Journal of Wildlife Diseases最新文献

{"title":"Serosurveillance and Parasite Survey of Swift Fox (Vulpes velox) from Southeastern Wyoming, USA.","authors":"Samantha E Allen, Peach Van Wick, Dana L Nelson, Jason D Carlisle, Jessica Jennings, Kelsie Buxbaum, Austin B Smith, Joseph D Holbrook, Hila Shamon","doi":"10.7589/JWD-D-25-00064","DOIUrl":"10.7589/JWD-D-25-00064","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The swift fox (Vulpes velox) is a small canid species occupying mixed and short-grass prairie ecosystems across western North America. Populations have declined across a large portion of their historical habitat distribution, mainly due to anthropogenic influences. Although some populations appear to be rebounding, the swift fox is classified as a species of greatest conservation need in Wyoming, USA, due to threats from predation, vehicular collisions, and habitat alterations that increase potential contact with humans and domestic animals. This potential contact with other species puts swift foxes at risk from infectious disease transmission, potentially resulting in morbidity or mortality. There are few published studies about disease seroprevalence and presence of parasites from swift foxes within Wyoming. Serum samples (n=103) and fecal samples (n=113) from live swift foxes were opportunistically collected from southeastern Wyoming (2009 and 2020-24) and submitted for testing. Serum samples were assessed for antibodies using an indirect fluorescent antibody test, canine parvovirus (CPV), and virus neutralization tests, canine distemper virus (CDV) and canine adenovirus (CAV). Fecal samples were tested using a standard fecal float and a real-time PCR for Echinococcus spp. and Echinococcus multilocularis. Not all samples could be tested for every assay. Overall, 58 (73%; n=80) foxes were seropositive for CPV, 5 (19%; n=27) for CAV, and 1 (2%; n=53) for CDV. Toxascaris leonina was the most commonly detected (31%; n=44) gastrointestinal parasite, and Echinococcus spp. was detected in one individual (0.9%; n=113). These results reveal previously unidentified levels of seroprevalence and lack of difference between age and sex in this species. Continued exploration and surveillance is needed to assist in determining associated morbidity and mortality and to identify risk factors (e.g., domestic canid, other wild canid comingling) contributing to disease transmission within this population.</p>","PeriodicalId":17602,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Wildlife Diseases","volume":" ","pages":"126-134"},"PeriodicalIF":1.2,"publicationDate":"2026-02-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145372803","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":"Histomonosis and Lymphoproliferative Disease Virus in Male Wild Turkeys (Meleagris gallopavo) in Alabama, USA.","authors":"Kevin N Ostrander, Matthew S Day, Rüdiger Hauck, Kellye S Joiner, William D Gulsby","doi":"10.7589/JWD-D-24-00150","DOIUrl":"10.7589/JWD-D-24-00150","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Wild Turkeys (Meleagris gallopavo) are an important game species in the USA and have experienced population declines in many areas of their range for >10 yr. Among other hypotheses, increased disease prevalence or novel disease emergence could be contributing factors in Wild Turkey population declines. To address some knowledge gaps and further understand the impacts of two important diseases on Wild Turkey populations, we sought to document the prevalence of histomonosis and lymphoproliferative disease virus (LPDV) in Alabama, USA, and to evaluate the spatial epidemiology of LPDV. We collected hunter-harvested Wild Turkey carcasses and paired observational surveys across Alabama during the 2022 and 2023 spring hunting seasons. During necropsies we collected the ceca, which was frozen and stored at -20 °C, and the spleen, which was stored in 70% ethanol at 20 °C or frozen and stored at -20 °C. We screened cecal walls for Histomonas meleagridis DNA and spleens for LPDV proviral DNA by using quantitative PCR and PCR, respectively. We detected H. meleagridis, the disease-causing protozoan for histomonosis, in 0.7% (3/435) of our samples. We detected LPDV proviral DNA in 88.7% (416/469) of our sample of frozen spleens. Our results suggest that evaluation of the impact of histomonosis on Wild Turkey populations is difficult through active surveillance alone. We detected proviral LPDV DNA in Wild Turkeys from nearly every county sampled in Alabama (53/56 counties); however, a generalized linear mixed model did not reveal a statistically significant relationship between LPDV and land cover type. Our findings demonstrate that LPDV is widely distributed with high rates of prevalence in Alabama. Because the effects of these two diseases and others on Wild Turkey population vital rates have not been well established, further work is warranted.