinary microbiology, 72(3), 217-227.

Following an epidemic of canine distemper virus (CDV) in Serengeti lions in 1994, the role of domestic dogs in the epidemiology of the disease was investigated by serological and demographic analyses. From 1992 to 1994, data were collected from two domestic dog populations bordering the Serengeti National Park. Several lines of evidence indicated that patterns of CDV infection differed significantly between higher-density dog populations of Serengeti District to the west of the park and lower-density populations of Ngorongoro District to the south-east: (a) CDV age-seroprevalence patterns differed significantly between years in Ngorongoro District populations but not in Serengeti District populations; (b) CDV seropositive pups (<12 months of age) were detected in Ngorongoro District only in 1994, whereas a proportion of pups in Serengeti District were seropositive in each year of the study; (c) in Ngorongoro District, the proportion of deaths attributed to disease was significantly higher in 1994 than in 1993, whereas in Serengeti District, there was no significant difference in disease-related mortality between years; (d) in Ngorongoro District, significantly more CDV seronegative dogs than seropositive dogs died in 1994, whereas there was no difference in survival of CDV seropositives and seronegatives between years in Serengeti District. We concluded that, between 1992 and 1994, CDV persisted in higher-density dog populations of Serengeti District, but occurred only sporadically in lower-density Ngorongoro District populations. Data from Ngorongoro District are consistent with exposure of dogs to CDV in 1991 and 1994, but not in 1992 and 1993. These findings suggest that higher-density domestic dog populations to the west of the Serengeti National Park were a more likely source of CDV infection for wildlife during 1994 than lower-density pastoralist dogs to the south and east of the park.

Canine distemper in endangered Ethiopian wolves

Gordon, C. H., Banyard, A. C., Hussein, A., Laurenson, M. K., Malcolm, J. R., Marino, J., ... & Sillero-Zubiri, C. (2015). Canine distemper in endangered Ethiopian wolves. Emerging infectious diseases, 21(5), 824.

The Ethiopian wolf (Canis simensis) is the world’s rarest canid; ≈500 wolves remain. The largest population is found within the Bale Mountains National Park (BMNP) in southeastern Ethiopia, where conservation efforts have demonstrated the negative effect of rabies virus on wolf populations. We describe previously unreported infections with canine distemper virus (CDV) among these wolves during 2005–2006 and 2010. Death rates ranged from 43% to 68% in affected subpopulations and were higher for subadult than adult wolves (83%–87% vs. 34%–39%). The 2010 CDV outbreak started 20 months after a rabies outbreak, before the population had fully recovered, and led to the eradication of several focal packs in BMNP’s Web Valley. The combined effect of rabies and CDV increases the chance of pack extinction, exacerbating the typically slow recovery of wolf populations, and represents a key extinction threat to populations of this highly endangered carnivore.

Adult and subadult Ethiopian wolf population in Sanetti Plateau, Ethiopia, 2002–2013. Dots indicate wolf population estimates at different time points; arrows indicate canine distemper virus outbreaks in this study.

Density of adult and subadult Ethiopian wolf population in Web Valley, Ethiopia, 2002–2013. Dots indicate wolf population estimates at different time points; arrows indicate known rabies epizootics and canine distemper virus outbreaks in this study. Of 7 wolf packs in Web Valley, 4 went extinct after the 2010 canine distemper virus outbreak; in 2011, two new packs formed in the area.

Toxoplasmosis in sea lions in NZ

Michael, S. A., Howe, L., Chilvers, B. L., Morel, P. C. H., & Roe, W. D. (2016). Seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii in mainland and sub-Antarctic New Zealand sea lion (Phocarctos hookeri) populations. New Zealand Veterinary Journal, (just-accepted), 1-14.

AIMS: To investigate the seroprevalence to Toxoplasma gondii in New Zealand sea lions (Phocarctos hookeri), as a potential contributor to reproductive failure.
METHODS: Archived sera were sourced from New Zealand sea lions from two recolonising mainland populations in the Otago Peninsula (n=15) and Stewart Island (n=12), as well as a declining population at Enderby Island (n=28) in the New Zealand sub-Antarctic. Sera were tested for antibodies to T. gondii using a commercially available ELISA (with samples considered positive if the sample to positive ratio was >30%), and latex agglutination test (LAT; with titres ≥1:32 considered positive). Western blot analysis was used to validate the results of a subset of 14 samples.
RESULTS: Five samples from sea lions in mainland locations were confirmed positive for antibodies to T. gondii. Two adult females exhibited high LAT antibody titres (min 1:2048, max 1:4096) on both occasions when sampled 1 and 2 years apart, respectively. No animals from Enderby Island were seropositive.
CONCLUSIONS: Toxoplasma gondii infection is unlikely to be a major contributor to poor reproductive success in New Zealand sea lions. However, continued surveillance is pertinent to assess subclinical and clinical impacts of the parasite on these threatened populations. The commercial tests evaluated here, with further species-specific threshold refinement could provide a fast, inexpensive and reliable indicator of T. gondii exposure in New Zealand sea lions.

