Transmission of T. gondii in an urban population of domestic cats

Afonso, E., Thulliez, P., & Gilot-Fromont, E. (2006). Transmission of Toxoplasma gondii in an urban population of domestic cats (Felis catus). International journal for parasitology, 36(13), 1373-1382.

Toxoplasma gondii is a protozoan parasite that infects humans and animal species worldwide. The relative importance of each potential transmission route in the complex life cycle of this coccidia is largely unknown, due to the lack of studies taking into account all routes simultaneously. In this study, we analyzed the transmission of T. gondii in an urban population of stray cats captured between 1993 and 2004. Analyzing prevalence, our aim was to determine which factors influence transmission in this population. Specific anti-T. gondii IgG antibodies were detected using the modified agglutination test. Firstly, we analyzed the kinetics of antibody titers in cats captured several times, using mixed linear models and correspondence analysis. We showed that antibody titers did not vary significantly with time and that titer 40 was the best threshold to separate individuals into two serological groups. Overall, prevalence was only 18.6%, thus transmission of T. gondii is infrequent in this population. As expected, a highly significant association was detected between age and presence of IgG antibodies. Prevalence was lowest in kittens aged 3–4 months, suggesting that newborn kittens may carry maternal antibodies and that vertical transmission is rare. After taking into account the effect of age, logistic regression showed that antibody carriage was related to factors that possibly related to the survival of oocysts: localization in the study site, origin of the cats, maximal temperatures and rain. Our results suggest that in this population, vertical transmission is rare, low predation limits prevalence, and oocyst survival is a determining factor in the risk of infection. We discuss the more general importance of conditions determining oocyst survival in the life cycle of T. gondii.

Cat defecation behaviour and soil contamination by Toxoplasma gondii

Afonso, E., Lemoine, M., Poulle, M. L., Ravat, M. C., Romand, S., Thulliez, P., Villena, I., Aubert, D., Rabilloud, M., Riche, B. & Gilot-Fromont, E. (2008). Spatial distribution of soil contamination by Toxoplasma gondii in relation to cat defecation behaviour in an urban area. International journal for parasitology, 38(8), 1017-1023.

In urban areas, there may be a high local risk of zoonosis due to high densities of stray cat populations. In this study, soil contamination by oocysts of Toxoplasma gondii was searched for, and its spatial distribution was analysed in relation to defecation behaviour of cats living in a high-density population present in one area of Lyon (France). Sixteen defecation sites were first identified. Cats were then repeatedly fed with marked food and the marked faeces were searched for in the defecation sites. Of 260 markers, 72 were recovered from 24 different cats. Defecation sites were frequented by up to 15 individuals. Soil samples were also examined in order to detect the presence of T. gondii using real-time PCR. The entire study area was then sampled according to cat density and vegetation cover type. Only three of 55 samples were positive and all came from defecation sites. In a second series of observations, 16 defecation sites were sampled. Eight of 62 samples tested positive, originating in five defecation sites. Laboratory experiments using experimental seeding of soil showed that the inoculated dose that can be detected in 50% of assays equals 100–1000 oocysts/g, depending on the strain. This study shows that high concentrations of oocysts can be detected in soil samples using molecular methods and suggests that spatial distribution of contamination areas is highly heterogeneous. Positive samples were only found in some of the defecation sites, signifying that at-risk points for human and animal infection may be very localised.

Cats and habitat fragmentation affecting distribution of small mammals

Baker, P. J., Ansell, R. J., Dodds, P. A., Webber, C. E., & Harris, S. (2003). Factors affecting the distribution of small mammals in an urban area. Mammal review, 33(1), 95-100.


