A survey of shared pathogens at the domestic–wild ruminants’ interface in Doñana National Park (Spain)

Abstract

A cross‐sectional study was carried out to evaluate shared pathogens that can be transmitted by close or non‐close contact at the domestic–wild ruminants’ interface. During summer–autumn 2015, a total of 138 cattle and 203 wild ruminants (red deer, Cervus elaphus, and fallow deer, Dama dama) were sampled in Doñana National Park (DNP, south‐western Spain), a Mediterranean ecosystem well known for the interaction network occurring in the ungulate host community. Pestiviruses, bovine respiratory syncytial virus (BRSV; Bovine orthopneumovirus), bovine herpesvirus 1 (BoHV‐1; Bovine alphaherpesvirus 1) and Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex (MTC) were assessed using serological, microbiological and molecular techniques. The overall seroprevalence against viruses in cattle was 2.2% for pestiviruses, 11.6% for BRSV and 27.5% for BoHV‐1. No virus‐specific antibodies were found in wildlife. MTC incidence in cattle was 15.9%, and MTC seroprevalence in wild ruminants was 14.3%. The same Mycobacterium bovis spoligotypes (SB1232, SB1230 and SB1610) were identified in cattle, red deer and fallow deer. The serological results for the selected respiratory viruses suggest epidemiological cycles only in cattle. Surveillance efforts in multi‐host epidemiological scenarios are needed to better drive and prioritize control strategies for shared pathogens.

Characterization and management of interaction risks between livestock and wild ungulates on outdoor pig farms in Spain

“…These studies have highlighted that (1) indirect interactions between wild and domestic ungulates are more significant than direct ones, (2) the availability of natural resources (mainly water, but also food) is an important risk factor for the occurrence of interactions, (3) the times of greatest risk are late summer-early autumn and twilight, and (4) the (over)abundance of wild ungulates and livestock overload are important determinants of the frequency of interspecific interactions. The occurrence of several shared infections at the wildlife-livestock interface has also been surveyed in this scenario, supporting previous ecological and epidemiological findings [15][16][17].…”

Determinants of Crimean–Congo haemorrhagic fever virus exposure dynamics in Mediterranean environments

“…Wild ungulate population control is carried out by the park's environment agents annually through driven hunts. DNP is divided into a series of livestock management units (LMU) whose boundaries are fitted with livestock fencing that does not prevent wildlife movements (see Jiménez‐Ruiz et al., 2022 ).…”

Molecular Characterisation and Antibody Response to Bovine Respiratory Syncytial Virus in Vaccinated and Infected Cattle in Turkey

“…In the present study, antibody response to vaccination and infection was investigated using ELISA. Other studies have detected the seroprevalance of BRSV in Europe as between 11.6% to 100%; the rate was 11.6% in Spain [ 42 ], 69.1% in Italy [ 10 ], and 100% in Ireland [ 43 , 44 ]. It has been emphasized that low prevalence is correlated with the presence of maternal antibodies, while high prevalence (90%) is associated with a history of pneumonia [ 44 ].…”