Canine pathogens among wolves from the Alaska peninsula

Watts, D. E., & Benson, A. M. (2016). Prevalence of antibodies for selected canine pathogens among wolves from the Alaska peninsula, USA. Journal of Wildlife Diseases.

We collected blood samples from wolves (Canis lupus) on the Alaska Peninsula, southwest Alaska, USA, 2006–2011 and tested sera for antibodies to canine adenovirus (CAV), canine coronavirus (CCV), canine distemper virus (CDV), canine herpesvirus (CHV), canine parainfluenza (CPI), canine parvovirus (CPV), Neospora caninum, and Toxoplasma gondii. Detected antibody prevalence was 90% for CAV, 28% for CCV, 12% for CDV, 93% for CHV, 0% for CPI, 20% for CPV, and 86% for T. gondii. Prevalence of CCV antibodies suggested a seasonal pattern with higher prevalence during spring (43%) than in fall (11%). Prevalence of CCV antibodies also declined during the 6-yr study with high prevalence during Spring 2006–2008 (80%, n=24) and low prevalence during Spring 2009–2011 (4%, n=24). Prevalence of N. caninum and T. gondii antibodies were highly variable in the study area during 2006–2011. Results suggested that some pathogens might be enzootic on the Alaska Peninsula (e.g., CAV and CHV) while others may be epizootic (e.g., CCV, N. caninum, T. gondii).

Epizootic of toxoplasmosis in several marsupials in Zoo

Patton, S., Johnson, S. L., Loeffler, D. G., Wright, B. G., & Jensen, J. M. (1986). Epizootic of toxoplasmosis in kangaroos, wallabies, and potaroos: possible transmission via domestic cats. Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, 189(9), 1166-1169.

Between July 28 and August 6 1984, adult marsupials kept at the Knoxville Zoo, USA, including 5 Potorous tridactylus, 3 Wallabia eugenii, 3 Macropus giganteus and 2 M. rufus, became lethargic, developed respiratory distress and died. Acute interstitial pneumonia was seen at necropsy in all 13 animals and multifocal granulomatous necrotizing hepatitis in 10; intracellular and free T. gondii tachyzoites were seen in both organs. Parasites were also found in gastrointestinal lesions and in the cells of the muscular tunica. Foci of necrosis and inflammation were seen in other viscera. One animal had T. gondii tachyzoites in the eye. Of the 3 animals from which blood was collected, 2 adult kangaroos were positive in the IHAT for T. gondii antibodies. All 12 mice inoculated with solutions from infected organs died 2 to 14 days later and T. gondii were seen in their liver and lung tissue smears and in the ascitic fluid of 4 mice. 8 of 11 surviving marsupials were seropositive; 2 animals had increasing titres during the 8 weeks of the epizootic. Blood and faeces of exotic cats kept near the marsupials were also investigated; only one Asian lion was found seropositive. Faecal oocysts were not found. 2 of 8 cats trapped in the zoo, but none of the 4 oppossums, were seropositive. One of the seronegative cats was shedding oocysts at the time of capture.

Pathogen exposure varies widely among sympatric populations of wild and domestic felids

Carver, S., Bevins, S. N., Lappin, M. R., Boydston, E. E., Lyren, L. M., Alldredge, M. W., Logan K.A., Sweanor, L.L., Riley, S.P.D., Klein Serieys, L.E., Fisher, R.N., Vickers,T.W., Boyce, W.M., McBride, R., Cunningham, M.C., Jennings, M., Lewis, J.S., Lunn, T. Crooks, K.R. & VandeWoude, S. (2015). Pathogen exposure varies widely among sympatric populations of wild and domestic felids across the United States. Ecological Applications.
Understanding how landscape, host, and pathogen traits contribute to disease exposure requires systematic evaluations of pathogens within and among host species and geographic regions. The relative importance of these attributes is critical for management of wildlife and mitigating domestic animal and human disease, particularly given rapid ecological changes, such as urbanization. We screened >1,000 samples from sympatric populations of puma (Puma concolor), bobcat (Lynx rufus) and domestic cat (Felis catus) across urban gradients in six sites, representing three regions, in North America for exposure to a representative suite of bacterial, protozoal and viral pathogens (Bartonella sp., Toxoplasma gondii, feline herpesvirus-1, feline panleukopenea virus, feline calicivirus, feline immunodeficiency virus). We evaluated prevalence within each species, and examined host trait and land cover determinants of exposure-providing an unprecedented analysis of factors relating to potential for infections in domesticated and wild felids. Prevalence differed among host species (highest for puma and lowest for domestic cat) and was greater for indirectly transmitted pathogens. Sex was inconsistently predictive of exposure to directly transmitted pathogens only, and age infrequently predictive of both direct and indirectly transmitted pathogens. Determinants of pathogen exposure were widely divergent between the wild felid species. For puma, suburban landuse predicted increased exposure to Bartonella sp. in southern California, and FHV-1 exposure increased near urban edges in Florida. This may suggest inter-specific transmission with domestic cats via flea vectors (California) and direct contact (Florida) around urban boundaries. Bobcats captured near urban areas had increased exposure to T. gondii in Florida, suggesting an urban source of prey. Bobcats captured near urban areas in Colorado and Florida had higher FIV exposure, possibly suggesting increased intra-specific interactions through pile-up of home ranges. Beyond these regional and pathogen specific relationships, proximity to the wildland urban interface did not generally increase the probability of disease exposure in wild or domestic felids, emphasizing the importance of local ecological determinants. Indeed, pathogen exposure was often negatively associated with the wildland urban interface for all felids. Our analyses suggest cross-species pathogen transmission events around this interface may be infrequent, but followed by self-sustaining propagation within the new host species.

