Vlad-Dan Cotuţiu, Cristina D Cazan, Angela M Ionică, Andrada S Cârstolovean, Angel-Gabriel Irimia, Adrian M Aldea, Călin C Şerban, Gabriel B Chişamera, Alina D Haşaş, Andrei D Mihalca
{"title":"Thelazia rhodesi and Thelazia skrjabini in wild European bison (Bison bonasus) and farmed American bison (Bison bison) from Romania, 2021-23.","authors":"Vlad-Dan Cotuţiu, Cristina D Cazan, Angela M Ionică, Andrada S Cârstolovean, Angel-Gabriel Irimia, Adrian M Aldea, Călin C Şerban, Gabriel B Chişamera, Alina D Haşaş, Andrei D Mihalca","doi":"10.7589/JWD-D-24-00169","DOIUrl":"10.7589/JWD-D-24-00169","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Between November 2021 and January 2023, the eyes of either slaughtered or deceased male American bison (Bison bison) and European bison (Bison bonasus) from Romania were investigated for the presence of Thelazia spp. nematodes (eye worms). These included seven farmed American bison from two locations and two wild European bison from reintroduction sites. Thelazia rhodesi and Thelazia skrjabini were present in three American bison and both European bison. A total of 38 nematodes were recovered, with T. rhodesi being the predominant species. Molecular analysis confirmed these findings and identified unique sequences for both species. The nematodes in American bison were distributed across the Pannonian and Continental biogeoregions, and those in European bison originated from the Alpine region. Thelazia spp. have not previously been reported in American bison, nor in European bison from Romania. The findings underscore the need for continuous monitoring and management of Thelazia infections to support conservation and reintroduction efforts. Future research should focus on the ecological factors influencing these infections and develop strategies to mitigate their impact on wildlife health.</p>","PeriodicalId":17602,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Wildlife Diseases","volume":" ","pages":"536-541"},"PeriodicalIF":1.1,"publicationDate":"2025-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143772408","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}
Johanna Harvey, Jeffery D Sullivan, Rebecca L Poulson, Deborah L Carter, Cindy P Driscoll, Peter C McGowan, Carl R Callahan, Amy W O'Donnell, Jennifer M Mullinax, David E Stallknecht, Diann J Prosser
{"title":"Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza Virus H5N1 in Double-crested Cormorants (Nannopterum auritum) of the Chesapeake Bay, USA.","authors":"Johanna Harvey, Jeffery D Sullivan, Rebecca L Poulson, Deborah L Carter, Cindy P Driscoll, Peter C McGowan, Carl R Callahan, Amy W O'Donnell, Jennifer M Mullinax, David E Stallknecht, Diann J Prosser","doi":"10.7589/JWD-D-24-00111","DOIUrl":"10.7589/JWD-D-24-00111","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Double-crested Cormorants (Nannopterum auritum) have historically exhibited low levels of infection and antibodies to avian influenza virus (AIV). The recent global expansion of clade 2.3.4.4b A/goose/Guangdong/1/1996 highly pathogenic (HP) avian influenza virus H5N1 (HPAI H5N1) has resulted in large-scale mortalities across diverse waterbird taxa including cormorants. We sampled 32 and 29 Double-crested Cormorants breeding in the Chesapeake Bay, US, during the summers of 2023 and 2024, respectively, to assess HPAI H5N1 infection and AIV antibodies. Although no mortality was observed in the area, one bird sampled in 2023 was infected with HPAI H5N1. Additionally, 21/31 individuals in 2023 and 10/25 individuals in 2024 for which sera were collected had AIV antibodies. Based on additional testing using hemagglutination inhibition, virus neutralization, and an enzyme-linked lectin assay, 94 and 100% (2023 and 2024, respectively) of the seropositive birds tested positive for antibodies to both H5 and N1, suggesting previous infection with HPAI H5N1. These results are consistent with survival and limited clinical effects related to HPAI H5N1 infections. Furthermore, these results suggest that population immunity to HPAI H5N1 within the Chesapeake Bay might reduce future infections and potential population impacts should HP H5N1 remain on the landscape, though immunity may be waning across time. Because results are based on a single population, additional testing for both infection and antibodies as well as continued monitoring could enhance understanding of antibody persistence.</p>","PeriodicalId":17602,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Wildlife Diseases","volume":" ","pages":"348-356"},"PeriodicalIF":1.1,"publicationDate":"2025-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143256033","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}
