Seroprevalence of Infectious Disease Agents in Free-Ranging Florida Panthers (Felis Concolor Coryi)

Abstract

Serum samples obtained from 38 free-ranging Florida panthers (Felis concolor coryi) in southern Florida, March 1978 through February 1991, were tested for antibodies against eight bacterial, parasitic, and viral disease agents. Sera were positive for antibodies against feline panleukopenia virus (FPV) (78%), feline calicivirus (56%), feline immunodeficiency virus/puma lentivirus (37%), feline enteric coronavirus/feline infectious peritonitis virus (19%), and Toxoplasma gondii (9%). All samples were seronegative for Brucella spp., feline rhinotracheitis virus, and pseudorabies virus. In addition, all the animals tested were negative for feline leukemia virus p27 antigen as determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Feline panleukopenia virus was considered to be a potentially significant disease agent; FPV antibodies occurred in the highest prevalences in older age classes (P = 0.027) and in panthers living in the dense mixed hardwood swamps in the western portion of their range compared to the open cypress and sawgrass prairies to the east (P = 0.096). Because < 50 animals remain in this relict population and the probable resultant depression of genetic diversity and lowered disease resistance, FPV or other disease agents could contribute to the extinction of this endangered subspecies.

Risk Factors for Exposure to Feline Pathogens in California Mountain Lions (Puma Concolor)

“…Thus the high antibody prevalence in this study suggests that, at least in some areas, there is considerable immunity, indicating that many mountain lions have been exposed but are now protected against this pathogen. High exposure to FPV is commonly reported in wild felids in North America, including California mountain lions (Paul-Murphy et al, 1994) and Florida panthers (Puma concolor coryi; Roelke et al, 1993). Although we did not detect statistically significant spatial clusters of FPV exposure, there appears to be high antibody prevalence north of the San Francisco Bay area, in Sonoma, Mendocino, and Napa counties, suggesting high levels of population immunity in this region.…”

“…Often, kittens are infected periparturiently, as the stress of parturition induces recrudescence and efficient viral shedding of the dam. Prior studies in large North American felids found no exposure to FHV (Roelke et al, 1993;Riley et al, 2004); however an earlier study in California showed 19% antibody prevalence in mountain lions (Paul-Murphy et al 1994). For both FCV and FHV, further investigation to isolate and characterize these pathogens from mountain lions and evaluate the clinical impact of infections in these species is warranted.…”

“…In our study, FCV was the second most common pathogen to which mountain lions were exposed with an antibody prevalence of 33%, likely due to high infectivity and contact between individuals. Other studies showed 17% exposure in California mountain lions (Paul-Murphy et al, 1994), and 56% exposure in Florida panthers (Roelke et al, 1993). Domestic cats are often infected with FCV, and FCV is one of the main causes of morbidity in dense cat populations found, for example, in shelters (Bannasch and Foley, 2005), but the extent of transmission between cats and mountain lions is not known.…”

Feline Leukemia Virus in a Captive Bobcat

“…Serologic surveys of free-living mountain lions (Felis concolor) in California and Florida panthers (Felis concolor) indicate an absence of exposure to FeLV (Roelke et al, 1993;Paul-Murphy et al, 1994). In addition, a study by Osofsky et al (1996) indicates that FeLV also is not enzootic in free-living African felids from Botswana.…”

Causes of Mortality in Reintroduced Eurasian Lynx in Switzerland

“…Published reports of similar investigations on wild feline populations are rare (Watson et al, 1981;Heidt et al, 1988;Roelke et al, 1993). Causes of mortality in free-ranging Eurasian lynx also rarely have been documented until now (Stahl and Vandel, 1999).…”