Journal of Wildlife Diseases最新文献

{"title":"Causes of Mortality in Captive, Captive-Release, and Wild Vancouver Island Marmots (Marmota vancouverensis).","authors":"Malcolm McAdie, Karl Larsen, Stephen Raverty, Douglas Whiteside, Craig Stephen","doi":"10.7589/JWD-D-26-00045","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.7589/JWD-D-26-00045","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The Vancouver Island marmot (VIM; Marmota vancouverensis) is a critically endangered sciurid endemic to the subalpine meadows of Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada. In response to population declines in the 1980s and 1990s, an intensive conservation breeding and reintroduction program was initiated in 1997. This recovery effort has generated significant health-related data from the captive, captive-release, and wild VIM populations, including results from 153 ex situ and 820 in situ mortalities. There were important differences in surveillance between captive and free-ranging populations (captive release and wild). Ex situ marmots exhibited greater longevity, were monitored with greater intensity, were carefully managed during hibernation, and were safeguarded against predation. These factors facilitated prompt recognition, recovery, and evaluation of mortalities. Cardiomyopathy and neoplasia represented the most significant causes of mortality in captives but were not observed in their in situ counterparts, possibly due to reduced longevity, dissimilar risk patterns, or limited opportunities to evaluate intact carcasses. Intact carcasses of free-ranging marmots were mainly recovered in spring and resulted from hibernation-related, postemergent emaciation. Mortalities of free-ranging VIMs often presented as incomplete remains or were inaccessible in burrows, meaning they were evaluated according to on-site field observations. Investigations indicated that the first wild hibernation was a time of substantial mortality for marmots released from captivity. However, captive releases that survived their first winter displayed a low incidence of hibernation mortality in subsequent winters, a success rate similar to that of their wild-born counterparts. Predators, particularly cougars (Puma concolor), represented the most consequential cause of mortality for both captive-release and wild marmots. No specific infectious agents were identified as presenting a generalized threat to in situ or ex situ populations. Chronic obesity in captives, reduced hibernation survival of first-year captive releases, and pronounced, seasonal predation of free-ranging marmots appear to represent important factors influencing the health and recovery of this critically endangered species.</p>","PeriodicalId":17602,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Wildlife Diseases","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2026-08-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148707054","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Spirocercosis in Wildlife: Insights for Conservation.","authors":"Ashleigh Pienaar, Liesel van der Merwe, Sarah J Clift","doi":"10.7589/JWD-D-25-00190","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.7589/JWD-D-25-00190","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Nematodes in the genus Spirocerca, transmitted by dung beetles, infect both domestic dogs (Canis familiaris) and a multitude of wild carnivore species worldwide. Spirocerca infections in wild carnivores and their potential implications for conservation are not fully understood. This review aimed to analyze existing research on spirocercosis in wildlife and to highlight key differences between spirocercosis in wild and domestic carnivores. Spirocerca spp. have been detected in 35 wild host species in 31 countries across five continents. Typical pathologic signs of infection include aortic aneurysms, gastric and esophageal nodules, and aberrant migration within the thorax and abdomen. Complications seen in domestic dogs, such as vertebral spondylitis and hypertrophic osteopathy, have not been observed in wildlife. The reasons for these differences are not fully understood, but hypotheses include a relatively immature immune system in dogs, differences in diet, and evolved resistance to infection in wild hosts. Findings indicate that spirocercosis may not greatly impact healthy wild populations but could be devastating for critically endangered species. Future research should focus on screening for spirocercosis in wildlife after routine culling by using molecular methods to identify the species of Spirocerca nematodes instead of relying solely on morphologic characteristics.</p>","PeriodicalId":17602,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Wildlife Diseases","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2026-08-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148707003","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Dirofilaria striata in a Florida Panther (Puma concolor coryi) in Southwest Florida, USA.","authors":"Trey D Tomlinson, Jeff M Gruntmeir, Peter Sebastian, James F X Wellehan, Heather D S Walden","doi":"10.7589/JWD-D-25-00213","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.7589/JWD-D-25-00213","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Dirofilaria striata is a filarioid nematode of domestic and wild felids. Differentiating this species from other filarioid nematodes is challenging due to the lack of comprehensive morphologic and molecular data. This short report provides concurrent molecular and morphologic data of microfilariae consistent with D. striata in a free-living Florida panther (Puma concolor coryi) from southwest Florida, USA. Also, we present evidence of a potential cross-reaction of D. striata on three different commercially available Dirofilaria immitis antigen tests.