We investigated the distribution of a range of small mammal species in five urban habitats in north-west Bristol: residential gardens, woodlands, allotment gardens, scrub and a cemetery. Wood mouse Apodemus sylvaticus abundance in residential gardens was negatively related to the abundance of cats and the distance to the nearest patch of natural or seminatural vegetation. These results suggest that urban small mammal populations may be limited by predation and habitat fragmentation, although the effects of the latter may be offset by the availability of good quality gardens

All dogs are a threat to kiwi

from www.doc.govt.nz

Threats to Northland brown kiwi

Kowhai, a dead Northland brown kiwi

Northland’s very own Northland brown kiwi live around the region—for some of us, they’re right next door. This is fantastic! But it’s only part of the story. In other parts of New Zealand, kiwi live to be 40–65 years old. In Northland the average age is just 14.

The greatest cause of kiwi deaths in Northland is dogs

Luckily, this issue is easily solved, as people are the key. What you do, whether you own a dog or not, will make a difference.

Not my dog? Ma te kuri ka mate te kiwi

DOC Whangarei kiwi rangers Pete

Graham and Sue Bell with the many

kiwi killed by dogs

All dogs, regardless of training, size, breed and temperament, are a threat to kiwi.
Farm dogs, hunting dogs, visiting dogs and pets are equally attracted to kiwi. They may not mean to kill them, but kiwi are extremely easily crushed by a dog. Kiwi don’t have a sternum (breastbone), so their rib cage is very vulnerable. A dog can kill a kiwi by picking it up gently in its mouth, or by giving it a playful push with its muzzle. A dog that has never killed anything before and has shown no sign of aggression is quite capable of killing a kiwi.

Kiwi are chased because they smell fantastic to dogs—and because kiwi run away from the threat. They become an ideal target for any dog. And what might start as one accidental encounter can quickly become a habit.

The only way to avoid dogs killing kiwi is to stop kiwi and dogs meeting.

This means all dogs, wherever they are from and whoever they belong to, including dogs trained to avoid kiwi or other birds.

Where our kiwi live

Northland brown kiwi live in some surprising places! While they prefer damp gullies in native forest and dense shrubland, they are also found in plantation forest, rough pasture, around wetlands, and in shrubland with lots of gorse or blackberry.

The birds generally have multiple daytime shelters comprising burrows, fallen nīkau fronds, hollow logs, tight vegetation and slash from land-clearing or forest harvest. They will also roost on the edge of roads or bush and can be found running along or across roads at night, and through properties and sections. One of these could be your property, or your neighbour’s!

How to help our kiwi

As a dog owner/minder you need to ensure dogs are:

• Contained on your property, so there is no chance of them wandering.
• On a lead when walking.
• Permitted when hunting.
• Bird aversion trained, wherever possible.

Dogs should also be:

• Registered with the local district council.
• Neutered if you don’t intend to breed from them. Unwanted dogs should go to new homes where they will be well cared for and controlled, or taken to the SPCA.

Each year, hundreds of Northland dogs are trained to avoid kiwi, should they meet them. Although this training cannot guarantee a dog won’t harm kiwi, it makes a big difference for many dogs and helps owners and minders understand dogs’ behaviour around birds.

The dogs that benefit the most from aversion training are farm and hunting dogs that are required to work in or around kiwi habitat. If you’re a hunter using dogs, you’ll need a certificate showing that your dog has been on a bird aversion training course in order to get a hunting permit in or around kiwi areas. Contact your nearest Department of Conservation office for information about aversion training opportunities.

But I don’t have a dog

Reporting wandering dogs or dogs that seem to roam or be ‘running loose’ is critical, especially in, around and near areas where kiwi live. Report the dog as quickly as possible and provide a good description of it.

Feral cats on Stewart Island and their effects on kakapo

Karl, B. J., & Best, H. A. (1982). Feral cats on Stewart Island; their foods, and their effects on kakapo. New Zealand journal of zoology, 9(2), 287-293.

Kakapo

The foods of feral house cats (Felis catus) on Stewart Island were determined by examining 229 scats collected during surveys of the distribution and numbers of kakapo (Strigops habroptilus), an endangered ground-parrot species. Rats occurred in 93% of the scats, birds in 44. 1%, wetas (large orthopterans) in 26.2%, and lizards in 24.0%. Twelve (70.6%) of the 17 species of birdswere native. Kakapo remains were found in 6 (5.1%) of the 118 scats collected from areas where kakapo have been recorded.

