Sarcoptic mange in red deer from Spain: Improved surveillance or disease emergence?

Abstract

Concern about emerging diseases has risen in recent years, and multihost situations have become increasingly relevant for wildlife management and conservation. We present data on Asturias, northern Spain, where 80 mangy red deer (Cervus elaphus) have been found since the beginning of the epizootic in chamois (Rupicapra pyrenaica parva) in 1993. We combine field and necropsy data with the results of a serosurvey using an in-house ELISA test to evaluate if deer mange due to Sarcoptes scabiei is an emerging disease in this area. The mean number of deer mange cases per year was 5, with a maximum of 16. No significant relationship was detected between monthly temperatures, rainfall or number of days with snow cover and the annual number of sarcoptic mange cases in red deer. Only 4 mangy red deer (5%) were detected outside the limits of scabietic chamois distribution during the same year, and all were less than 2500 m away from that limit. The longest distance reported between two consecutive mangy deer locations was 18 km. Mange cases were significantly more frequent in stags than in hinds and in adults than in juvenile deer. The time of the first mange detection in chamois in each sector, year with minimum number of chamois recorded, year with maximum chamois population decline rate and chamois density offered no significant correlation with red deer mange cases appearance moment and frequency. In the mange affected area, ELISA testing of 327 blood samples from hunter-harvested deer without obvious mange-compatible lesions revealed only 4 seropositive animals. All 83 sera from hunting preserves without clinical cases yielded negative ELISA results. According to these epidemiological data mange does not seem to threaten red deer populations in Asturias. However, continued monitoring of deer health and ELISA testing for sarcoptic mange is advisable. #

Prevalence of antibodies against selected agents shared between Cantabrian chamois (Rupicapra pyrenaica parva) and domestic goats

“…This test detects the Ssλ20 antigen of the parasite, located in the mite's organs, the integument of the epidermis, and the spaces surrounding its vital organs (Casais et al 2007). This test was characterized by 100% sensitivity and 97% specificity in both red deer and southern chamois (Casais et al 2007), although field trials of the test in red deer revealed a slight decrease of specificity (97%) but a stronger decrease of sensitivity, which was 75% (Oleaga et al 2008).…”

Evaluation of an ELISA using recombinant Ssλ20ΔB3 antigen for the serological diagnosis of Sarcoptes scabiei infestation in domestic and wild rabbits

“…Previous studies have demonstrated that varieties of S. scabiei share common antigens which are recognized by antibodies of different species (Arlian et al, 1996). This ELISA has demonstrated specific antibodies to S. scabiei Ss20 B3 antigen in sera from mangy chamois, red deer, goats, pigs, and rabbits (Casais et al, 2007Oleaga et al, 2008;Falconi et al, 2010). The choice of assay format that we have selected responds to the small amount of antigen required (100 ng/well), its ease of production without using live animals and the good repeatability afforded by our recombinant antigen ELISA.…”

“…Sera were tested by an indirect ELISA (Casais et al, 2007), based on the S. scabiei recombinant antigen Ss20 B3 previously used for the immunodiagnosis of S. scabiei in different animal species (Casais et al, 2007Oleaga et al, 2008;Falconi et al, 2010). The ELISA was adapted for the diagnosis of the disease in rabbits by determining the optimal concentration of coating antigen, serum samples and conjugate (horseradish peroxidase-conjugated Protein A) performing a preliminary checkerboard titration using reference sera samples.…”

Risk assessment of bearded vulture ( Gypaetus barbatus ) exposure to topical antiparasitics used in livestock within an ecotoxicovigilance framework

“…In the UK, the surveillance of veterinary treatment residues in 643 sheep kidney fat samples in 1999 showed the presence of diazinon and propetamphos in 11 and 9 samples, respectively, with levels as high as 150 ng/g in the case of diazion (VMD, 2000). Such information highlights the need for further monitoring of antiparasitics in livestock carcasses left in the field for vultures or supplied at feeding stations; especially given that recent epizootics of mange in wild ungulates in Northern Spain (Oleaga et al, 2008) may result in higher use of antiparasitics in sheep and goat in future.…”