</p>","PeriodicalId":17602,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Wildlife Diseases","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2026-08-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148761266","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Coproparasitologic Survey of Gastrointestinal Parasites in Wild Carnivores from Northeastern Türkiye.","authors":"Neslihan Ölmez, Nilgün Aydın","doi":"10.7589/JWD-D-26-00033","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.7589/JWD-D-26-00033","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Parasitic infections in wildlife represent a significant concern for animal health, ecosystem stability, and public health due to their zoonotic potential. This study aimed to determine the prevalence and taxonomic diversity of gastrointestinal parasites in wild carnivore admitted to a wildlife rescue and rehabilitation center in northeastern Türkiye, a transboundary region within the Caucasus biodiversity hotspot. A total of 57 wild carnivores belonging to six species and originating from five provinces of Türkiye were examined using standard qualitative coproparasitologic methods, including flotation, sedimentation, and modified acid-fast staining techniques. Prevalence rates were calculated descriptively with exact 95% confidence intervals. Overall, 35% (20/57) of the carnivores were positive for at least one gastrointestinal parasite. Eight parasite taxa were identified, including nematodes (Toxascaris leonina, Toxocara canis, Trichuris spp., Capillaria spp., Strongyloides sp., and Ascarid-type eggs), trematodes (Alaria spp.), and cestodes (Taeniid-type eggs). Toxascaris leonina was the most prevalent species (14%), predominantly detected in red foxes (Vulpes vulpes). Several detected taxa, including Alaria spp., Taenia spp., Toxocara canis, and other helminths, are of recognized veterinary and zoonotic importance. This study provides baseline epidemiological data on gastrointestinal parasites in wildlife admitted to a rehabilitation center in northeastern Türkiye and highlights the potential role of wild carnivores as reservoirs contributing to environmental contamination and parasite transmission at the wildlife-domestic animal-human interface. These findings support the need for integrated One Health-based surveillance strategies in transboundary ecosystems.</p>","PeriodicalId":17602,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Wildlife Diseases","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2026-08-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148678882","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Molecular Surveillance for Known and Novel Pathogens in Humboldt Penguins (Spheniscus humboldti) in Peru, 2009-18.","authors":"Emily R Whitmer, Laura A Adamovicz, Michael J Adkesson, Susana Cardenas-Alayza, Matthew C Allender","doi":"10.7589/JWD-D-25-00203","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.7589/JWD-D-25-00203","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The Humboldt Penguin (Spheniscus humboldti) is an IUCN Vulnerable species endemic to the Humboldt Current on the western coast of South America. Infectious disease is an inadequately understood potential threat to this species. To assess for the occurrence and prevalence of potential pathogens, conventional and quantitative PCR assays were conducted for 23 viral and bacterial targets in cloacal and tracheal swabs from adult penguins (n=224) sampled from 2009 to 2018 in a Peruvian breeding colony. Adenoviruses, circoviruses, herpesviruses, and Mycoplasma spp. were detected. Adenoviruses were detected at low prevalence (1%). Two circoviruses were detected: one circovirus with high homology to porcine circovirus 2 (overall positivity 14% of sampled individuals) and another apparently novel circovirus (12%). Spheniscid alphaherpesvirus 1 (overall positivity 3%) and penguin herpesvirus 1 (1%) were detected at low prevalence. Positivity to Mycoplasma gallisepticum was 26%. Various other Mycoplasma spp. were also detected (overall positivity 10%). Gallid herpesvirus 1, psittacine herpesvirus 1, psittacine circovirus, avian polyomavirus 1, avipoxviruses, coronaviruses, orthoreoviruses, Chlamydophila pneumoniae, Chlamydophila psittaci, Mycoplasma synoviae, and Salmonella enterica (serovars Typhimurium, Enteriditis, Pullorum, and Gallisepticum) were not detected. This study contributes to existing knowledge of the prevalence of potential pathogens in Humboldt Penguins. Further work is needed to characterize the epidemiology and health significance of detected pathogens, particularly circoviruses and Mycoplasma species.</p>","PeriodicalId":17602,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Wildlife Diseases","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2026-08-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148678928","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Molecular Detection and Phylogenetic Characterization of Feline Panleukopenia Virus in Free-Ranging Bengal Tiger Cubs (Panthera tigris tigris) from South India.","authors":"Vaseem Mirza, A M Adarsh, V Manjunath, N Chandrashekhara","doi":"10.7589/JWD-D-26-00062","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.7589/JWD-D-26-00062","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Feline panleukopenia virus (FPV) was confirmed by PCR in four free-ranging Bengal tiger cubs (Panthera tigris tigris) from South India. Phylogenetic placement of VP2 gene sequences showed clustering with domestic cat and wild carnivore isolates from the South Indian landscape, highlighting the potential for pathogen spillover at domestic-wildlife interfaces.</p>","PeriodicalId":17602,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Wildlife Diseases","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2026-07-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148654190","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Cervidpoxvirus-Associated Ulcerative Lesions in a Free-Ranging White-Tailed Deer (Odocoileus virginianus) in New York State, USA.","authors":"David B Dayan, Elizabeth L Buckles, Brittany Cronk, Leonardo Cardia Caserta, Melissa A Fadden, Jennifer C Bloodgood, Kevin P Hynes, Diego G Diel, Krysten L Schuler","doi":"10.7589/JWD-D-25-00095","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.7589/JWD-D-25-00095","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>A free-ranging juvenile female white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) from New York state, USA, was euthanized for abnormal behavior. Necropsy identified ulcerative lesions on the nasal planum, tongue, and esophageal mucosa. Virus isolation, PCR, sequencing, and phylogenetic analysis confirmed Cervidpoxvirus infection, not previously documented causing clinical infection in free-ranging white-tailed deer.