An evaluation of the biological control of the feral cat

Howell, P.G. 1984. An evaluation of the biological control of the feral cat Felis catus (Linnaeus, 1758). Acta Zoologica Fennica, 172: 111-113.

Conditions in the population of feral cats on Marion Island, to the southeast of South Africa, approached the optimal for the release of a feline parvovirus for biological control. The introduction of feline panleucopenia virus into the population in 1977 is described, together with the methods used to monitor the effect of the virus. Studies on population density showed a conservatively estimated reduction of 80% over the following 5 years.

Black wolves in Italy

Apollonio, M., Mattioli, L., & Scandura, M. (2004). Occurrence of black wolves in the Northern Apennines, Italy. Acta theriologica, 49(2), 281-285.

The occurrence of black-coated individuals in wolf Canis lupus Linnaeus, 1758 populations is not surprising itself, but their presence in populations recovering from a severe numerical decline has been considered a possible sign of crossbreeding with the domestic dog. In the northern Apennines (Italy), black wolves occur at a non-negligible frequency. In a 3300 km² area, 22% of wolves observed and 23% of all dead wolves found were represented by animals with a completely black coat. One ‘black’ wolf belonging to the studied population was analysed by a set of microsatellite loci, and no trace of hybridization was found in its ancestry. This result induced us to consider the occurrence of a black phenotype in this area possibly derived from a natural combination of wolf alleles in coat colour determining genes, and not necessarily as the result of crossbreeding with the domestic form.


Read more about canine hybidisation and gene introgression

Introgressive hybridization between dogs and wolves in Italy

Verardi, A., Lucchini, V., & Randi, E. (2006). Detecting introgressive hybridization between free‐ranging domestic dogs and wild wolves (Canis lupus) by admixture linkage disequilibrium analysis. Molecular Ecology, 15(10), 2845-2855.

Occasional crossbreeding between free-ranging domestic dogs and wild wolves (Canis lupus) has been detected in some European countries by mitochondrial DNA sequencing and genotyping unlinked microsatellite loci. Maternal and unlinked genomic markers, however, might underestimate the extent of introgressive hybridization, and their impacts on the preservation of wild wolf gene pools. In this study, we genotyped 220 presumed Italian wolves, 85 dogs and 7 known hybrids at 16 microsatellites belonging to four different linkage groups (plus four unlinked microsatellites). Population clustering and individual assignments were performed using a Bayesian procedure implemented in structure 2.1, which models the gametic disequilibrium arising between linked loci during admixtures, aiming to trace hybridization events further back in time and infer the population of origin of chromosomal blocks. Results indicate that (i) linkage disequilibrium was higher in wolves than in dogs; (ii) 11 out of 220 wolves (5.0%) were likely admixed, a proportion that is significantly higher than one admixed genotype in 107 wolves found previously in a study using unlinked markers; (iii) posterior maximum-likelihood estimates of the recombination parameter r revealed that introgression in Italian wolves is not recent, but could have continued for the last 70 (± 20) generations, corresponding to approximately 140–210 years. Bayesian clustering showed that, despite some admixture, wolf and dog gene pools remain sharply distinct (the average proportions of membership to wolf and dog clusters were Qw = 0.95 andQd = 0.98, respectively), suggesting that hybridization was not frequent, and that introgression in nature is counteracted by behavioural or selective constraints.


Read more about canine hybidisation and gene introgression

Mesopredator release and toxoplasmosis

Hollings, T., Jones, M., Mooney, N., & McCallum, H. (2013). Wildlife disease ecology in changing landscapes: Mesopredator release and toxoplasmosis.International Journal for Parasitology: Parasites and Wildlife, 2, 110-118.