Zachary C Ready, Laura Adamovicz, Maris Daleo, Amber Simmons, Gary Glowacki, William Graser, Chris Anchor, Dan Thompson, Matthew C Allender
{"title":"Epidemiology of Sulawesi Tortoise Adenovirus in Free-living Blanding's Turtles (Emydoidea blandingii), Painted Turtles (Chrysemys picta), and Red-eared Sliders (Trachemys scripta elegans) in Illinois, USA.","authors":"Zachary C Ready, Laura Adamovicz, Maris Daleo, Amber Simmons, Gary Glowacki, William Graser, Chris Anchor, Dan Thompson, Matthew C Allender","doi":"10.7589/JWD-D-24-00124","DOIUrl":"10.7589/JWD-D-24-00124","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Sulawesi tortoise adenovirus (STADV) has been implicated in a mortality event involving three endangered species of tortoises and detected in free-living painted turtles (Chrysemys picta); however, the epidemiology of this virus in North American turtles remains unclear. The specific objectives of this study were to 1) estimate the prevalence of STADV in free-living Blanding's turtles (Emydoidea blandingii), painted turtles, and red-eared sliders (RES; Trachemys scripta elegans) in Illinois, US, using quantitative PCR (qPCR) and 2) determine if qPCR prevalence is associated with location, sex, age class, blood parameters, or clinical signs across these three species. Oral-cloacal swabs from 581 Blanding's turtles, 137 painted turtles, and 82 RES sampled across three counties from 2017 to 2022 were evaluated via qPCR. The prevalence of STADV was 2.4% for Blanding's turtles, 14.9% for painted turtles, and 45% for RES. Blanding's turtle subadults (P=0.022) and painted turtle adults (P<0.0001) were more likely to test positive than other age classes within the same species, while no age class association was found in RES (P=0.5). Clinical signs associated with STADV detection included quiet, alert, responsive mentation (P=0.002), pink mucous membranes (P<0.001), carapacial abnormalities (P=0.036), and plastron abnormalities (P=0.003). In a multivariable model, significant predictors for STADV detection included species, with painted turtles (P<0.0001) and RES (P=0.001) more likely to test positive than Blanding's turtles, and year, with turtles sampled in 2021 less likely to test positive than those sampled in 2017 (P=0.005). Detection of STADV was not significantly associated with location, month, sex, hematologic findings, serum biochemical findings, or protein electrophoretic profiles. Widespread molecular detection of STADV in these three species suggests a possible origin for the virus in the outbreak described in 2009, underscoring the importance of epidemiology studies to aid in the management of free-living and managed chelonians.</p>","PeriodicalId":17602,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Wildlife Diseases","volume":" ","pages":"408-418"},"PeriodicalIF":1.1,"publicationDate":"2025-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143573334","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}
Maya J Derksen, Ashley J Pidwerbesky, Amber Papineau, Stephen D Petersen, Jillian T Detwiler
{"title":"Relatively Low Prevalence and Genetic Diversity of Trichinella nativa in Wolverines (Gulo gulo) from Churchill, Manitoba, Canada.","authors":"Maya J Derksen, Ashley J Pidwerbesky, Amber Papineau, Stephen D Petersen, Jillian T Detwiler","doi":"10.7589/JWD-D-24-00070","DOIUrl":"10.7589/JWD-D-24-00070","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>In the Canadian North, trichinellosis is a zoonotic disease that is primarily transmitted by the consumption of improperly cooked walrus (Odobenus rosmarus) and bear (Ursus spp.) meat. Trichinella spp. infections in other wildlife provide information about where transmission occurs, the species present, and the potential risk of transmission to humans. Wolverines (Gulo gulo) can serve as a sentinel species, due to their scavenging behavior, high trophic level, and high larval burden when infected. We determined the prevalence, intensity, and genetic diversity of Trichinella infections in wolverines in Churchill, Manitoba, Canada, and compared these results with those of studies conducted in other northern Canadian provinces. Larvae were found in 41% (9/22) of hosts, with a mean intensity of 5.93 larvae per gram of tongue tissue. The DNA sequencing of the cytochrome b gene confirmed that all hosts were infected with Trichinella nativa and that diversity was limited with only two distinct haplotypes recovered. The presence of T. nativa in wolverines indicates that this parasite is being maintained in a sylvatic cycle and that humans could be at risk of transmission in northern Manitoba.</p>","PeriodicalId":17602,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Wildlife Diseases","volume":" ","pages":"467-471"},"PeriodicalIF":1.1,"publicationDate":"2025-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143710200","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}