</p>","PeriodicalId":17602,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Wildlife Diseases","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2026-07-29","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148620287","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Ethylene Glycol Poisoning in Two Griffon Vultures (Gyps fulvus) in Italy.","authors":"Caterina Raso, Claudia Eleni, Lorena Di Benedetto, Claudia Focardi, Anna Ciogli, Gianluca Lelli, Mario Posillico, Nicolò Borgianni, Gianpiero di Clemente, Goffredo Grifoni","doi":"10.7589/JWD-D-25-00188","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.7589/JWD-D-25-00188","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Poisoning is a major cause of anthropogenic death and population decline in vultures, posing a serious conservation problem for several species. This report describes mortality consequent to ethylene glycol (EG) poisoning in two Griffon Vultures Gyps fulvus in Italy. One was observed alive showing abnormal hypoactive behavior 3 d before corpse retrieval. At necropsy, the main pathological findings of severe tubulonephrosis with accumulation of oxalate crystals and hepatocellular necrosis in both animals were strongly suggestive of EG poisoning, confirmed by chemical analysis of the liver and gastric contents. Estimated post-mortem intervals dated both deaths to the same 72 h timeframe, suggesting a common source of exposure and indicating that the bird seen alive died soon afterwards. An alcoholic compound, EG is widely used as an antifreeze or industrial solvent and frequently detected in poisoning casualties. It has a sweet taste, and animals may consume it unintentionally, in poisoned baits, or by scavenging poisoned carcasses. Although the source of the toxin for these vultures remains unknown, this report underlines the importance of vultures' post-mortem surveillance for the early detection of environmental contaminants and conservation threats. According to the available literature, EG poisoning has not previously been reported in any vultures in Europe nor in Griffon Vultures worldwide.</p>","PeriodicalId":17602,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Wildlife Diseases","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2026-07-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148471250","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Lack of Detectable Anti-Diphtheria Toxin Antibodies in European Hedgehogs (Erinaceus europaeus) from a Corynebacterium ulcerans Hotspot.","authors":"Valérie Miserez, Naomi Terriere, Veronique Saey, Muriel Vervaeke, Frank Pasmans, An Martel","doi":"10.7589/JWD-D-26-00043","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.7589/JWD-D-26-00043","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Abstract: </strong>Corynebacterium ulcerans is a zoonotic pathogen causing cutaneous diphtheria. In Belgium, the bacterium is the cause of hedgehog diphtheric disease (HDD) that appears to have emerged from an endemic state within the European hedgehog (Erinaceus europaeus) population. In spring 2025, 11 hedgehogs admitted to a wildlife rehabilitation center were euthanized due to their severe condition. Blood was collected for anti-diphtheria toxin antibody detection, and lesion swabs (if present) and oral cavity swabs were taken, followed by necropsy. Of nine hedgehogs exhibiting HDD-like lesions, five were confirmed positive for C. ulcerans, with four animals harboring toxigenic strains. None of the 11 hedgehogs had detectable anti-diphtheria toxin titers. These findings suggest that although European hedgehogs in HDD-endemic regions are frequently exposed to C. ulcerans, the development of systemic antitoxin immunity remains uncertain and should be explored in larger studies that include healthy animals.</p>","PeriodicalId":17602,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Wildlife Diseases","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2026-07-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148422106","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Marked Decline in Bearded Pig (Sus barbatus) Detections in Sabah, Malaysia, during the African Swine Fever Outbreak, 2021.","authors":"Lok Jinn Wong, Suzika Juiling, Adi Shabrani, Middle Seen Kapis, Tinrus Tindok, Mohd Syafiq Shabri, Glyn Davies","doi":"10.7589/JWD-D-25-00162","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.7589/JWD-D-25-00162","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>African swine fever (ASF) has recently swept through Southeast Asia, beginning in 2018, posing a significant threat to populations of native wild pig species. In Borneo, the population of wild bearded pigs (Sus barbatus) declined sharply during the period of regional ASF spread. This paper presents results of WWF-Malaysia surveys of bearded pigs in the Malaysian state of Sabah, in the northern part of Borneo, that showed changes over a 6-yr period (2019-25), starting before the 2021 ASF outbreak. Surveys were conducted along 2-km transects at 28 sites across 10 forest reserves and parks by using a combination of camera trapping and direct observations. The findings revealed high bearded pig occurrence in 2019-20, with a mean of 12.67 pigs per 100 camera-trap nights, followed by a precipitous decline from March 2021 to December 2022 and a slight increase in detections from 2023 onward. These results documented a marked decline of at least one order of magnitude in bearded pig detections across Sabah that coincided with the period of regional ASF spread, and they showed continued low populations even 5 yr after the epidemic was initially recorded. The survey findings provide an important ecologic baseline for monitoring bearded pig populations and highlight the need for integrated wildlife-disease surveillance in the region.</p>","PeriodicalId":17602,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Wildlife Diseases","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2026-07-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148397019","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}