Changing ecosystem dynamics are increasing the threat of disease epidemics arising in wildlife populations. Several recent disease outbreaks have highlighted the critical need for understanding pathogen dynamics, including the role host densities play in disease transmission. In Australia, introduced feral cats are of immense concern because of the risk they pose to native wildlife through predation and competition. They are also the only known definitive host of the coccidian parasite, Toxoplasma gondii, the population-level impacts of which are unknown in any species. Australia’s native wildlife have not evolved in the presence of cats or their parasites, and feral cats may be linked with several native mammal declines and extinctions. In Tasmania there is emerging evidence that feral cat populations are increasing following wide-ranging and extensive declines in the apex predator, the Tasmanian devil, from a consistently fatal transmissible cancer.

We assess whether feral cat density is associated with the seroprevalence of T. gondii in native wildlife to determine whether an increasing population of feral cats may correspond to an increased level of risk to naive native intermediate hosts. We found evidence that seroprevalence of T. gondii in Tasmanian pademelons was lower in the north-west of Tasmania than in the north-east and central regions where cat density was higher. Also, samples obtained from road-killed animals had significantly higher seroprevalence of T. gondii than those from culled individuals, suggesting there may be behavioural differences associated with infection. In addition, seroprevalence in different trophic levels was assessed to determine whether position in the food-web influences exposure risk. Higher order carnivores had significantly higher seroprevalence than medium-sized browser species. The highest seroprevalence observed in an intermediate host was 71% in spotted-tailed quolls (Dasyurus maculatus), the largest mammalian mesopredator, in areas of low cat density. Mesopredator release of cats may be a significant issue for native species conservation, potentially affecting the population viability of many endangered species.

Bird predation by domestic cats on Hahajima Is.

Kawakami, K., & Higuchi, H. (2002). Bird predation by domestic cats on Hahajima Island, Bonin Islands, Japan. Ornithological Science, 1(2), 143-144.

Authors urge to eradicate feral cats on Hahajima due to their impact on common and rare species of birds.

Reducing feral cat threats to native wildlife in Hawai`i

Hess, S. C., H. Hansen, and P. C. Banko. 2007. Reducing feral cat threats to native wildlife in Hawai`i. Hawai`i Cooperative Studies Unit Technical Report HCSU-010. University of Hawai`i at Hilo. 102 pp., incl. 14 figures, & 19 tables.

We documented the diet of feral cats (Felis catus) on Kīlauea and Mauna Loa within Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park (HAVO), determined the incidence of three feline diseases on Mauna Kea, studied feral cat home range, developed and tested trap-signaling devices, tested food-based baits and attractants, analyzed feral cat population dynamics using genetic techniques, and developed an adaptive strategy for reducing predation on endangered Hawaiian birds.

We documented the diet of feral cats by analyzing the contents of 42 digestive tracts from Kīlauea and Mauna Loa in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. Small mammals, invertebrates, and birds were the most common prey types consumed by feral cats. Birds occurred in 27.8–29.2% of digestive tracts. The total number of bird, small mammal, and invertebrate prey differed between Kīlauea and Mauna Loa. On Mauna Loa, significantly more (89%) feral cats consumed small mammals, primarily rodents, than on Kīlauea Volcano (50%). Mice (Mus musculus) were the major component of the feral cat diet on Mauna Loa, whereas Orthoptera were the major component of the diet on Kīlauea. We recovered a mandible set, feathers, and bones of an endangered Hawaiian Petrel (Pterodroma sandwichensis) from a digestive tract from Mauna Loa. This specimen represents the first well-documented endangered seabird to be recovered from the digestive tract of a feral cat in Hawai`i and suggests that feral cats prey on this species.