</p>","PeriodicalId":17602,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Wildlife Diseases","volume":" ","pages":"135-146"},"PeriodicalIF":1.2,"publicationDate":"2026-02-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145372858","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":"Impacts of Microclimate on Probability of White-Nose Syndrome in Varying Hibernaculum Types.","authors":"Leah N Crowley, Nathan W Fuller, Samantha J Leivers, Catherine G Haase","doi":"10.7589/JWD-D-25-00041","DOIUrl":"10.7589/JWD-D-25-00041","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>White-nose syndrome (WNS) continues to compromise hibernating Perimyotis subflavus (tricolored bat) populations as it spreads across their geographic range in North America. Despite the presence of the causative agent, the fungus Pseudogymnoascus destructans (Pd), in hibernacula, some tricolored bat populations located near the southern extent of their hibernating range remain unaffected by WNS. We propose that disease progression is absent as these hibernacula, mainly highway culverts, are unsuitable for fungal growth because microclimates fall outside the growth limits of the fungus. Thus, this study investigated the role of hibernaculum microclimate in influencing potential Pd growth and subsequently a hibernaculum's capacity to be an environmental reservoir. We collected microclimate data from multiple types of hibernacula (caves, tunnels, and culverts) near the southern extent where Pd and tricolored bat ranges overlap. Analysis revealed differences in microclimates among hibernaculum types, with culverts exhibiting lower humidity over winter, resulting in reduced fungal growth compared with other hibernaculum types. Caves, which maintained optimal humidity for Pd, had the highest predicted cumulative fungal growth (3.53 cm2), more than double the estimated WNS morbidity threshold (1.54 cm2). The tunnel showed a similar pattern, with a maximum growth of 3.16 cm2. In contrast, culverts, with less suitable microclimates, had the lowest predicted fungal growth (1.78 cm2), only 15% above the morbidity threshold. Although previous research primarily focused on temperature, our findings suggest that relative humidity may be a critical factor, particularly near the southern extent of the geographic range of hibernating tricolored bats. These findings emphasize the importance of considering humidity alongside temperature when evaluating hibernaculum susceptibility to fungal invasion and WNS development. Understanding the impact of microclimate on disease dynamics and bat behavior is crucial for developing effective conservation strategies, particularly for tricolored bat populations near the southern extent of susceptible hibernating populations.</p>","PeriodicalId":17602,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Wildlife Diseases","volume":" ","pages":"76-86"},"PeriodicalIF":1.2,"publicationDate":"2026-02-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145513177","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":"Metallic Trace Elements Associated with Infectious Diseases in European Hedgehogs (Erinaceus europaeus) in Belgium.","authors":"Naomi Terriere, Valérie Miserez, Ellen Blomme, Sofie De Bruyckere, Joachim Neri, Siska Croubels, Muriel Vervaeke, Erik Meers, Frank Pasmans, An Martel","doi":"10.7589/JWD-D-25-00109","DOIUrl":"10.7589/JWD-D-25-00109","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Wild animals are increasingly exposed to a complex array of environmental stressors, including habitat fragmentation, pollution, and emerging infectious diseases, which can interact in unpredictable ways to influence animal health and survival. The European hedgehog (Erinaceus europaeus), recently classified as near threatened on the IUCN red list, faces many of these challenges. This study investigates the relationships between hepatic concentrations of metallic trace elements (MTEs) and health status in free-ranging Belgian hedgehogs, both juveniles and adults, with a focus on hedgehog diphtheric disease (HDD) and a novel circovirus. We analyzed liver samples for essential (zinc [Zn], copper [Cu]) and nonessential (lead [Pb], cadmium [Cd]) MTEs, comparing levels between healthy and affected individuals. Results showed generally moderate MTE levels (Cd: 2.88±4.27 mg/kg dry weight [dw]; Pb: 1.06±1.34 mg/kg dw; Cu: 31.53±39.01 mg/kg dw; Zn: 365.56±282.10 mg/kg dw) compared with other European populations, with the exception of markedly elevated hepatic Zn concentrations, particularly in adults (576.32±200.20 mg/kg dw). Notably, Zn levels were significantly higher in individuals affected by HDD, across both juvenile (P<0.001) and adult (P<0.01) age classes. Although high environmental Zn exposure may predispose hedgehogs to disease, elevated hepatic Zn could also reflect infection-driven redistribution due to inflammation and host immune responses. These findings align with broader evidence linking altered MTE profiles to disease processes in wildlife and suggest a complex, potentially bidirectional interaction between trace element homeostasis and infectious disease. This study highlights the importance of incorporating MTE dynamics into wildlife health surveillance, and suggests that Zn may serve as a potential indicator and mediator of disease in hedgehogs and other free-ranging species.