Gislayne Mendoza-Alcívar, Sharon L Deem, Fernando Esperón, Ainoa Nieto-Claudín
{"title":"Viral Prevalence in Galapagos Giant Tortoises.","authors":"Gislayne Mendoza-Alcívar, Sharon L Deem, Fernando Esperón, Ainoa Nieto-Claudín","doi":"10.7589/JWD-D-24-00177","DOIUrl":"10.7589/JWD-D-24-00177","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Galapagos giant tortoises are the largest terrestrial vertebrates and one of the most iconic species of the Galapagos islands. Their populations continue to be endangered because of multiple factors, mostly driven by anthropogenic activities. In recent years, the presence of novel infectious agents of potential conservation concern, including two adenoviruses and two herpesviruses, has been reported in some Galapagos tortoise species. With the aim of describing the presence and prevalence of these pathogens in additional tortoise species, we collected oral, ocular, and cloacal swabs from 99 free-living tortoises from San Cristobal (Chelonoidis chathamensis) and Isabela islands (Chelonoidis vicina and Chelonoidis guntheri) and screened these for the presence of herpesvirus and adenovirus by PCR. We detected Chelonoidis adenovirus 1 (CheAdV1) and Chelonoidis adenovirus 2 (CheAdV2) in all sampling locations, whereas we did not detect herpesvirus in any tortoises. Phylogenetic analyses revealed that San Cristobal nucleotide and amino acid sequences clustered in a clade with CheAdV1, whereas the Isabela nucleotide and amino acid sequences clustered together with CheAdV2. This contributes additional information regarding tortoise viral distribution in the Galapagos Archipelago. We recommend long-term health surveillance of tortoises and other wildlife species to inform conservation actions in the Galapagos involving captive-breeding and rewilding programs.</p>","PeriodicalId":17602,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Wildlife Diseases","volume":" ","pages":"542-547"},"PeriodicalIF":1.1,"publicationDate":"2025-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143692575","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}
Michelle Imlau, John A Browne, Samuel S Browett, Allan D McDevitt, Barry J McMahon, Jarlath E Nally, Hanne Jahns
{"title":"Surveillance for Leptospira sp. in Native and Invasive Shrews in Ireland Compared with Cohabitating Shrews in France.","authors":"Michelle Imlau, John A Browne, Samuel S Browett, Allan D McDevitt, Barry J McMahon, Jarlath E Nally, Hanne Jahns","doi":"10.7589/JWD-D-24-00084","DOIUrl":"10.7589/JWD-D-24-00084","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Leptospirosis is a complex and often underestimated global bacterial disease that continues to be of zoonotic concern. It is difficult to diagnose and has an unclear pathogenesis. Several new species of the genus Leptospira have been discovered in recent years; the impact of these species on animal health is unknown. In 2013, Leptospira tipperaryensis was first identified in greater white-toothed shrews (GWTSs, Crocidura russula) in Ireland, where they are an invasive species that displaces the native pygmy shrew (Sorex minutus). This study investigated the prevalence of Leptospira spp., including L. tipperaryensis, and their potential impact on the health of shrews from Ireland using histopathology (n=212), immunohistochemistry (IHC; n=206), and quantitative PCR (n=168) on renal tissues. Shrews (n=81) from Belle Île, France were examined as a species and habitat control group using histopathology (n=81) and IHC (n=79). No Leptospira were detected with any of the methods in renal tissues from shrews sampled in Ireland and there was no significant renal pathology. In contrast, 34.6% (28/81) of shrews from Belle Île were positive on IHC for Leptospira sp. and had associated chronic nephritis in histopathology. The results do not indicate a negative impact by L. tipperaryensis or other Leptospira spp. on the health and distribution of the GWTS and the pygmy shrew in Ireland; onward transmission within the shrew population currently appears unlikely.</p>","PeriodicalId":17602,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Wildlife Diseases","volume":"61 2","pages":"477-482"},"PeriodicalIF":1.1,"publicationDate":"2025-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144007391","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}
Rita Santos, Rui Lourenço, Isabel P da Fonseca, Mariana Louro, Sílvia S Barros, María Casero, Ricardo Brandão, Ana F Lopes, Mariana R Ferreira, Jacinto Gomes