We determined prevalence to feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) antibodies, feline leukemia virus (FeLV) antigen, and Toxoplasma gondii antibodies in feral cats on Mauna Kea Hawai`i from April 2002 to May 2004. Six of 68 (8.8%) and 11/68 (16.2%) were antibody positive to FIV and antigen positive for FeLV, respectively; 25/67 (37.3%) were seropositive to T. gondii. Antibodies to FeLV and T. gondii occurred in all age and sex classes, but FIV occurred only in adult males. Evidence of previous or current infections with two of these infectious agents was detected in eight of 64 cats (12.5%). Despite exposure to these infectious agents, feral cats remain abundant throughout the Hawaiian Islands.

Feral cats in dry subalpine woodland of Mauna Kea, Hawai`i, live in low density and exhibit some of the largest reported home ranges in the literature. While 95% fixed kernel home range estimates for three females averaged 772 ha, four males averaged 1,418 ha, and one male maintained a home range of 2,050 ha. Mean daily movement rates between sexes overlapped widely and did not differ significantly (P = 0.083). Log-transformed 95% kernel home ranges for males were significantly larger than those of females (P = 0.024), but 25% kernel home ranges for females were larger than those of males (P = 0.017). Moreover, logtransformed home ranges of males were also significantly larger than those of females in this and seven other studies from the Pacific region (P = 0.044). Feral cats present a major threat to endangered Hawaiian birds, but knowledge of their ecology can be used for management by optimizing trap spacing and creating buffer zones around conservation areas.

Frequent checks of live traps require enormous amounts of labor and add human scents associated with repeated monitoring which may reduce capture efficiency. To reduce efforts and increase efficiency, we developed a trap-signaling device with long-distance reception, durability in adverse weather, and ease of transport, deployment, and use. Modifications from previous designs include a normally-open magnetic switch and a mounting configuration to maximize reception. The system weighed < 225 g, was effective ≤ 17.1 km, and failed in < 1% of trap-nights. Employing this system, researchers and wildlife managers may reduce the amount of effort checking traps while improving the welfare of trapped animals.

Successful feral cat control programs require effective baits and lures. Non-targets may interfere with trapping efforts by rapidly consuming bait before feral cats encounter traps, necessitating frequent bait replacement. We compared the effectiveness of baits and lures by analyzing capture rates of feral cats and non-targets and monitoring animal visits to bait stations with remotely-triggered cameras. We tested four different baits and attractants: canned cat food, sardines, catnip, and a bait sausage that we formulated from pork and fat. We trapped for a total of 3,389 trap nights and captured 35 feral cats. There were 323 incidences of trap interferences, reducing the effective trap nights (ETN) to 3,225. The primary cause of trap interference was feral pigs rolling over traps (n = 185, 57.3% of interferences). The primary non-target species captured were small Indian mongooses (n = 74, 22.9% of interferences). Overall, more cats and mongooses were captured using sardines, although the catch frequencies were not dependent on the bait type used. We obtained photographs of 1,476 small mammals at the bait stations. Mongooses were the principal mammals photographed (n = 939, 69.5% of pictures). We also obtained 398 photographs of rats (29.5%) and 9 (0.7%) of mice. Feral cats were photographed only 5 (0.4%) times. We found strong differences between mongooses, rodents, and cats photographed at the four bait types. Sardines were the most visited bait type (n = 641, 47.4% of photographs). Pork sausage and cat food accounted for 383 (28.3%) and 322 (23.8%) visits while catnip had only 67 (5.0%) visits. Feral cats were photographed only at sardine bait. Mongooses were attracted primarily to  sardines (49.3%). Pork sausage was the most attractive bait to rats, accounting for 44.5% of photographs. Due to the high rate of non-target interference, other attractants need to be tested for successful feral cat control programs.

Population genetics can provide information about the demographics and dynamics of invasive species that is beneficial for developing effective control strategies. We studied the population genetics of feral cats on Hawai`i Island by microsatellite analysis to evaluate genetic diversity and population structure, assess gene flow and connectivity among three populations, identify potential source populations, characterize population dynamics, and evaluate sex-biased dispersal. High genetic diversity, low structure, and high number of migrants per generation supported high gene flow that was not limited spatially. Migration rates revealed that most migration occurred out of West Mauna Kea. Effective population size estimates indicated increasing cat populations despite control efforts. Despite high gene flow, relatedness estimates declined significantly with increased geographic distance and Bayesian assignment tests revealed the presence of three population clusters. Genetic structure and relatedness estimates indicated male-biased dispersal. Mauna Kea may be a source population that can be targeted for control. However, recolonization seems likely given the great dispersal ability that may not be inhibited by barriers such as lava flows. Genetic monitoring will be necessary to assess the effectiveness of future control efforts.

