Molecular Survey on Vector-Borne Pathogens in Alpine Wild Carnivorans

Abstract

In Europe, free-ranging wildlife has been linked to the emergence of several vector-borne diseases such as rodents for Borrelia burgdorferi s.l. In particular, wild carnivorans are one of the most important sources of emerging zoonotic pathogens worldwide, although little information is available regarding the epidemiology of vector-borne parasites in these animals. Thus, the aim of this paper was to investigate the prevalence of Babesia spp., Anaplasma spp., Ehrlichia spp., Hepatozoon spp. and Leishmania infantum in alpine wild canids and mustelids from Italy. For this study, spleen samples of 157 foxes (Vulpes vulpes), 45 badgers (Meles meles), and 33 wolves (Canis lupus) collected between 2009 and 2017 in Northwest Italy were examined by using conventional PCR. Logistic regression was used to identify possible risk factors for pathogen infections. DNA of any of the tested pathogens was found in more than 90% of the analyzed animals. In particular, Babesia spp. showed significantly higher prevalence in foxes (89.7%) and badgers (89.6%) than in wolves, while the latter were considerably more infected with Hepatozoon canis (75.8%) than foxes (5.1%). None of the badger tested positive for Hepatozoon spp., although they showed high prevalence of Leishmania infantum (53.3%). Sequencing results revealed the presence, among others, of Babesia vulpes, Babesia sp. isolate badger type A and B, and Anaplasma phagocytophilum. Moreover, previously unreported pathogen/host associations were observed, such as Babesia capreoli in wolves and badgers. The prevalence of vector-borne pathogens observed in the present study is one of the highest reported so far, suggesting the importance of free-ranging carnivorans in the epidemiology and maintenance of the sylvatic cycle of the pathogens. Moreover, several of these pathogens are of particular importance regarding human (A. phagocytophilum, L. infantum) and pet health (L. infantum, B. vulpes).

Exposure to animal suffering, adult attachment styles, and professional quality of life in a sample of Italian veterinarians

“…Although not directly comparable, present results about ProQoL are consistent with previous results indicating that veterinarians score higher on compassion satisfaction than on dimensions linking to compassion fatigue [29,109,111]. As concerns demographic variables, according to other studies [10,15], SEM results showed that females reported a higher risk of experiencing negative outcomes, such as compassion fatigue and burnout.…”

Molecular Detection of Arthropod-Borne Pathogens in Eurasian Badgers (Meles meles) from the United Kingdom

“…infections are both found in domestic animals and wildlife in Great Britain and A. phagocytophilum was detected in 0.74% of ixodid ticks collected from British dogs [37]. However, as in this study, A. phagocytophilum was not detected in badgers in The Netherlands, Czech Republic, and Spain and only a low prevalence was observed among badgers in another study conducted in Belgium and The Netherlands, as well as in Italy, suggesting badgers do not play a significant epidemiological role in this infection ( [32] and references therein). A previous survey found what appeared to be a novel Bartonella sp., most closely related to B. clarridgeiae, in 12% of badgers in northern Spain [38].…”

“…A novel Ehrlichia sp. was found in a badger in Northern Spain [31] and isolates recently obtained from Italian badgers showed 99% similarity with it [32]. C. burnetii infection is endemic in British livestock, and seropositivity is common in people working with them.…”

“…Lately, Babesia sp. was identified in badgers in Hungary [9,44], Korea (although in this case without molecular investigation) [48] and very recently also in Italy [32,49]. In addition, a few Babesia sequences not referred to in any publication are also deposited in GenBank.…”

“…Moreover, the finding of badger-associated Babesia sp. "type A" in a wild cat in Bosnia and Herzegovina [28], and recently in a grey wolf in Italy [49] and in six dogs in Hungary, one with relevant clinical signs [44], demonstrates the possibility of infection of a broad range of carnivore hosts and highlights the circulation of these species within the order Caniformia [32]. Walking in woodlands and hunting activities were identified as risk factors for dogs as these are associated with infestation with ticks [44].…”