{"title":"Molecular Survey of Hemosporidian Parasites in Owls in Mainland Portugal.","authors":"Rita Santos, Rui Lourenço, Isabel P da Fonseca, Mariana Louro, Sílvia S Barros, María Casero, Ricardo Brandão, Ana F Lopes, Mariana R Ferreira, Jacinto Gomes","doi":"10.7589/JWD-D-24-00063","DOIUrl":"10.7589/JWD-D-24-00063","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Owls play an important role as avian hosts for hemosporidians, overlapping habitat use and activity with the arthropod vectors, which results in susceptibility to morbidity and, in some cases, mortality upon infection. This study aimed to analyze the hemosporidians in tissues collected from individual dead owls (n=240), in various regions of mainland Portugal, primarily obtained from wildlife rehabilitation centers (WRCs). Hemosporidian species were detected using nested PCRs, targeting the cytochrome b gene of the mitochondria. For species and lineage identification, 19 positive PCR samples were selected and sequenced by the Sanger method. In total, 51% (n=122) of the 240 owl samples tested positive for at least one hemosporidian species: 31% (n=75) were positive for Haemoproteus-Plasmodium spp., whereas 44% (n=106) were positive for Leucocytozoon spp. Only 7% (n=16) were positive for Haemoproteus-Plasmodium spp. alone and 20% (n=47) for Leucocytozoon spp. alone, whereas 25% (n=59) of owls had mixed infections. Owl species, age, and geographic region of collected samples were significantly associated with hemosporidian prevalence: Eurasian Eagle-Owls (Bubo bubo), adults, and individuals from the Alentejo region presented higher prevalences than other species, ages, and geographic regions. Our findings highlight the potential impact of hemosporidians on owl conservation, particularly their effect on species currently threatened with extinction and the possible repercussions on reintroduction or translocation projects. This study emphasizes the role of WRCs in disease surveillance and suggests the importance of considering prophylactic measures in these settings. Given the high prevalence of hemosporidians, further studies involving live owls, both wild and captive, are encouraged, along with integrating clinical and hematologic data.</p>","PeriodicalId":17602,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Wildlife Diseases","volume":" ","pages":"434-447"},"PeriodicalIF":1.1,"publicationDate":"2025-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143433428","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}
Zachary C Ready, Laura Adamovicz, James F X Wellehan, Maris Daleo, Amber Simmons, Gary Glowacki, William Graser, Chris Anchor, Dan Thompson, Matthew C Allender
{"title":"Detection of Adenoviruses in Free-Ranging Blanding's Turtles (Emydoidea blandingii), Painted Turtles (Chrysemys picta), and Red-Eared Sliders (Trachemys scripta elegans) in Illinois, USA.","authors":"Zachary C Ready, Laura Adamovicz, James F X Wellehan, Maris Daleo, Amber Simmons, Gary Glowacki, William Graser, Chris Anchor, Dan Thompson, Matthew C Allender","doi":"10.7589/JWD-D-24-00087","DOIUrl":"10.7589/JWD-D-24-00087","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Morbidity and mortality associated with adenoviruses (AdVs) have been reported in multiple taxa, including chelonians. Adenoviruses of a distinct testudinoid origin have been detected in both managed and free-ranging turtles in North America and Europe; however, the prevalence and impact of AdVs in free-ranging turtle populations have yet to be determined. A multispecies investigation to detect novel or existing AdVs in Blanding's turtles (Emydoidea blandingii; n=1,359), painted turtles (Chrysemys picta; n=270), and red-eared sliders (Trachemys scripta elegans; n=205) was performed across four counties in Illinois (with one site reaching into Wisconsin), USA, from 2016 to 2022. Sequence-confirmed AdVs were detected in Blanding's turtles (1.8%; n=24), painted turtles (13.0%; n=35), and red-eared sliders (8.8%; n=18). Ten AdVs, including 5 novel AdVs, were detected across the three species, with each species having 3-6 AdVs detected. Three AdVs were probably prey related, whereas the remaining seven AdVs were probably host-adapted AdVs, based on the absence of clinical signs of disease. The majority of AdVs detected were testadenoviruses; however, the siadenovirus Sulawesi tortoise adenovirus (STADV) was sequence confirmed in 1 Blanding's turtle, 15 painted turtles, and 10 red-eared sliders, all of which were free of clinical signs of disease. These results provide a baseline for the presence and diversity of AdVs in free-ranging turtles in Illinois, including evidence for a North American reservoir for STADV.</p>","PeriodicalId":17602,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Wildlife Diseases","volume":" ","pages":"370-381"},"PeriodicalIF":1.1,"publicationDate":"2025-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143557135","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}
