Elaeophorosis in White-Tailed Deer: Pathology of the Natural Disease and Its Relation to Oral Food Impactions

Couvillion, C. E.; Nettles, Victor F.; Rawlings, Clarence A.; Joyner, R. L.

doi:10.7589/0090-3558-22.2.214

Cited by 10 publications

(7 citation statements)

References 12 publications

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“…Recent observations have raised suspicions that Elaeophora schneideri (Spirurida: Onchocercidae), another pathogenic nematode of moose [ 18 – 20 ], may be present in the Minnesota cervid population. Reports of white-tailed deer in Minnesota exhibiting facial swellings consistent with oral food impactions and cropped ears (E. Butler, personal communication) are similar to what have been previously described in E. schneideri- infected deer [ 21 ]. In addition, there were multiple reports of moose in the northeast region of the state with poor antler development or impaired vision due to unknown causes (E. Butler, personal communication) but consistent with clinical signs and lesions previously observed in moose infected with E. schneideri [ 18 ].…”

Section: Introductionsupporting

confidence: 54%

“…Elaeophorosis is characterized by obstructed blood flow, endothelial damage, thrombosis, and infarction due to the presence of nematodes in the carotid and cephalic arterial system [ 18 , 30 , 31 ]. This disruption in arterial circulation can lead to blindness; ischemic necrosis of the brain, ears, muzzle and other cephalic tissues; poor antler development; oral food impactions; and death [ 18 – 21 , 30 , 32 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Emergence of the arterial worm Elaeophora schneideri in moose (Alces alces) and tabanid fly vectors in northeastern Minnesota, USA

Grunenwald

Butler²,

Wünschmann

et al. 2018

Parasites Vectors

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BackgroundMoose (Alces alces) are a culturally and economically valued species in Minnesota. However, the moose population has experienced a sudden, marked decline in their range, including extirpation in the northwest and a 66% decline in the last decade in the northeast portions of the state. Although the exact cause of this decline is unclear, parasitic metastrongylid and filarioid nematode infections are known causes of morbidity and mortality in moose across North America.MethodsTo determine if these parasitic nematodes could be contributing to the Minnesota moose population decline, we molecularly examined banked tissues obtained from moose that died of known and unknown causes for the presence of nematode DNA. Extracted brain DNA of 34 individual moose was amplified utilizing primers targeting the 18S rRNA gene and internal transcribed spacer regions of nematodes.ResultsDNA sequencing revealed that PCR products obtained from 15 (44.1%) of the moose were 99% identical to Parelaphostrongylus tenuis, a metastrongylid known to cause neurological disease and death. Additionally, brain tissue from 20 (58.8%) individuals yielded sequences that most closely aligned with Elaeophora schneideri, a parasite associated with neurological impairment but previously unreported in Minnesota. Setaria yehi, a common filarioid parasite of deer, was also detected in the brain tissue of 5 (14.7%) moose. Molecular screening of 618 captured tabanid flies from four trapping sites revealed E. schneideri was present (6%) in the Minnesota environment and transmission could occur locally. Prevalence rates among the flies ranged between 0–100% per trapping site, with Chrysops spp. and Hybomitra spp. implicated as the vectors.ConclusionsUltimately, these data confirm that P. tenuis is widespread in the Minnesota moose population and raises the question of the significance of E. schneideri as a contributing factor to morbidity and mortality in moose.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (10.1186/s13071-018-3077-0) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

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Section: Introductionsupporting

confidence: 54%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Emergence of the arterial worm Elaeophora schneideri in moose (Alces alces) and tabanid fly vectors in northeastern Minnesota, USA

Grunenwald

Butler²,

Wünschmann

et al. 2018

Parasites Vectors

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“…White-tailed deer are a well-studied wild ruminant due to their popularity as a game species [ 39 ]. While proper management has significantly improved their numbers, they are continually threatened by pathogens such as Haemonchus contortus [ 73 , 74 ], Elaeophora [ 19 ], and the epizootic hemorrhagic disease virus and bluetongue virus [ 28 ]. These diseases can have significant impacts on deer populations and a deeper understanding of factors that influence susceptibility to these diseases is crucial to managing their populations.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Characterization of two MHC II genes (DOB, DRB) in white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus)

et al. 2020

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Background The major histocompatibility complex (MHC) is responsible for detecting and addressing foreign pathogens inside the body. While the general structure of MHC genes is relatively well conserved among mammalian species, it is notably different among ruminants due to a chromosomal inversion that splits MHC type II genes into two subregions (IIa, IIb). Recombination rates are reportedly high between these subregions, and a lack of linkage has been documented in domestic ruminants. However, no study has yet examined the degree of linkage between these subregions in a wild ruminant. The white-tailed deer ( Odocoileus virginianus ), a popular ruminant of the Cervidae family, is habitually plagued by pathogens in its natural environment (e.g. Haemonchus contortus , Elaeophora ). Due to the association between MHC haplotypes and disease susceptibility, a deeper understanding of MHC polymorphism and linkage between MHC genes can further aid in this species’ successful management. We sequenced MHC-DRB exon 2 (IIa) and MHC-DOB exon 2 (IIb) on the MiSeq platform from an enclosed white-tailed deer population located in Alabama. Results We identified 12 new MHC-DRB alleles, and resampled 7 alleles, which along with other published alleles brings the total number of documented alleles in white-tailed deer to 30 for MHC-DRB exon 2. The first examination of MHC-DOB in white-tailed deer found significantly less polymorphism (11 alleles), as was expected of a non-classical MHC gene. While MHC-DRB was found to be under positive, diversifying selection, MHC-DOB was found to be under purifying selection for white-tailed deer. We found no significant linkage disequilibrium between MHC-DRB and MHC-DOB , suggesting that these loci are unlikely to be closely linked. Conclusions Overall, this study identified 12 new MHC-DRB exon 2 alleles and characterized a new, non-classical, MHC II gene ( MHC-DOB ) for white-tailed deer. We also found a lack of significant linkage between these two loci, which supports previous findings of a chromosomal inversion within the MHC type II gene region in ruminants, and suggests that white-tailed deer may have a recombination hotspot between these MHC regions similar to that found for Bos taurus .

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“…aoudad; Ammotragus lervia ), bighorn sheep ( Ovis canadensis ), sika deer ( Cervus nippon ), and domestic sheep and goats, can result in the development of elaeophorosis. 1,3–5,14–18,21…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Elaeophora in the meninges of a Malayan sambar (Rusa unicolor equina)

et al. 2016

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An adult nematode was grossly identified in the meninges of a Malayan sambar (Rusa unicolor equina), with numerous microfilariae associated with encephalitis and vasculitis on histopathology. The nematode was confirmed to be Elaeophora schneideri by sequencing a portion of the 18S rRNA gene. Our report highlights the potential for aberrant migration of E. schneideri in exotic deer species and the use of advanced testing to specifically identify this metazoan parasite, avoiding misidentification of Parelaphostrongylus tenuis.

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Elaeophorosis in White-Tailed Deer: Pathology of the Natural Disease and Its Relation to Oral Food Impactions

Cited by 10 publications

References 12 publications

Emergence of the arterial worm Elaeophora schneideri in moose (Alces alces) and tabanid fly vectors in northeastern Minnesota, USA

Emergence of the arterial worm Elaeophora schneideri in moose (Alces alces) and tabanid fly vectors in northeastern Minnesota, USA

Characterization of two MHC II genes (DOB, DRB) in white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus)

Elaeophora in the meninges of a Malayan sambar (Rusa unicolor equina)

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