Despite the long history of feral cats in Hawai`i, there has been little research to provide strategies to improve control programs and reduce depredation on endangered species. Our objective was to develop a predictive model to determine how landscape features on Mauna Kea such as habitat, elevation, and proximity to roads affect the number of feral cats captured at each trap. We used log-link generalized linear models and QAICc model ranking criteria to determine the effect of these factors. We found that the number of cats captured per trap was related to trapping effort, habitat type, and whether traps were located on the West or North Slope of Mauna Kea. We recommend an adaptive management strategy to minimize trapping interference by non-target small Indian mongoose (Herpestes auropunctatus) with toxicants, to focus trapping efforts in māmane (Sophora chrysophylla) habitat on the West slope of Mauna Kea, and to cluster traps near others that have previously captured multiple cats.

Why do people feed stray cats?

Coleman, G., & Coffey, M. Food for thought–why do people feed stray cats?.

What cats are we talking about?

- Semi-owned cats are stray cats that are fed by people who do not consider themselves to own the cat.

What did we research?

- Australia wide online survey

– Demographics

– Feeding stray cats (where, how many, how long etc.)

– Attitudes:

– about feeding stray cats

– about important others’ view of their feeding stray cats

– about perceived control over feeding stray cats

What we found:

– Semi-owners

* Most are women

* Most are middle aged or older

* Most feed one cat daily or every few days, in their home or within their property and have done so for several months or more

* Most cats that semi-owners feed are able to be picked up or at least patted

* Can also be pet owners

– Attitudes correlated with semi-ownership:

* Benevolent attitudes about the outcomes of feeding for the cat

* Positive attitudes about outcomes for the person doing the feeding

* Belief of support from important others to semi-own

– We can predict semi-ownership based primarily on beliefs about positive outcomes of feeding (behavioural beliefs)

* These beliefs outweigh any influence other factors

Why is this knowledge important?

– Semi-ownership:

* It’s a result of benevolent beliefs

* Semi-owned cats are in good body condition

* Many semi-owned cats are tolerant of human interaction

* But….

- Semi-owned cats are in the main un-desexed

- There are estimated to be 500 000 stray cats in Victoria alone

- semi-owned cats aid in maintaining this

- Semi-owned cats have much shorter lives than responsibly owned cats

- Semi-owned cats suffer with disease and injury

– Semi-owned cats make up a significant proportion of shelter admissions

– 64,000++ unwanted cats are admitted to shelters annually in Australia

* 60-74% of admitted cats are euthanized

Food for thought….

- Nearly ¼ of Victorians semi-own cats

- We know benevolent beliefs drive this behaviour

- We know many semi-owned cats have poor welfare

 - Challenging/changing beliefs an important part of effecting change

– Could people’s benevolent attitudes be better directed to benefit semi-owned

cat welfare?

* What are the barriers to taking the next steps (responsible ownership)?

– Continuing education on semi-owned cat welfare

Are feral cats responsible of the current decline of tropical marsupials in Australia? Two points of view

Fisher, D.O., Johnson, C.N., Lawes, M.J., Fritz, S.A., McCallum, H., Blomberg, S.P., VanDerWal, J., Abbott, B., Frank, A., Legge, S.,Letnic, M., Thomas, C.R., Fisher, A., Gordon, I.J. & Kutt, A. (2014) The current decline of tropical marsupials in Australia: is history repeating? Global Ecology and Biogeography, 23, 181–190.

