Lungworms in the Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep of western Canada

Uhazy, Leslie S.; Holmes, John C.; Stelfox, John G.

doi:10.1139/z73-122

Cited by 36 publications

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“…Median larvae counts are based on fecal samples collected May through August in each year. Although larval output in bighorn feces differs significantly between late winter/early spring and summer/fall (Uhazy et al, 1973;Goldstein et al, 2005), variation in fecal larvae counts between May and October was not significant (Uhazy et al, 1973). However, reported seasonal patterns differ among populations (Arnett et al, 1993); therefore, we tested for variation in fecal larvae counts among months (May-August) in each year.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 97%

“…Lungworm larval output in bighorn sheep feces may be related to infection intensity (Forrester and Senger, 1964;Uhazy et al, 1973), but is also likely to be influenced by a variety of other factors, such as the immune response of the host or density-dependence of parasite fecundity (Festa-Bianchet, 1991a;Wilson et al, 2002). Although sensitivity of indirect measures to detect prevalence may be low (Wilson et al, 2002), repeated sampling of known bighorn sheep revealed few false-negatives using fecal counts of lungworm larvae (Festa-Bianchet, 1991a).…”

Section: Bighorn Sheep Distribution and Fecal Analysismentioning

confidence: 99%

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Ecology of Gastropod and Bighorn Sheep Hosts of Lungworm on Isolated, Semiarid Mountain Ranges in Utah, Usa

Rogerson

Fairbanks

Cornicelli

2008

Journal of Wildlife Diseases

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ABSTRACT:Isolated, nonmigratory populations of bighorn sheep (Ovis canadensis) may experience high exposure to lungworms (Protostrongylus spp.) through a build-up of fecal material. However, semiarid climates may hinder lungworm transmission by limiting terrestrial gastropods, the intermediate hosts. We assessed potential for lungworm transmission, documented occurrence of transmission, and identified habitat types where transmission was likely to occur on ranges of two recently introduced populations of bighorn sheep in northern Utah. Gastropods were collected weekly on Antelope Island and the Newfoundland Mountains, May-August 2001-02, from each of the four major habitat types (riparian, rock, desert shrub, and grass). Distribution of 113 bighorn sheep groups was observed, and 421 fecal pellet groups were collected to estimate lungworm levels. A total of 1,595 gastropods representing five genera were collected from both ranges. Vallonia made up 85% of all gastropods collected. Of 980 gastropods collected on Antelope Island in 2002, only Vallonia were found infected with protostrongylid-type larvae (10 of 98051%). Lungworm prevalence in bighorn fecal samples was 97% on Antelope Island and 90% on the Newfoundland Mountains. Lungworm prevalence in lambs indicated lungworm transmission was occurring on Antelope Island. Lungworm transmission was likely occurring in riparian habitat due to abundant gastropods, presence of infected gastropods, and reliance by bighorn sheep on few water sources. Differences in spatial distribution between ram and nursery groups may partly explain higher fecal larvae counts in nursery than in ram groups. We suggest lungworm levels in bighorn sheep on semiarid ranges may increase in dry years as bighorn sheep concentrate use on fewer perennial water sources.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 97%

Section: Bighorn Sheep Distribution and Fecal Analysismentioning

confidence: 99%

Ecology of Gastropod and Bighorn Sheep Hosts of Lungworm on Isolated, Semiarid Mountain Ranges in Utah, Usa

Rogerson

Fairbanks

Cornicelli

2008

Journal of Wildlife Diseases

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“…Cyclical seasonal patterns of LPG occur in many bighorn sheep herds, but patterns vary geographically even in similar temperate zones (Uhazy et al, 1973;Arnett et al, 1993). Some studies have correlated precipitation and adult lungworm loads (Forrester and Littell, 1976), but others failed to demonstrate a relationship between precipitation and fecal larval load (Festa-Bianchet, 1991;Goldstein, 2001).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Relationships Among Fecal Lungworm Loads, Fecal Glucocorticoid Metabolites, and Lamb Recruitment in Free-Ranging Rocky Mountain Bighorn Sheep

Millspaugh

Washburn

Brundige

et al. 2005

Journal of Wildlife Diseases

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Most wild Rocky Mountain big-horn sheep (Ovis canadensis canadensis) in northern latitudes are infected with lungworms. Indirect effects of lungworms on bighorn sheep are unknown, but high pulmonary burdens might increase stress (i.e., elevated glucocorticoid levels), and chronic stress could in turn decrease fitness. We hypothesized that high lungworm burdens in Rocky Mountain bighorn ewes increase stress, thereby increasing lamb mortality. To test our hypothesis, one subherd of bighorn sheep in Custer State Park, South Dakota was provided a free-choice loose mineral mix containing the anthelmintic fenbendazole every six weeks from March 1999 to August 2000 to eliminate lungworms; another subherd served as the control. Daily, individually marked ewes were located telemetrically from the ground and uniquely marked animals were observed until they defecated. After the herd moved from the area, fecal samples were collected and stored at Ϫ23 C. A consistent number of samples per season per herd (xϭ16.56Ϯ3.99 samples) were collected. Fecal larval lungworm levels (LPG) in the treatment subherd were lower than levels in the control subherd; however, there was no difference in fecal glucocorticoid metabolite (FGM) levels between the two subherds. Fecal glucocorticoid metabolite levels varied by season in both subherds, with levels in winter lower than during the other three seasons. Lamb:ewe ratios were not different between the control and treatment subherds at the end of summer 1999. In contrast, the treatment group had a lower lamb:ewe ratio at the end of summer 2000 despite having lower LPG. However, this result was attributed to lower ewe production, not lower lamb survival. The LPG levels were not correlated with FGM concentrations; instead, FGM levels might reflect normal seasonal patterns. Other factors, including contagious ecthyma, were more important for determining lamb mortality than LPG and FGM levels during our study. We suggest further experimental work over a longer duration to address these relationships.