</p>","PeriodicalId":17602,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Wildlife Diseases","volume":" ","pages":"101-113"},"PeriodicalIF":1.2,"publicationDate":"2026-02-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145724122","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":"Multiple Species of Protostrongylid Nematodes Occur in White-Tailed Deer (Odocoileus virginianus) across the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, USA.","authors":"Alec O Kraushaar, Eric P Hoberg, Kurt E Galbreath","doi":"10.7589/JWD-D-24-00195","DOIUrl":"10.7589/JWD-D-24-00195","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Isolation of protostrongylid larvae from white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) from northern Minnesota (n=60), Wisconsin (n=19), and Michigan (n=38), USA, and confirmation of species identities via DNA sequencing, revealed Parelaphostrongylus tenuis, Parelaphostrongylus andersoni, Varestrongylus cf. alpenae and five unidentified genetic lineages. This has implications for moose (Alces alces) conservation.</p>","PeriodicalId":17602,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Wildlife Diseases","volume":"62 1","pages":"253-256"},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2026-02-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146157747","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":"Myxidium anatidum in a Bald Eagle Haliaeetus leucocephalus from Western Canada.","authors":"Ursula G Perdrizet, Betty Lockerbie, Trent K Bollinger","doi":"10.7589/JWD-D-24-00221","DOIUrl":"10.7589/JWD-D-24-00221","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Liver changes in a Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) were associated with the presence of Myxidium anatidum. The myxozoan parasites were present in bile ducts. The genus and species were determined using an 18S rRNA PCR combined with sequencing of the product and a BLASTN search.</p>","PeriodicalId":17602,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Wildlife Diseases","volume":" ","pages":"257-259"},"PeriodicalIF":1.2,"publicationDate":"2026-02-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145292693","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":"Novel Gastric Helicobacter Species in Stranded Pygmy Sperm Whales (Kogia breviceps) on the East Coast of Florida, USA.","authors":"Wendy Marks, Jessy Castellanos-Gell, Steven B Tillis, Nicole Pegg, David Rotstein, Sushan Han, James F X Wellehan, April Childress, Steve Burton, Annie Page","doi":"10.7589/JWD-D-24-00204","DOIUrl":"10.7589/JWD-D-24-00204","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Gastric spirilliform bacteria consistent with Helicobacter spp. were identified in four pygmy sperm whales (Kogia breviceps) that stranded along the east coast of Florida, USA, during 2017-20. Six of nine (67%) stomach samples from PCR-positive cases contained spirilliform bacteria visible on histopathologic examination. Experimental PCR targeting Helicobacter-specific 16S rRNA gene sequences produced amplification in at least one gastric tissue sample (e.g., forestomach, fundus, pylorus) from all four cases. Three different novel Helicobacter sequences were identified in 13 samples from four whales. Helicobacter-positive samples could be classified into three novel sequences, Kogia Helicobacter 1, 2, and 3, represented by a common 572-base-pair region. All four whales in this study were infested with gastric nematodes and had one or more of the following histopathologic findings: gastritis, gastric ulceration, and gastric fibrosis. These lesions were not attributed as a cause of death in the whales but may have contributed to stranding via reduced fitness. This study reports three novel Helicobacter spp. bacteria identified in K. breviceps and expands the known host range of this genus. Further studies into these novel Helicobacter spp. should include additional pathologic and molecular characterization of the bacteria and any associated lesions.</p>","PeriodicalId":17602,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Wildlife Diseases","volume":" ","pages":"26-36"},"PeriodicalIF":1.2,"publicationDate":"2026-02-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145588037","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":"First Detection of Ranavirus Infection in Threatened Brazilian Anurans.","authors":"Mariana R Pontes, Joseph Trafford, Gonçalo M Rosa, Joice Ruggeri, Luís Felipe Toledo","doi":"10.7589/JWD-D-25-00096","DOIUrl":"10.7589/JWD-D-25-00096","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Amphibians are the most threatened vertebrate group worldwide, with emerging infectious diseases playing an important role in their ongoing declines. Although the amphibian chytrid fungus Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd) has received considerable attention, viruses of the genus