Epidemiology of FeLV and FIV in USA and Canada

Chhetri, B. (2015). Spatial and temporal epidemiology of feline immunodeficiency virus and feline leukemia virus infections in the United States and Canada (Doctoral dissertation, The University of Guelph).

This thesis investigates the geographical and temporal variations in feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) and feline leukemia virus (FeLV) infections, and the importance of known risk factors for these infections relative to each other in the United States and Canada. In addition, the effect of the modifiable areal unit problem (MAUP) on commonly used spatial analysis methods was assessed.
Choropleth mapping and spatial scan testing revealed that compared to FIV, FeLV infection was predominant in western regions, and FIV infection was predominant in eastern regions of the US. A multilevel case-case study design for comparison of FIV and FeLV infections indicated that cats that were adult, male, healthy, or outdoor cats were more likely to be seropositive for FIV compared to FeLV when compared to juvenile, female, sick or cats kept exclusively indoors. Neuter status and testing at clinic or shelter did not differ significantly between the two infections. Time series analysis did not reveal an increasing or decreasing trend in FIV or FeLV seropositivity among cats tested at the Animal Health Laboratory (AHL) from 1999-2012. Further, the FIV vaccine introduction did not have a significant effect on changing seroprevalence for FIV. It was evident from this study that commonly used spatial epidemiological methods (Moran's I, the spatial scan test and spatial Poisson regression modeling) are sensitive to the choice of the spatial aggregation scale (state, county, postal code levels) for analysis, (i.e., are affected by the MAUP). The MAUP effect was expressed as differences in strength and significance of clustering, differences in size and number of clusters detected, and differences in significance and magnitude of associations between FIV or FeLV infections and predictor variables as the level of aggregation changed.

Prevalence of parasites in indoor and outdoor cats on St. Kitts

Ketzis, J. K., Shell, L., Chinault, S., Pemberton, C., & Pereira, M. M. (2015). The prevalence of Trichuris spp. infection in indoor and outdoor cats on St. Kitts. The Journal of Infection in Developing Countries, 9(01), 111-113.

Introduction: The present study was conducted to evaluate the prevalence of Trichuris spp. and other intestinal parasitic infections in owned cats on St. Kitts.
Methodology: The feces of 41 non-feral cats (23 indoor only; 18 indoor/outdoor) were examined for the presence of Trichuris spp. eggs.
Results: Nine (22%) of the cats were positive for Trichuris spp. Prevalence of trichuriasis in indoor cats was 26.0% as compared to 16.7% in outdoor cats. Other parasites identified included Ancylostoma spp. (10%; 4 cats), Toxocara cati (2%; 1 cat), Platynosomum spp. (22%; 9 cats), Mammomonogamus spp. (2%; 1 cat) and coccidia (7%; 3 cats).
Conclusion: On St. Kitts, indoor cats are as likely to have parasite infections as outdoor cats. Given the zoonotic potential of some of the identified parasites, periodical anthelmintic treatment should be provided to both indoor and outdoor cats.

Parasites in stray and owned dogs in Algiers

Naouelle, A., Petit, E., Gandoin, C., Bouillin, C., Ghalmi, F., Haddad, N., & Boulouis, H. J. (2015). Prevalence of select vector-borne pathogens in stray and client-owned dogs from Algiers. Comparative Immunology, Microbiology and Infectious Diseases.

