Evidence of Mycobacterium avium subsp . paratuberculosis (MAP) infection in huemul deer ( Hippocamelus bisulcus ) in patagonian fjords

Abstract

ABSTRACT. In the Chilean coastal Patagonia, fourteen wild deer huemul faecal pellet samples were collected and cultured for Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis detection. Six samples were positive, but only one was able to show a molecular type similar to the most common strain reported for cattle in Chile.

Knowledge about bacterial and viral pathogens present in wild mammals in Chile: a systematic review

“…MAP-infected guanacos did not display any health-related issues and European hares did not present microscopic or macroscopic lesions associated with the infection 65, 68 . In the case of the huemul, the bacterium presented similar molecular characteristics to MAP isolates commonly reported in livestock in Chile, suggesting that the latter are spreading the infection to huemul populations 70 . The situation is concerning for this endangered deer species, particularly in central Chile, where the population of huemuls is facing severe conservation issues and its habitat is being disturbed by the presence of domestic animals 71 .…”

“…Bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV) was detected in the southern pudu and two Chilean huemuls were found to be exposed to the virus 88,89 . Similar to MAP, BVDV isolates from the southern pudu share molecular characteristics with viruses circulating in cattle, suggesting that livestock are acting as disseminators of pathogens to native wildlife in Chile 70,88 . Other pathogens present in livestock, such as bovine rhinotracheitis virus (BoHV-1) and Brucella spp., were assessed in the Chilean huemul using serological methods, but no individual were found to be exposed 89 .…”

“…The interaction among livestock and wild species not only occurs in anthropogenically disturbed zones, but also in protected natural areas of Chile 71,106 . Pathogens, such as MAP, BVDV and Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis, are being transmitted from farm animals to wild ungulates facing conservation issues 70,88,107 . For this reason, it is extremely relevant to understand the consequences that these infectious agents might have on the health of the affected species and the existent mechanisms for the transmission of diseases between livestock animals and wildlife.…”

Conocimiento acerca de los patógenos virales y bacterianos presentes en mamíferos silvestres en Chile: una revisión sistemática

“…Los cérvidos nativos han sido reportados como prevalentes a la infección con MAP 66,70 . Por ejemplo, infecciones con MAP son documentadas en el huemul (Hippocamelus bisulcus) en el sur de Chile 70 .…”

“…Los cérvidos nativos han sido reportados como prevalentes a la infección con MAP 66,70 . Por ejemplo, infecciones con MAP son documentadas en el huemul (Hippocamelus bisulcus) en el sur de Chile 70 . En este caso, el aislado obtenido de un huemul poseía características moleculares similares a aislados de MAP reportados comúnmente en el ganado en Chile, lo que sugiere fuertemente que estos animales serían responsables de transmitir la infección a los huemules 70 .…”