Ranavirus (Rv) remain less explored, particularly in South America. In this study, we report the first detection of Rv in two threatened amphibian species from Brazil. Specifically, we found infected tadpoles of the redbelly toads Melanophryniscus admirabilis (1.4% prevalence) and Melanophryniscus biancae (24% prevalence) in the southern Brazilian Atlantic Forest. Our findings highlight the need for expanded surveillance and pathogen monitoring in threatened anuran populations, particularly those with limited geographic distributions and threatened with extinction. Understanding Rv dynamics and potential interactions with Bd and other stressors is essential to guiding future conservation strategies for Melanophryniscus spp. and other vulnerable amphibians in the Atlantic Forest biome.</p>","PeriodicalId":17602,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Wildlife Diseases","volume":" ","pages":"229-235"},"PeriodicalIF":1.2,"publicationDate":"2026-02-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145781046","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":"Regional Pathogen Surveillance of Free-Ranging Wild Turkeys (Meleagris gallopavo) in North Carolina, USA.","authors":"Adam C Edge, Christopher E Moorman, Krishna Pacifici, David J Moscicki, Nicole M Nemeth, Mark G Ruder, Elizabeth Kurimo-Beechuk, Marcelo H Jorge, Christopher A Cleveland, Kayla B Garrett, Melanie R Kunkel, Alec T Thompson, Kayla G Adcock, Christopher D Kreh, Hannah M Plumpton, Bret A Collier, Sonia M Hernandez, Michael J Yabsley","doi":"10.7589/JWD-D-25-00071","DOIUrl":"10.7589/JWD-D-25-00071","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Wild Turkeys (Meleagris gallopavo, hereafter turkeys), an important North American game species, have experienced declines throughout their eastern range. Growing concern over turkey population sustainability has renewed interest in investigating potential disease threats. We conducted pathogen surveillance in turkeys in three North Carolina, USA ecoregions-Mountains, Piedmont, and Coastal Plain-in 2020-22 to provide baseline data relevant to the southeastern USA. We collected samples from 586 live free-ranging turkeys plus 22 recaptured individuals (n=608: 194 males, 414 females; 159 juveniles, 449 adults) to test for exposure to or infection with selected pathogens. Molecular testing revealed infections with Haemoproteus spp. (57%), lymphoproliferative disease virus (LPDV; 46.8%), Mycoplasma spp. (39.8%), Leucocytozoon spp. (8.8%), and reticuloendotheliosis virus (REV; 3.4%). We detected antibodies to Toxoplasma gondii (21.3%), West Nile virus (WNV; 15.4%), and avian influenza virus (2.0%). No turkey coronavirus, Plasmodium, Borrelia, or Salmonella infections were detected. There were no prevalence differences between sexes, except for REV (females=5%, males=1%). Prevalence was higher in adults than in juveniles for LPDV (adult=52%, juvenile=33%), WNV (adult=19%, juvenile=6%), Haemoproteus (adult=60%, juvenile=49%), T. gondii (adult=24%, juvenile=14%), and Leucocytozoon (adult=11%, juvenile=3%). Prevalence of LPDV differed significantly across ecoregions, with the highest prevalence in the Piedmont (62%), followed by the Mountains (51%) and the Coastal Plain (27%). Prevalence of WNV antibodies was higher in the Piedmont (24%) than in the Mountains (8%). Haemoproteus and Leucocytozoon prevalence increased over a regional gradient, with detections of 24% and 0% in the Mountains, 65% and 6% in the Piedmont, and 85 and 21% in Coastal Plain, respectively. Mycoplasma spp. prevalence was higher in the Mountains (45%) and the Coastal Plain (47%) than in the Piedmont (27%). Our data highlighted sex-, age-, and region-based differences in prevalence for several pathogens, thereby enabling managers to tailor management strategies and researchers to investigate effects of these pathogens on turkey survival and movement.</p>","PeriodicalId":17602,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Wildlife Diseases","volume":"62 1","pages":"87-100"},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2026-02-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146157792","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":"Book Review.","authors":"Henry J Baker","doi":"10.7589/0090-3558-62.1.BR1","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.7589/0090-3558-62.1.BR1","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Book reviews express the opinions of the individual authors regarding the value of the book's content for Journal of Wildlife Diseases readers. The reviews are subjective assessments and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the editors, nor do they establish any official policy of the Wildlife Disease Association.</p>","PeriodicalId":17602,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Wildlife Diseases","volume":"62 1","pages":"264-266"},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2026-02-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148604210","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}