Data on the prevalence of vector-borne diseases agents infecting canines in Algeria is currently lacking. The purpose of this study is to assess by serological and molecular methods the prevalence of select arthropod borne-bacterial infections in client-owned and stray dogs. Antibodies to Anaplasma phagocytophilum were the most prevalent at 47.7%, followed by Borrelia burgdorferi s.l. at 37.6%, Ehrlichia canis at 30.0%, Bartonella henselae at 32.4% and Bartonella vinsonii subsp. berkhoffii at 27%. Seroprevalence was statistically significantly higher in stray dogs than those owned by clients. Seropositivity was not associated with health status, except for Ehrlichia canis. Molecular evaluation indicates that 17.8% of the 213 analysed dogs were positive for Ehrlichia and Anaplasma with a prevalence of 4.2% for Ehrlichia canis, 14.1% for Anaplama platys and 0% for A. phagocytophilum. Seven (7.1%) of the tested dogs were positive for Bartonella spp. with two characterized as Bartonella rochalimae, four as B. henselae and one as B. v. subsp. berkhoffii.

Garbage dumps and rabies in Cameroon

Raymond, T. N., Roland, M. E., Francoise, K. F. M., Francis, Z., Livo, E. F., & Clovis, S. T. (2015). Do open garbage dumps play a role in canine rabies transmission in Biyem-Assi health district in Cameroon?. Infection Ecology & Epidemiology, 5.

Background: Rabies is a neglected enzootic disease which represents a serious public health problem. In Cameroon, efforts to prevent human deaths caused by rabies are often thwarted by the lack of community awareness. The community knowledge, as well as attitudes and perception on rabies, is therefore important for both prevention of human deaths and control in animals.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out to evaluate the level of community knowledge as well as the role of open garbage dumps (OGDs) in the epidemiology of human rabies. Overall 420 heads of household were interviewed in the Biyem-Assi health district of Yaoundé. OGDs were identified through a systematic check, and household wastes they contained were characterized.

Results: Although 66.9% of respondents have knowledge on stray dogs, only 35% of respondents knew the role of OGDs in the increase of stray dog population. Overall OGDs consisted of fermentable wastes. Nutrition places for stray dogs were wild garbage dumps (68.1%), markets (18.3%), and houses (13.6%). The feeding behavior of stray dogs correlated significantly with the human rabies transmission (χ²=154.12, df=4, p<0.05).

Conclusion: Most participants knew that rabies could be transmitted by a dog bite as well as the measures to be taken in this type of situation. Increased knowledge of respondents on rabies showed OGDs and stray dogs as significant risk factors for canine rabies in Biyem-Assi health district.

Feral cat virus infection prevalence, survival, population density, and multi-scale habitat use in an exurban landscape

Normand, C. M. (2014). Feral cat virus infection prevalence, survival, population density, and multi-scale habitat use in an exurban landscape (Doctoral dissertation, ARKANSAS TECH UNIVERSITY).

Domestic cats (Felis catus) are ubiquitous in natural and anthropogenically modified ecosystems and they negatively impact their environments. Prior research into feral cat ecology in the U.S. has focused primarily on feline leukemia virus (FeLV) and feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) prevalence, spatial organization, and home ranges of cats in urban and rural areas, but information concerning habitat use or exurban feral cat populations is sparse. The purpose of my research is to investigate feral cat virus infection prevalence; survival; population density; and macro- and microhabitat use in exurban Russellville, Arkansas. During October 2012 – August 2013, I captured 93 feral cats and collected blood from each individual for FeLV/FIV testing. I also fit mortality sensing radiocollars on 29 adult cats and conducted radiotelemetry over 65 weeks to determine survival, home range sizes, and to identify summer daytime resting sites (DRSs). I used multivariate analyses to determine 2nd, 3rd, and 4th order habitat use. The combined FeLV and FIV prevalence was 29.02% and I estimated annual feral cat survival as 0.99 with male cats having a greater survival rate than females. In general, annual home range areas (15.17 - 19.76ha) were larger than warm season (9.03 - 15.33ha), but not different from cold season ranges (11.09 - 23.91ha). Home ranges were larger than core areas (2.97 - 5.09ha) for all seasons. Male cat home ranges (22.14 - 29.17ha) were larger than female ranges (9.60 - 12.26ha), but virus status and body condition score did not influence range sizes. Feral cat population density within Russellville was 0.10cats/ha. Second and 3rd order habitat use analyses indicated feral cats used open-low and medium-high intensity development disproportionately to land cover availability and 4 th order analysis identified thick vegetation within these land cover types as the most frequently used DRSs. Although feral cat population density is relatively low, high virus infection prevalence, high annual survival, and large home ranges imply cats have the potential for substantial influence on the community. These results suggest that the city of Russellville would benefit from the development of a feral cat management plan, which would require long-term, intensive efforts