Marguerite D Johnson, Jennifer L Malmberg, Jaqueline P Kurz, Jessica Jennings-Gaines, Samantha E Allen
{"title":"Assessment of Palatine Tonsil Testing by ELISA for Chronic Wasting Disease Detection in Free-Ranging Mule Deer (Odocoileus hemionus).","authors":"Marguerite D Johnson, Jennifer L Malmberg, Jaqueline P Kurz, Jessica Jennings-Gaines, Samantha E Allen","doi":"10.7589/JWD-D-24-00161","DOIUrl":"10.7589/JWD-D-24-00161","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Chronic wasting disease (CWD) is a fatal transmissible spongiform encephalopathy affecting cervids. Transmission occurs through oral and nasal mucosal exposure to infectious prions (PrPCWD), causing cellular prion proteins (PrPC) to misfold. Currently, the approved diagnostic assays for CWD are immunohistochemistry (IHC) and ELISA. While IHC is considered the gold standard, ELISA is used by most diagnostic laboratories as a screening test for free-ranging cervids. Currently, two tissues have been validated for use with the cervid ELISA test: the medial retropharyngeal lymph node (MRPLN) and the obex region of the brainstem. Palatine tonsil has not been validated for use with the ELISA despite trafficking of PrPCWD to the tonsils early in the course of disease in deer. Here we assessed the suitability of palatine tonsil for CWD testing of free-ranging mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus) using two commercially available ELISA kits in conjunction with IHC. We tested paired MRPLN and tonsillar tissues, collected from hunter-harvested and non-hunter-harvested mule deer (n=176) in Wyoming, US, from 2020 to 2024. Our findings indicated 100% agreement between MRPLN and palatine tonsil, with no difference in the performance of the two commercially available ELISA kits, confirming that palatine tonsil can be substituted for MRPLN for CWD surveillance in free-ranging mule deer with high confidence.</p>","PeriodicalId":17602,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Wildlife Diseases","volume":" ","pages":"530-535"},"PeriodicalIF":1.1,"publicationDate":"2025-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143605451","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}
Jeffrey M Lorch, Abigail Tobin, Alexandria A Argue, Valerie Shearn-Bochsler, Brenda Berlowski-Zier, Kyle G George, Katherine Haman, Anne E Ballmann
{"title":"Mortality Events in Yuma Myotis (Myotis yumanensis) Due to White-Nose Syndrome in Washington, USA.","authors":"Jeffrey M Lorch, Abigail Tobin, Alexandria A Argue, Valerie Shearn-Bochsler, Brenda Berlowski-Zier, Kyle G George, Katherine Haman, Anne E Ballmann","doi":"10.7589/JWD-D-24-00125","DOIUrl":"10.7589/JWD-D-24-00125","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The impacts of white-nose syndrome (WNS) on many bat species in eastern North America have been well documented because of the length of time that the causative agent, Pseudogymnoascus destructans (Pd), has been present and the ability to monitor bat hibernacula in that region. However, the disease outcomes for bat species in western North America are less known because of the more recent arrival of Pd and the challenges associated with monitoring hibernating bat populations in parts of the western USA. We report on mortality events involving Yuma myotis (Myotis yumanensis) bats at two locations in King and Benton counties, Washington, USA, that were attributed to WNS during the late winters of 2020-21 and 2024, respectively. All bats that were grossly examined had depleted subcutaneous white adipose tissue, tested positive for the presence of Pd, had histopathologic lesions consistent with WNS, and did not exhibit evidence of other disease processes that may have contributed to death. Mortality was probably higher than what was documented because the locations of the Pd-contaminated hibernacula from which the bats originated were inaccessible or unknown and thus could not be surveyed. These findings indicate that Yuma myotis may be highly susceptible to WNS, and close monitoring is warranted to understand how WNS will affect population trends in this (and other) western bat species.</p>","PeriodicalId":17602,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Wildlife Diseases","volume":" ","pages":"509-514"},"PeriodicalIF":1.1,"publicationDate":"2025-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143649608","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}