Aim
A third of all modern (after 1500) mammal extinctions (24/77) are Australian species. These extinctions have been restricted to southern Australia, predominantly in species of ‘critical weight range’ (35–5500 g) in drier climate zones. Introduced red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) that prey on species in this range are often blamed. A new wave of declines is now affecting a globally significant proportion of marsupial species (19 species) in the fox-free northern tropics. We aim to test plausible causes of recent declines in range and determine if mechanisms differ between current tropical declines and past declines, which were in southern (non-tropical) regions.

Location
Australian continent

Methods
We used multiple regression and random forest models to analyse traits that were associated with declines in species range, and compare variables associated with past extinctions in the southern zones with current tropical (northern) declines.

Results
The same two key variables, body mass and habitat structure, were associated with proportion-of-decline in range throughout the continent, but the form of relationships differs with latitude. In the south, medium-sized species in open habitats of lower rainfall were most likely to decline. In the tropics, small species that occupy open vegetation with moderate rainfall (savanna) are now experiencing the most severe declines. Throughout the continent, large-bodied species and those in structurally complex habitats (rainforest) are secure.

Main conclusions
Our results indicate that there is no mid-sized ‘critical weight range’ in the north. Because foxes are absent from the tropics, we suggest that northern Australian marsupial declines are associated with predation by feral cats (Felis catus) exacerbated by reduced ground level vegetation in non-rainforest habitats. To test this, we recommend experiments to remove cats from some locations where tropical mammals are threatened. Our results show that comparative analysis can help to diagnose potential causes of multi-species decline.

Woinarski, J. C. Z. (2014). Critical‐weight‐range marsupials in northern Australia are declining: a commentary on Fisher et al.(2014)‘The current decline of tropical marsupials in Australia: is history repeating?’. Global Ecology and Biogeography.

Many mammal species are declining in parts of Australia's tropical savannas, for reasons that are not yet well defined. A recent paper (Fisher et al., 2014, Global Ecology and Biogeography, 23, 181–190) suggested that the primary cause is predation by feral cats, with the main evidence presented being a purported over-representation of small species amongst the marsupials that have contracted in range (‘small body size signifies high current extinction risk’). However, a review here of the information presented in that paper shows that no marsupial species smaller than 100 g has shown range contraction in northern Australia, and that most (15 of 17) declines are of species in the ‘critical weight range’ (35 g to 5.5 kg).

Seroprevalence of toxoplasmosis in pregnant women in Annaba, Algeria

Messerer, L., Bouzbid, S., Gourbdji, E., Mansouri, R., & Bachi, F. (2014). Séroprévalence de la toxoplasmose chez les femmes enceintes dans la wilaya d’Annaba, Algérie. Revue d'Épidémiologie et de Santé Publique.

Seroprevalence of toxoplasmosis in pregnant women in Annaba, Algeria

Background
The aim of the study was to estimate the seroprevalence and risk factors of toxoplasmosis in pregnant women in the department of Annaba, Algeria.

Methods

We performed a cross-sectional study with analytical purposes. The study was collaboration between the laboratory of Parasitology-Mycology, Faculty of Medicine of Annaba and Parasite Biology Department at the Pasteur Institute of Algeria. A total of 1028 pregnant women who underwent prenatal diagnosis/visit were included over a period of 4 years from January 2006 to December 2009. Immunoglobulin G and M were assayed, using the microparticle enzyme method. The avidity test was used to determine the date of contamination according to age of pregnancy. Search for the parasite was made by inoculation of the placenta and cord blood in white mice. The study compared mother-to-child serological profiles using Western Blot (WB) IgG and IgM. Direct (not well-cooked meat) and indirect (presence of cat, gardening) indicators were recorded to search for parasite exposure.

ResultsSeroprevalence was 47.8 % (95 % CI: 44.8 to 51.0) and the rate of active toxoplasmosis was 1.1 % (95 % CI 0.6 to 1.8). According to their immune status, this was the first serology for 41 % (CI95 %: 38.0–44.0) of women; 12 % (CI95 %: 10.5–14.6) of primiparous women had only one serology test during their entire pregnancy. Major risk factors were consumption of poorly-cooked meat and exposure to cats.