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“…Pulmonary compromise caused by Protostrongylus spp. in bighorn sheep has been implicated as a predisposing factor in bacterial and viral pneumonia outbreaks (Forrester 1971;Uhazy et al 1972;Spraker et al 1984), and infection with these parasites may decrease alveolar macrophage viability in vitro (Silflow and Foreyt 1988). Umingmakstrongylus pallikuukensis differs from these lungworms in that, in established infections, pathology seems to be localized to the cysts, leaving most of the lung tissue in adult muskoxen unaffected.…”

Section: Host-parasite Biologymentioning

confidence: 99%

Experimental infections of muskoxen (<i>Ovibos moschatus</i>) and domestic sheep with <i>Umingmakstrongylus pallikuukensis</i> (Nematoda: Protostrongylidae): parasite development, population structure, and pathology

Kutz¹,

Hoberg²,

Polley³

1999

Can. J. Zool.

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Three captive muskoxen (Ovibos moschatus) were successfully infected with third-stage larvae of Umingmakstrongylus pallikuukensis digested or emerged from the slugs Deroceras reticulatum and D. laeve, for the first time completing the life cycle of this parasite under experimental conditions. The course of parasite development and patency was followed for 26 months post infection (p.i.) using fecal examinations and radiography. The prepatent periods in two of the muskoxen were 91 and 95 days and the patent period in one extended for 23 months. Larval production peaked 13-14 months p.i. On postmortem of two of the muskoxen at months 14 and 26 p.i., adult parasites were found only within pulmonary cysts and cysts were randomly distributed between left and right lungs. Cyst dimensions were positively correlated with the number of adult parasites they contained. On postmortem of the third muskox at day 97 p.i., not all adult parasites were within typical cysts; two were found free in interlobular septa. Firststage larvae were recovered from lung cysts of this animal but not from feces. Lung pathology in all three muskoxen appeared localized and associated with the adult nematodes. Infection of two sheep with third-stage larvae of U. pallikuukensis did not result in parasite establishment.Résumé : Nous avons réussi à infecter trois Boeufs-musqués (Ovibos moschatus) en captivité au moyen de larves de troisième stade d'Umingmakstrongylus pallikuukensis digérées ou émergées de limaces Deroceras reticulatum et D. laeve, et c'est la première fois que tout le cycle de ce parasite se déroule avec succès dans des conditions expérimentales. Le développement du parasite et l'apparition des symptômes de l'infection ont été observés pendant 26 mois après le début de l'infection par examen des fèces et par radiographie. La période précédant l'apparition des symptômes a été évaluée à 91 et 95 jours chez deux boeufs-musqués et la période symptomatique a duré 23 mois chez l'un d'eux. La production de larves a atteint son maximum 13-14 mois après l'infection. L'examen postmortem de deux des animaux aux mois 14 et 26 de l'infection a révélé la présence de parasites adultes, mais seulement dans des kystes pulmonaires répartis au hasard dans les deux poumons. La taille de ces kystes était directement reliée au nombre de parasites adultes qu'ils contenaient. L'examen postmortem du troisième animal, au jour 97 de l'infection, a révélé que les parasites adultes n'étaient pas tous dans des kystes typiquees, puisque deux d'entre eux ont été trouvés libres dans les septums interlobulaires. Des larves de premier stade ont été repérées dans des kystes pulmonaires, mais pas dans les fèces. La pathologie de ces trois boeufs-musqués semblait bien localisée et associée à la présence des nématodes adultes. Les tentatives d'infection de trois ovidés au moyen de larves de troisième stade d'U. pallikuukensis ont échoué.[Traduit par la Rédaction] 1572 Kutz et al.

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Lungworms in the Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep of western Canada

Cited by 36 publications

References 0 publications

Ecology of Gastropod and Bighorn Sheep Hosts of Lungworm on Isolated, Semiarid Mountain Ranges in Utah, Usa

Ecology of Gastropod and Bighorn Sheep Hosts of Lungworm on Isolated, Semiarid Mountain Ranges in Utah, Usa

Relationships Among Fecal Lungworm Loads, Fecal Glucocorticoid Metabolites, and Lamb Recruitment in Free-Ranging Rocky Mountain Bighorn Sheep

Experimental infections of muskoxen (<i>Ovibos moschatus</i>) and domestic sheep with <i>Umingmakstrongylus pallikuukensis</i> (Nematoda: Protostrongylidae): parasite development, population structure, and pathology

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