Conclusion
Toxoplasmosis during pregnancy is a serious issue and an effective prevention program is needed.

__________________

Position du problème
Le but de l’étude est d’estimer la séroprévalence de la toxoplasmose chez la femme enceinte dans la wilaya d’Annaba et d’identifier les facteurs de risque liés à la contamination.

MéthodesIl s’agit d’une étude transversale à visée analytique. L’étude a été réalisée entre le laboratoire de parasitologie mycologie de la faculté de médecine d’Annaba et le service de biologie parasitaire de l’institut Pasteur d’Algérie, sur une période de quatre ans et a porté sur un échantillon représentatif de 1028 gestantes qui se sont présentées dans le cadre d’un bilan prénatal. La sérologie a été mesurée par la recherche d’immunoglobulines G et M, par la méthode de microparticule enzym assay. La datation de la contamination toxoplasmique par rapport à l’âge de la grossesse a été réalisée par le test d’avidité. La recherche du parasite a été faite par inoculation du placenta et le sang du cordon à la souris blanche. L’étude des profils sérologiques comparés mère-enfant a été faite par Western Blot(WB), IgG et IgM. La recherche des facteurs de risques liés à la contamination a été faite par l’analyse des indicateurs directes (viande mal cuite) et indirectes (présence de chat dans l’entourage, notion de jardinage) d’exposition au parasite.

Résultats
Les examens sérologiques ont permis de trouver une séroprévalence de 47,8 % (IC 95 % : 44,8–51,0) de gestantes immunisées et 1,1 % (IC 95 % : 0,6–1,8) de toxoplasmose évolutive. Selon le statut immunitaire, 41 % des femmes (IC 95 % : 38,0–44,0) ont bénéficié d’un examen sérologique pour la première fois. La proportion des femmes primipares qui a bénéficié d’un seul examen sérologique au cours de toute la grossesse était de 12 % (IC 95 % : 10,5–14,6). Les facteurs de risque identifiés étaient la consommation de viande mal cuite et la présence de chat dans l’entourage.

Conclusion
La toxoplasmose reste une affection particulièrement grave quand elle survient au cours de la grossesse ce qui impose la mise en place d’un programme de prévention basé sur la surveillance sérologique des femmes enceintes à risque et la sensibilisation sur le respect des règles hygiéno-diététiques.

Eradication of cats from Macquarie Island

Robinson, S. A., & Copson, G. R. (2014). Eradication of cats (Felis catus) from subantarctic Macquarie Island. Ecological Management & Restoration 15: 34–40. doi: 10.1111/emr.12073.

A feral cat roams among baby penguins on Macquarie Island.
Photo: Geoff Copson/ Tasmanian NPWS

The feral Cat (Felis catus) population on Macquarie Island was targeted for eradication between 1996 and 2002, with 761 cats captured during this period. After 22 years of cat control from 1974 integrated with control programmes for other pests, effort intensified for 2 years before a dedicated eradication programme began in 1998. The primary knock-down for the eradication used cage trapping and shooting, with most surviving cats captured with leg-hold traps. A total of 6298 field days and 216 574 trap nights were recorded in this operation. Factors contributing to the success of the programme included extensive planning, increased staff numbers at critical times, better access to remote areas of the island, introduction of leg-hold traps, sufficient operational funding and good collaboration between government agencies operating on the island. The programme would have benefited from earlier deployment of detector dogs and better posteradication monitoring of a broader range of native species impacted by cats. The successful eradication of cats from Macquarie Island, being the second largest achieved to date, provides valuable experience for cat eradication attempts on other large remote islands. This programme relied on ground-based techniques with minimal use of poisons and provides possible options for sites where broad-scale poisoning, or where aerial distribution of poisons, cannot be used.


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